Early Help Makes A Difference
Young children learn and develop differently. One baby may walk earlier than another, while another baby might talk first. Often, these differences will even out. But, some children will need extra help.
Look for signs that your infant or toddler might need extra help. Early help makes a difference! If your child does have a problem, the earlier you get help, the better.
Here is what you can expect your child to be doing, from birth to age three.
| At three months | At six months | At twelve months: |
- • turn their heads toward bright colors and lights
- • move both eyes in the same direction together
- • recognize bottle or breast
- • react to sudden sounds or voices
- • make cooing sounds
- • make fists with both hands
- • grasp toys or hair
- • wiggle and kick with arms and legs
- • lift head and chest when on stomach
- • smile
| - • follow moving objects with their eye
- • turn toward the source of normal sound
- • reach for objects and pick them up
- • switch toys from one hand to the other
- • play with their toes
- • help hold the bottle during feeding
- • recognize familiar faces
- • babble
| - • sit without support
- • pull to a standing position
- • crawl
- • drink from a cup
- • play peek-a-boo and patty cake
- • wave bye-bye
- • hold out their arms and legs while being dressed
- • put objects in a container know five or six words
- • stack two blocks
|
| At one and 1/2 years | At two years | At three years |
- • like to pull, push and dump things
- • follow simple directions ("Bring the ball")
- • pull off shoes, socks and mittens
- • like to look at pictures
- • make marks on paper with crayons
- • feed themselves
- • walk without help
- • step off a low object and keep balance
| - • use two-to-three-word sentences
- • say names of toys
- • recognize familiar pictures
- • carry something while walking
- • feed themselves with a spoon
- • play independently
- • turn 2-3 pages at a time
- • like to imitate their parent
- • identify hair, eyes, ears and nose by pointing
- • build a tower of four blocks
- • show affection
| - • walk up steps (alternating feet)
- • ride a tricycle
- • put on their shoes
- • open door
- • turn one page at a time
- • play with other children for a few minutes
- • repeat common rhymes
- • use three-to-five-word sentences
- • name at least one color correctly
- • are toilet trained
|
If your child is having trouble doing some of these things, it may put your mind at rest to talk to someone. Early help makes a difference! Talk with your doctor or call the New York City Early Intervention Program at 311
Services are provided at no cost to you to help your child grow and develop and to help you care for your child.
These services include evaluation services (including hearing and vision screening). If your child qualifies home visits, speech, physical and other therapies, child development groups, family counseling, and, sometimes, even help with transportation can be provided. Imagine, all this at no cost!
(Source: New York State Department of Health)
