helping families develop their childs potential.

By 4 years

My child...

can match some objects / colors, can count up to 10
(may use blocks, spoons), can point to numbers
is using past tense (rolled, handed), can speak
clearly (be understood by others), knows 4-8 actions
will smile/laugh at funny pictures, can play well
with other children, realizes when a person is hurt or
needs help
can lace shoes, can buckle a belt, can use a fork
(holds it with her fingers)
can run, can balance on 1 foot, can cut along a line


By 4 1/2 years

My child...

can repeat 4 numbers, matches things that are related,
can pick out which group has more balls, more cups

can tell you why, or can say what made something
happen, is using 5-6 word sentences, can name 4 colors

can share, can take turns, calls attention to what he
can do

can help to serve self, can clean up spills, can dress
with no help

can swing self on swing, can hop well on each foot, can
kick large ball with success, can connect dots on paper

By 5 years


My child...

can name 3 coins, can define 5 words, can count 4 or
more things and answer how many?

can talk with others, can match a spoken word to
a picture, can tell you what is the same or different
(between shapes, toys, pictures on cards)

can tell you her birthday, can name 2 feelings (happy,
sad), can tell you the difference between realand
make-believe

can put on t-shirt, knows front fromback of clothing,
can brush his teeth

can catch a bounced ball, can skip, can march in time
to music, can copy a cross (+), can draw a person
(stick figure with 3-6 parts such as lines & circles for
arms, legs, head, fingers)

Ten Tips
for raising happier, healthier children



Be warm,
loving and
responsive



Respond to
the childs
cues and
clues


Talk, sing
and read to
your child



Establish
rituals and
routines


Encourage
safe new
experiences
and play
When children receive warm, loving care, they are more likely to
feel safe and secure with the adults who take care of them.


Recognize and respond to sounds, movements and expressions
that your child makes. This will help your child feel secure
and attached.



All of these things help your childs brain make connections it
needs for growing and learning nowand for learning later on.


Teach your child to knowwhen its time for bed by developing
routines such as singing a song and pulling the curtainsdaily
routines and rituals associated with pleasurable feelings are
reassuring for children.


As infants grow, they begin to explore the world beyond their
caregivers. Encourage this exploration. While we may think of learning
as simply acquiring facts, children actually learn through play.

























If you didn t have a on each line
in your childs age groupor if you
have any concernscall your local


Make
television
watching
selective

Use
discipline
as an
opportunity
to teach


Recognize
that each
child is
unique


Choose
quality child
care and stay
involved


Take care
of yourself
Watch television with your child, and talk about what you are
viewing. Dont use TV as a baby-sitter.



In addition to consistent and loving supervision, teach your child
limits. Never hit or shake a child.



Children growat different rates. Their needs and feelings about
themselves reflect, in large measure, parents and caregivers
attitudes toward them.


Visit your child care provider often, and seek someone who
responds warmly and understands your babys needs.


Parents need care too. When you are exhausted, irritable,
depressed or overwhelmed, you may have a harder time
meeting the needs of young children.








Every child grows and learns new things at his or her own pace. Children may
vary by as much as 6 months in some of the things that they are able to do. If you
have any concerns about your childs development, call Early Intervention (EI).





OF F I C E OF C HI L D DE VE LOP ME NT
AND E AR LY LE AR NI NG





Funding for Early Intervention is provided through Pennsylvania OCDEL (Office of Child Development and Early Learning),
your local county OMR offices of developmental services, Intermediate Units, and state/local contracted EI agencies.
Statewide CONNECT line: 1-800-692-7288

EI programs or CONNECT
1-800-692-7288 and talk
with one of our
child specialists!
Ten Tips was developed by the national I Am Your Child campaign. Their
goal is to make early childhood development a top priority for our nation.

For more information on what parents and caregivers can do to promote youngchildrens
healthy development, visit the I Am Your Child website (www.iamyourchild.org), or write
to: I Am Your Child, P.O. 15605, Beverly Hills, CA 90209

WatchMeGrow brochurewasdevelopedinPhiladelphiathroughthecollaborationof: Public HealthManagement
Corporation/ChildLink (PHMC), PhiladelphiaMental RetardationServices(MRS), PhiladelphiaDepartment of Public
Health(PDPH), andthePhiladelphiaInteragencyCoordinatingCouncil (PICC). Milestonesfor Birth5weredrawnfrom
anumber of standardizeddevelopmental testsfor infants, toddlersandyoungchildren. Graphic designbyTrinhLoi.








AvailableinOther Languages Arabic, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, Korean,
Vietnamese, Khmer-Cambodian, Russian, andHaitianCreole.


Birth - 3 months
My child...
knows my face, can turn her head to watch a toy
move, can smile
makes cooing sounds (ooo, aah), moves around at
the sound of my voice, can chuckle (huh,huh,huh)
watches the person talking to him, can follow me
with his eyes, can show he is happy or upset
can suck her fingers or fist, can hold on to moms
finger when nursing, or pat the bottle during feeding
can lift his head, is beginning to roll over (onto his
back), will hold a rattle briefly

3 - 6 months

My child...
likes to watch her own hands and looks at other things
around her, gets quiet when hears a voice, can reach
for or bang a toy
can babble (da, ba, mmm), can laugh, will look toward
a noise
can smile if you smile at him, can get upset at the loss
of a toy, responds more to me than others
wants to try food other than milk, seems excited when
about to be fed, can suck or close lips on spoon to
get food
can bring both hands to center, can play with her
toes, can hold head up, can roll (fromback to tummy)

6 - 9 months
My child...
can roll a ball, will drop a toy and look for it, will
repeat actions that make noise
will stop briefly if told no, can imitate sounds,
when he hears his name may turn head or look at
me or smile
likes to play with a toy, can copy me (wave bye-bye,
play so-big), may want me to stay close by, will
pull back froma stranger
can use a cup with help, can move things from
one hand to other, can feed self (with fingers)
can sit up, can creep or crawl on belly, bounces
on her legs (not stiff-legged), can pull up to stand


1. Look for your childs age group(s).
2. If your child can do at least 2




My child...
9 - 12 months



My child...
21 - 24 months
things listed on a line, put a .
3. Each

means your child is doing
things typical of his/her age.
4. If you have box(es) with no

call
CONNECT or your local EI program.
can point at things, likes to bang toys on a table, can shake
and drop toys, enjoys looking at picture books
understands a few words besides mama, dada,will hand
me a toy if asked, can copy sounds (clicking tongue,
coughing)
will repeat actions to get a laugh, gives a hug, plays near
other children, likes peek-a-boo
is starting to chew, is starting to push, poke at and pull
things, is drooling less (unless teething), is messy and
likes fingerfoods
is starting to stand alone, can crawl fast, can take a few
steps, can throw a ball or bean bag

12 - 15 months

can build a tower of 6 blocks or cans, can help put things
away, can match sounds to animals
can say several words and be understood, knows more
than 20 words, is using 2 words together (more juice)
likes to hear stories, can play by self (for short time), likes
things that are funny, can be warmand responsive,
shows independence (me do it,no)
can use a spoon well, can use a cup and set it down with
little spilling, tries to put her own shoes on
can jump off floor with both feet, can hold a glass in one
hand, is beginning to draw (in big circles)

By 2 1/2 years

My child...
can build a stack of 2-3 blocks or cans, is using more
hand motions for what he wants, will pat pictures
in books
is starting to say several words, makes noises as if
she was talking, will try to find things if asked wheres
the....?
can roll a ball back to me, can copy things he sees
me do, prefers some toys over others
can help turn pages, can help when I dress her, can use
a spoon (with spilling)
can walk, can climb stairs (on hands and knees), can
pick up tiny things like Cheerios (using thumb and finger)
My child...

enjoys pretending (feeding doll, using a block to pretend
it is a phone), knows 3 objects (what do we do with a
key, a car?) or 3 body parts by what they do (what do
you see with?)

can use 3-word sentences (me go too), may get upset
if not understood, can ask simple questions

can help put toys away, may move slowly to get
something done, can find it hard to wait for things

can brush teeth with help, can put on simple clothes,
pull up pants (with help), can wash and dry own hands

can run well, can walk on tiptoes, can hold a crayon with
fingers, can turn pages one at a time

By 3 years



My child...
15 - 18 months

My child...

can copy what I do (blink eyes, pat cheek), can solve
can name one picture, will find a toy I hid under
something, explores drawers/cabinets
can say 5-6 words, will point to pictures in a book as
I say them, can follow a direction (will point to
something, will get a ball)
likes to carry/hug a stuffed toy, can ask for help (to
wind a toy, open a box), seems proud to do things
can take off her shoes and socks, can put things in a
box, can dump themout of the box
can run (like a toddler, stiff legs), can climb stairs with
help, is starting to throw overhand

18 - 21 months
My child...
can stack 4-6 blocks, will point to things if asked
(wheres your nose? Where are your eyes?), calls
himself by name,
can say 6-10 words, is starting to use words like
me, you, can use words to say what he wants
can show he likes me, may not share (mine),
copies what other people do
can keep crayon marks on a piece of paper (when I
watch), can take off coat, holds cup well
can kick at a ball, can jump in place, can walk
down stairs holds my hand, holds crayon (in fist)
problems (gets chair to reach something), knows some
sounds (a bell, a dog barking)

can sing, can be talkative, can put 3-4 words together
(short sentences) to tell me things

can play with and enjoys other children, can be shy
with strangers, follows rules, is starting to take turns

can put on coat, cap or slippers, can use scissors (if
supervised), can use fork (holds in fist)

can do broad jumps (both feet at once), can climb up
stairs (using one foot, then the other), can copy a circle

By 3 1/2 years

My child...

understands the concept of two(2 cookies, 2 trucks),
can point to colors, can match shapes

understands words like biggest, smallest, softly, loudly,
can answer questions, knows or can use words like
down, up

can point to self in photo, asks to do simple tasks in
house (push broom, wipe table), can tell you that shes
happy, sad, afraid, etc.

can pull on sock, can unbutton small buttons, can
unbuckle his belt, can go to toilet alone

can balance on 1 foot, can trace a diamond shape,
can walk down stairs (using one foot, then other foot)