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

Parents

It’s natural to compare your child with other children, but remember, no two children are alike.
The rate at which children grow, develop and acquire knowledge is individualized and a result of numerous factors. Development is not exact, but it is somewhat sequential and predictable. Use this booklet to help determine what will occur next for you and your child.

Special Needs Children

If you are the parent of a special needs child, you may travel a somewhat different and sometimes difficult path when raising your child. Children with special needs make progress, although sometimes at different rates. If your child has special needs we will work together to identify the best situation for him or her.

Your Child Will:

Birth to 6 Months of Age
Smile, laugh, frown
Get attention by kicking, crying
Follow you with their eyes
Babble in own language
Look if there is loud noise
Imitate you
Follow sounds, movement with eye

1 to 2 Years of Age
Imitate what you do
Play with toys for 3-5 minutes
Refer to self by name
Recognize belongings and toys
Know the names of favorite toys

3 to 4 Years of Age
Jump up and down
Catch a bouncing ball
Stack four or five blocks
Dress and undress with help
Cut paper with scissors
Assemble six-piece puzzle
Say numbers 1 to 5
Count three objects
Carry out two step request
Talk in sentences of three to four words
Know many words to simple songs
Like to be read to
Aware of what it means to be a leader
Enjoy measuring activities
Know difference between real and not real

6 Months to 1 Year of Age
Try to feed self
Like to see self in mirror
Ask for what they want or need
Drop objects on purpose
Imitate simple sounds
Be interested in pictures
Play with their hands

2 to 3 Years of Age
Draw lines and circles
Identify primary colors
Give age and first name
Attend to activity for 5 minutes
Play “pretend”

4 to 5 Years of Age
Run quickly, changes directions
Balance on one foot
Throw and catch ball
Dress, fasten zipper and button
Handle fork and spoon
Write name
Ride a bike
Say numbers 1 to 10
Act out stories
Make up new words to songs
Know address, phone number
Love to be read to
Collect data, make lists or graphs
Understand concept of time
Begin to skip