Developmental Highlights
At 9 months…
- Smile and laugh while looking at you
- Turn to sounds they hear
- Reach for toys or other items they want
- Make vocalizations to get your attention or help
At 12 months…
- Respond to their name
- Understand simple directions with gestures
- Use gestures like giving, pointing, and showing
- Use sounds and maybe a few words
- Play social games like peek-a-boo
- Respond to “no”
- Try to imitate sounds and gestures
- Show you things that interest them
At 18 months…
- Use at least 10 words
- Make more than 5 different consonant sounds
- Imitate words they hear
- Identify body parts when named
- Do early pretend play actions like feeing dolls or stuffed animals
At 24 months…
- Use at least 50 words
- Say simple sentences like daddy go work and what’s that?
- Put many pretend play actions together
- Recognize pictures in books and listen to simple stories
- More excited about the company of other children
- Begins to sort by shapes and colors
- Follows simple instructions
- Imitates behavior of others, especially adults and older children
At 36 months…
- Expresses affection openly
- Follow a two- or three- part command
- Understands most sentences
- Uses 4- to 5- word sentences
- Can take turns in games