Physical Development

Redirect to new blog You are being redirected to the new blog.

Social & Emotional Development

My two oldest sons are best friends. In many ways, I feel I am blessed because of this. But if I decide to dwell, I have to admit that the reason they get along so well is because the 9 year old aspie has about the same social and emotional skills as the 5 year old. And to think that he will be starting Jr. High in two short years. (This scares me to death!) Which brings me to the subject of this post.

0-6 Months
• Reacts to discomfort and pain
• Recognizes parent’s voice
• Makes eye contact
• Shows affection by looking, waving, kicking and smiling
• Shows feelings of security when held or talked to
• Expresses delight
• May form attachment to one special object
• Laughs when tickled
• Builds trust when cries are answered
• May begin to cling to primary caregiver

6-12 Months

• Enjoys being with other children
• Has an increased drive for independence
• Expresses anger more dramatically
• Has a fear of strangers
• Is aware of social approval or disapproval
• Performs for others
• Has pride in personal accomplishments

12-18 Months
• Prefers to keep caregiver in sight while exploring environment
• Demands personal attention
• May reveal stubbornness
• Unable to share
• Responds to simple

18-24 Months
• Is possessive
• Begins to show empathy
• Reveals a sense of trust
• Begins to play next to children
• Shows emotions of pride and embarrassment
• May dawdle
• Engages in imaginative play
• Tests limits of behavior
• Performs for an audience

2-3 Years Old
• Has a strong sense of ownership
• May begin cooperative play
• May show need for security object
• Is becoming more independent

4-5 Years Old
• Enjoys being with other children
• Has an increased drive for independence
• Expresses anger more dramatically
• Is aware of social approval or disapproval
• Performs for others
• Has pride in personal accomplishments
• Develops sex role identification
• Begins taking turns and negotiating

6-10 Years Old
• Has about 5 good friends
• Has at least one peer they dislike
• Tends to be bossy and/or protective of younger children

• Begins to understand that people have different points of views

 For more information go to
ACT • Quality Professional Development for Childhood Care and Education Professionals.
Livestrong

Speech & Language Development

This is part 2 of the posts on child development. This one is dear to my heart because it is the one that all three of my children struggled with during their 2nd year of life. It also was the first indicator that my oldest has Asperger's Syndrome. Fortunately, my second son also had this issue and was not on the spectrum. So it just goes to show that milestones are not always a predictor of disabilities or otherwise. My toddler is now having issues, so I am of course, worried for him. But, I will not let it overwhelm me. I would also like to note that my two oldest are now chatter boxes.

0-6 Months
• Makes some sounds other than crying (by 2 months)
• Begins cooing one syllable (by 3 months)
• Makes first consonant sounds (by 4 months)
• Babbles spontaneously
• Acquires sounds of native language (by 6 months)

6-12 Months
• Puts together long series of syllables
• Responds appropriately to a few specific words (by 9 months)
• Speaks a few recognizable words
• Produces gestures to communicate (by 7 months)
• Learns how to take turns making sounds in “conversation”

12-18 Months
• Has expressive vocabulary of 4-10 words (by 13-15 months)
• Has expressive vocabulary of 10-20 words (by 18 months)
• Can listen and respond to simple directions

18-24 Months
• Has expressive vocabulary of 20-25 words
• Uses 2-word phrases to communicate
• Uses gestures to communicate
• Begins using courtesy words (please, thank you) occasionally

2-3 Years
• Combines words to form short sentences
• Uses plurals
• Answers routine questions
• Provides appropriate answers
• Comprehends some pronouns
• Follows two step directions

4-5 Years

• Uses possessives
• Uses double negatives
• Joins sentences
• Can answer how, who, when questions
• Follows up to 4 step directions
• Uses third person
• Tells simple jokes
• Has a 2000 word vocabulary

6-9 Years
• Speaks fluently and describes complicated happenings
• Reads out loud
• Knows different tenses and grammar.

For more information go to
ACT • Quality Professional Development for Childhood Care and Education Professionals.
Women's and Children's Health Network (WCHN)

Cognitive Milestones (Mental Development)

This is the first post in a 4 part series on child development.  I like knowing what milestones my child needs to be doing, so that I may help guide him in that area. For example, I made a picture book of photographs for my toddler to help him identify family members. I also like to know why I am doing something. We all play peek a boo with babies, but did you know that it was to help your baby anticipate events? I thought I was just doing it to make him laugh. Furthermore,  This information is taken into consideration when I write my Mommy Lesson Plans.

I have a child with Asperger's Syndrome. When he didn't meet milestones, I started to freak out. I also freaked out with child number two who is not on the spectrum. Now, I have a  toddler, and am starting to freak out again. I have to keep reminding myself, that this mild hysteria is neither good for myself or my kids. So, please learn from me and take this as a guideline only. Don't obsess.



0-6 Months
Listens attentively to sounds and voices (by 1 month)
Cries deliberately for assistance (by 1 month)
Coordinates eye movements (by 2 months)
Discovers hands and feet as extension of self (by 3 months)
Likes to repeat enjoyable acts (by 4 months)
Recognizes and responds to name (by 5 months)
Studies objects intently (by 6 months)

6-12 Months
Anticipates events (by 7 months)
Finds hidden objects (by 10 months)
Can point to body parts
Puts nesting toys together correctly
Develops expectations about familiar events
Waves bye-bye

12-18 Months
Identifies family members in photographs
Enjoys cause and effect relationship
Is able to make choices between clear alternatives
Begins to solve problems
Remembers more

18-24 Months
Sorts shapes and colors
Mimics adult behavior
Points to and names objects
Refers to self by name
Learns by helping
Learns concepts such as size, shape and weight as he/she moves and plays with objects in the environment.

2-3 Years
Comprehends size
Beginning to understand time sequences (e.g. before lunch)
Matches shapes and colors
Counts and manipulates objects
Is beginning to think about consequences
Is able to concentrate for longer periods of time

4-5 Years
Comprehends special concepts (e.g. around, in front, high, next to)
Rote counts up to 20
Can complete a 6-8 piece puzzle
Begins to understand time concepts
Understands simple math concepts
Recalls main details of a story

6-10 Years
Retains knowledge about subjects they like
Develop reading and writing skills
Understands money concepts (6 years)
Understands complicated time concepts (7/8 years)
Begins to research information and complete projects (10 years)
Needs reduced stress situations

For more information go to
ACT • Quality Professional Development for Childhood Care and Education Professionals.
Livestrong