176
Appendix A
Child Development Charts
How to use these child development charts
Children develop in several main areas: physical (body), mental
(mind), communication (gesturing or talking), and social (relating to
other people). Some skills a child learns include all these areas.
For example, when a child reaches her arms up to be held, she is
using a:
• physical skill – she holds up her arms
• mental skill – she recognizes you
• communication skill – she tells you what she wants
• social skill – she enjoys being held by you
The charts on pages 178 to 183 show some of the skills children learn
and when most children learn them. You can use the chart to get general
information about how children develop and to help you decide what
skills your child needs to learn.
6
months
12
months
2
years
The charts show how children’s physical skills change as children grow.
To help you decide what skills your child needs to learn
Find the chart for the age group closest to your child’s age. On the chart,
circle the skills your child has. You may find your child does not have
some skills that other children his age have. Knowing this can help you
decide which activities you want to work on with your child.
If your child is behind
Use this book as a guide. Each chapter in the book explains more
about these skills and the order in which skills need to be learned. It is
important to work on the skills your child needs to learn next, not
the skills other children his age are learning. Trying to teach a child
skills before he is ready will lead to disappointment for both you and
your child.