You need to know how your child grows and learns. It can help you relax and have fun with your child because you know what kind of games to play with him. You will know how to handle your child when things go wrong or he is upset.

You can be a better parent if you understand child development. For example, you will know that toddlers are not ready for potty training until they are more than two years old. Think how much anger and frustration you will avoid by not trying to teach your child something he can't learn! And, knowing about child development will help you know when your child care program is meeting your child's needs.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Child development is how your child grows and matures. Each child is an individual. Each child grows and matures at his or her own rate. The next section contains a series of statements about what children are usually learning to do at different ages. Your child may be slightly ahead of or slightly behind these abilities, and be perfectly normal.

Physical: Children grow fast from birth to five years. Physical growth includes learning to use large muscles (arms, legs) and small muscles (hands, fingers). It also includes using the five senses (sight, touch, hearing, smell, taste) to find out more about the world around him.

INFANT (0 to 16 months*):

• Cries when hungry, in pain, afraid, or lonely, and sometimes just to exercise lungs and muscles.
• Sits, crawls, stands and walks in that order.
• Gets first teeth.

TODDLER (16 months to two years*):

• Does more for himself.
• Learns how to run, jump, and climb.
• Explores everything he can reach.

• Is almost able to dress and feed himself; may still need help with buttons and cutting meat, etc.
• Can use toilet, but may need to be reminded.
• Is learning hand/finger skills, such as drawing with a crayon and cutting with scissors.
• May learn to ride a tricycle.
• Is full of energy - is in constant motion, but may tire easily.

EARLY SCHOOL AGE (attends school - five to eight years):

• Learns many skills, such as jump rope, group games, etc. Enjoys doing well at games.
• Increases in weight and height; has growth spurts.

LATER SCHOOL AGE (nine to twelve years.):

• Needs different physical activities to choose from
• Is beginning to compete with himself ("I want to jump higher than I did yesterday.")

[Definitions taken from: Minimum Standards For Licensed Child Care Centers. Department of Social Services, Commonwealth of Virginia, July 1, 1989.]

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Social development is learning to get along with others.

INFANT:

• Loves to be touched and held; responds more to adults than to other children.
• Responds to things he likes by smiling, cooing, babbling, and talking.
• Learns to trust himself and others.
• Bonds to special adults.
• May play games based on repetition. (Baby drops a toy, the adult picks it up and gives it back, and Baby drops it again.)

TODDLER:

• Can imitate actions he has seen adults do, like talking on the telephone, reading a book, etc.
• Plays alone or alongside others.
• May copy another child (If one child throws sand, the other is almost certain to follow).

PRESCHOOL:

• Likes to talk to others but is not interested in their stories.
• Plays alongside and with other children, but does not share.
• Can play pretend games, like putting a doll to bed.
• Wants to be like parents and teachers.
• May have imaginary playmates.

EARLY SCHOOL AGE:

• Spends more time with two or three close friends.
• Can play games with simple rules.
• Competes with friends.
• Quarrels often, but usually doesn't stay mad long.
• Cares about others.

LATER SCHOOL AGE:

• Has best friends and wants their approval.
• May be easily embarrassed.
• Needs positive role models.

EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Children have feelings just as you do. As children grow emotionally, they learn how to deal with sadness, anger, or fear and to enjoy being happy.

INFANT:

• Shows stress by sucking thumb, spitting up, crying, having bladder or bowel problems.
• Afraid when parent leaves.
• Learns to trust if his basic needs of love, attention, and food are met by a caring adult.

TODDLER:

• Is developing independence and shows it by saying "NO".
  [Hint: Try giving your child choices between two things, such as "Do you want to wear your red sweater or your blue sweater?" rather than saying "Put on your sweater". It will make things easier.]
• Wants to do things for himself, but likes to have parent near for help and reassurance.
• Favorite words are "Me" and "Mine".

PRESCHOOL:

• Has strong preferences in food and clothing.
• Talks about feelings.
• Takes pride in accomplishments.
• Gets upset if not understood by adults.

EARLY SCHOOL AGE:

• Has mood swings: is happy one minute and sad the next.
• Worries about personal safety.
• Needs to be reminded he is loved and accepted.
• Needs structure in his activities (likes to have rules to follow, although he would never admit it.)

LATER SCHOOL AGE:

• Feels good when he learns to do new things.
• Begins to question rules.
• Is easily embarrassed.

MENTAL DEVELOPMENT

As children learn and grow, their ability to think expands. Mental growth is learning how to think. Problem solving, talking, and exploring helps them learn to think. Small children are learning new things every day.

INFANT:

• Cries, coos, and laughs.
• Plays and explores to learn.
• Uses five senses to learn. Puts everything in mouth so don't let him have toys with parts small enough to swallow.
• Says first words.
  [Hint: Talk to your baby, even when too young to understand. Make games out of naming body parts, like eyes, fingers, tummy and toes. Your baby will get a good start on learning to talk.]

TODDLER:

• Can point to pictures of familiar objects, like balls and flowers.
• Understands simple commands, such as "Come here".
• Talks to self and names things.
• Does not separate make believe from real life.
• Enjoys pretending to be someone or something he's not, like a steam engine or comic strip hero.

PRESCHOOL:

• Has a short attention span; moves quickly from task to task.
• Begins to group and classify things. ("I have red blocks, and you have blue blocks".)
• Asks lots of questions ("Why?")
• Likes to listen to the same story over and over.

EARLY SCHOOL AGE:

• Understands more things at a more adult level.
• Can stick to a task longer.

LATER SCHOOL AGE:

• Speaks well.
• Enjoys and completes projects, such as arts and crafts.
• Begins to have special interests, like sports or drawing.
• Can be challenged to learn new things.

Your child will grow when:

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