through 12 months Comfort 13 through 24 months Competence Stage 25 through 36 months Control Stage birth-4 months React to sound; search for sounds with eyes Babble or coo when spoken to or smiled at Cry when hungry or uncomfortable Attracted to bright, colors contrast Prefer human face to other patterns Explore with 5-8 months Babble and combine sounds Understand more words than they can say Interested in pictures that represent familiar people and objects Respond to simple requests (e.g., “wave bye) Imitate and repeat simple actions (e.g., shaking a rattle, etc.) Look for a toy when dropped; find a toy when they see it being hidden Consistency Stage 9-12 months Babble to initiate a social interaction Shake head “no” Enjoy rhymes and songs Watch people, objects and activities Follow simple instructions Recognize reversal of an object (e.g., upside down cup) Search for partially hidden toy months Begin to create long "babble" sentences Follow simple directions Point to common objects or pictures when named (e.g., body parts) Sit for a short while to listen to a story Search for hidden object Repeat simple motions and actions (e.g., dump items out of a container, put them back and repeat the process) Imitate common actions (e.g., talking on phone, drinking from cup, etc.) 19-24 months Speak 50-300 words Label common objects and actions Use “please” and “thank- you” (if taught) Sing familiar songs Try to make mechanical toys work without a demonstration Begin to understand simple cause and effect relationships Are curious and explore everything, yet do not understand the concept of "danger" Begin to understand where ball has gone if it rolls under something; may walk around to get it Explore cabinets and drawers Speak in two-word sentences; create longer and more complex sentences Match sounds to animals Say simple phrases, active verbs and directional words such as "up," "down," and "in" to tell you about what they are doing Put objects where they belong objects to pictures Can sort objects into 2 groups (e.g., hard/soft; green/red, etc.) Can fit simple objects together Prefer more realistic toys Begin to count objects Use self and objects in pretend play Begin to create representational art (pictures that stands for something) Begin to use objects that represent something else Choose between two objects
Birth through 12 months Comfort Stage 13 through 24 months Competence Stage 25 through 36 months Control Stage birth-4 months Express needs with distinct cries Smile in response to a friendly face or voice Smile or coo to get their caregiver's attention Enjoy physical contact Prefer to be with primary care giver and respond to image of self in mirror Learn to trust when needs are met (e.g., picked up when crying) months Prefer to play with people more than toys Respond differently to facial expressions such as frowns and smiles Laugh out loud Hesitant with strangers (stranger anxiety) Use body and/or verbalization to get caregiver’s attention Enjoy social play (“pat a cake”, “this little piggy”) Consistency Stage months Extend arms upward to be picked up Offer toys/objects to others Repeat behavior that gets attention Want parent or caregiver to stay within sight Form an attachment to a special object (e.g., blanket, pacifier, stuffed animal, etc.) Friendly toward others; less wary of strangers May express fear of new sounds, people, and situations Play alone for short periods Show interest in children their own age Seek approval Enjoy being held and read to Imitate adult’s actions in play Test boundaries and limits May refuse to cooperate with daily routines Easily frustrated Express frustration by crying, hitting, biting or grabbing Enjoy turn-taking games Show a strong sense of self by trying to direct the actions of others Become possessive of toys; claim things as "mine"; have difficulty sharing Express likes and dislikes for certain people, objects, or situations Demonstrate a sense of humor Tend to play next to (parallel play) rather than with other children Play with 2-3 other children for short periods of time Participate in simple group activities (singing, dancing, clapping, etc.) Begin to "play house" and take on simple roles (e.g., mommy, daddy or baby) Show pride with what they make and do Want to get own way Become aware of others’ feelings (empathy) May express a rapid change in mood May express a fear of the dark or monsters for the first time Express a wide range of emotions including jealously, fear, anger, sympathy, pride, embarrassment, anxiety and joy