YMCA Family Centers at Walt Disney World® Resorts : Child Development

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Parents

“What goes home in a child’s heart is more important than what goes home in their hand.”
Young children repeat what they have been taught. Saying their numbers 1 – 10 does not mean they know math. Singing the ABC song does not mean they can read.
These are excellent memory skills and memory is important to learning.

Your Child Will:

Birth to 6 Months of Age
Smile, laugh, frown
Want to spend time with you
Love watching your face
Tract with their eyes

1 to 2 Years of Age
Name and point to eyes, nose
Play peek-a-boo
Clap, laugh, grin
Recognize face in mirror

3 to 4 Years of Age
Play learning games with colors, numbers
Perform two-step directions
Know first and last name
Sing, dance and move to music
Take turns
Tell you what to do
Show eagerness as a learner
Attend to task and may seek help

6 Months to 1 Year of Age
Love hiding games
Imitate blinking, clapping, sounds
Play "peek-a-boo"
Register sound difference

2 to 3 Years of Age
Play simple games like "I spy"
Perform one step requests
Match same color
Name simple objects

4 to 5 Years of Age
Alternate quiet and noisy times
Practice series of instructions
Play imaginative games
Play "what if" games
Require eye contact
Classify by color, size
Show curiosity as a learner
Show persistence