Child Development Stages -

24 Months to 6 Years

(from Children's Home Society of California)

24 to 36 Months

What I may do:

ü Copy your words and actions.

ü Be able to say my age.

ü Show an interest in using the toilet.

ü Match objects by shape and color.

ü Talk to myself to practice new words.

ü Ask "Why?" a lot.

ü Have many tantrums because I am frustrated.

ü Use three-word sentences like "Mommy hold me!"

ü Say about 50-300 words and have better pronunciation.

ü Walk up and down stairs using one foot (instead of both feet) for each stair.

ü Like to use one hand more than the other.

ü Be able to open doors.

ü Show an interest in other children.

ü Know if I am a boy or girl.

How you can help my development:

ü Give me four-piece puzzles and musical instruments to play with.

ü Watch me to see what I like and do not like. I may refuse many foods.

ü Sing the alphabet song and read books with colors and shapes.

ü Ask me about things that happened in the past like "Who gave you that toy?"

ü Read to me.

ü Ask me questions when I play like "What are you doing?"

ü Kick and throw balls with me.

ü Give me beads (1 1/2" wide) to put on a string. Make sure I don't swallow them!

ü Give me opportunities to play with other children.

ü Keep objects you do not want me to touch away from my reach.

ü Help me do things by myself like buttoning.

3 to 4 Years

What I may do:

ü Draw a circle or square if you draw one first.

ü Confuse some words when I speak.

ü Be able to sing a simple song.

ü Use action words (verbs).

ü Pedal a tricycle.

ü Hop on one foot.

ü Be able to wash my hands.

ü Stack six objects on top of each other.

ü Be comfortable being apart from you.

ü Wait for my turn and share with others.

ü Be able to do many things by myself like brush my teeth, undress, and eat.

To help my development:

ü Encourage me to practice drawing.

ü Teach me new words and read to me.

ü Bounce and catch a large ball with me.

ü With new experiences, prepare me by telling me what to expect.

ü Try to keep a regular schedule for my playtimes, mealtimes, and bedtimes.

ü Offer choices to me so I can make some decisions.

ü Give me objects that I can match and count like blocks, cups, or plastic spoons.

4 to 5 Years

What I may do:

ü Be able to match objects by size.

ü Draw a face with eyes, a mouth, and a nose.

ü Learn to write the alphabet.

ü Know most colors.

ü Draw a triangle or diamond after you draw one first.

ü Speak in five-word sentences and tell stories.

ü Have trouble saying the f, l, r, s, v, or z sound.

ü Like to ask how, when, and where questions.

ü Jump.

ü Be able to take off m y clothes.

ü Walk a straight line.

ü Play with other children.

To help my development:

ü Sing songs that have body motions.

ü Teach me facts like my address, birth month, first/last names, parents’ names, and telephone number.

ü Help me write letters of the alphabet.

ü Teach me to wash and dry my hands.

ü Encourage me to do activities by myself and ask for help when I need it.

ü Let me plan activities with you.

ü Schedule both active and quiet playtimes.

ü Let me brush or comb my hair.

5 to 6 Years

What I may do:

ü Understand the difference between left and right.

ü Know books are read from left to right and top to bottom.

ü Count to 100.

ü Have trouble saying the l or th sound.

ü Write my name with some mistakes.

ü Catch a ball and jump rope.

ü Skip and climb well.

ü Ride a bicycle.

ü Have a lot of energy and enjoy moving around.

ü Be more sensitive to others' feelings.

To help my development:

ü Play games like "Follow the Leader" and "Simon Says."

ü Give me puzzles with 10-15 pieces.

ü Ask me questions that I can answer.

ü Give me picture books with simple sentences to look at and read.

ü Encourage me to use words about how I feel.

ü Let me answer the telephone sometimes.

ü Teach me to tie my shoelaces.

ü Give me objects that I can take apart and put back together.

ü Practice using scissors with me.

ü Let me dress myself.

ü Encourage and praise my efforts.