Child Development 1 year

0-6 months

6-12 months

1 year

2 years

3 & 4 years

Areas of Development

Physical Walks and runs. Climbs, squats, goes up and down stairs, seats self in small chair. "Thinks with his feet" random movement with little purpose - purely motor driven. Love of motion - swinging, bouncing up and down, and vigorous motor activity (rocking high, riding in a fast wagon). Enjoys sensory activities. Highly amused by own gross motor activities.

 

Cognitive Reliably points to body parts. Can follow 2-step direction ("Come and get a scarf and take it back to Mommy"). Learning to use toys and objects in symbolic ways. Moving beyond play schemes of mouthing, throwing and dumping; actions become purposeful and integrated. Can interact in a directed activity. Initiates a play sequence. Reliably reponds to own name and refers to self by name in secure environments.

Emotional & Social Extremely egocentric. Defends and strengthens sense of self by opposing others; "NO" is a favorite word; drive for "autonomy," "Me do it myself!" Beginning to understand that certain things belong definitely to him and not to others. Tends to treat other children as objects. Extremely short attention span; lives in the immediate present. Can be restless and stubborn, emergence of tantrums.

 

Language At 12 months understands 2- or 3-word commands and responses, but still must guess at meaning of many words. By 15 months comprehends much more than can say. At 18 months is learning 5-6 new words per week in 2-word sentences. Repeats what others are saying. Wants and needs are stong and because they can't be verbalized, child may grab, cry and scream.

Recommended Toys
12 - 18 months

• Toy telephone.
• Large cars and trucks.
• Surprise toys (Jack in the Box).
• Balls of varying sizes.
• Board books with simplified, realistic pictures.
• Nesting/stacking cups.
• Dolls and teddies.
• Wind up musical toys.
• Basic block building set.
• Peg boards.
• Push and pull toys.
• Fisher Price Activity Table.
  
  

18-24 months

• Simple puzzles.
• Stacking blocks.
• Nesting toys.
• Simple large Lego - Duplo.
• Books, e.g., "Babies".
• Surprise toys (Jack in the Box).
• Pegboards.
• Spools and shoelaces for threading.
• Hammer and balls.
• Simple percussion instrument.