You help your baby's brain develop when you give him or her lots of attention. Hold your baby, rock him or her gently in your arms, cuddle, and play with your baby. Look into his or her eyes and talk softly. Pick your baby up when he or she cries. This will not spoil your baby. It teaches your baby to trust that you will care for him or her.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
I can make things with my hands and fingers.
Give me things, such as beads to string and clay to shape, but make sure I’m supervised.
SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL
I want to play with other children.
Let me be with other kids and help me join in while they play.
I WANT TO LEARN
I decide what I want to play with.
Make sure I have a lot to choose from when I play.
THINGS I KNOW
I understand numbers by counting things.
Show me how numbers are part of everyday activities.
LANGUAGE
I understand simple directions.
Play with me. I enjoy games with simple instructions I can follow.
Children Learn and Develop at Their Own Rate
Most children this age can:
- Hold a crayon between thumb and fingers.
- Kick and throw a ball.
- Understand simple directions.
By now, people outside your family should be able to understand what your child says at least half the time. If you have questions about your child's development or speech, talk with your doctor or nurse. You can also call your local school district or the Help Me Grow WA Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 to find out about a free screening.
Growth Spurts
It's normal for children to grow faster some months than others. During growth spurts, your child may eat more than usual. Most children get taller and thinner, and gain weight more slowly at this age. If you wonder whether your child weighs too much or too little, or see changes in your child that worry you, talk to your doctor or nurse.
Talk with Your Child
Talking together is one of the best activities for you and your child. "Why" is probably one of your child's favorite words. He or she thinks you know everything! You may get tired of answering the same questions over and over, but taking time to talk with your child is very important. Listening to your child's ideas and stories to find out what he or she is thinking and understanding. Knowing that you listen when he or she talks to you now may make it easier for your child to come to you with problems as he or she gets older.
Stay Involved with Preschool and Child care
If your child is going to preschool, stay involved to help make sure he or she has a good experience.
- Meet regularly with your child's teachers and ask questions about how he or she is doing.
- Offer to volunteer.
- Join in on special events, such as field trips and holidays.
Pretend Play is Part of Learning
When your child plays "make-believe" he or she learns many things, such as how to care about other people when pretending to be someone else. When your child makes up stories, he or she learns how to be creative. Your child even learns how to handle his or her feelings and solve problems.