232 appendix c: child development charts
Communication
Play
ball.
Communication
knows 50 to
200 words or
signs
matches
objects
uses objects
related to
each other
Cup.
uses
simple
words
or signs
uses sentences
with 2 and 3
words or signs
2
years
old
pays attention
to activities for
longer times
plays alongside
other children
imitates caregiver
Social
asks others
when she
needs help
stacks large
objects
walks
squats
Mental
Mental
Physical
In the chart above, a mother has circled the skills her 20-month-old daughter can do.
Her child needs help to gain skills in each area, but most of all she needs help in the
communication area and in the mental area. For a child this young, the family should
be working on basic communication (Chapter 4) and beginning to introduce language.
For an older child, you can start by looking at the chart that is nearest his age. But you
may have to look at the charts for younger children to see the skills the child can do.
Other charts will give you an idea of the kinds of skills your child will need to learn
before he can work on learning skills like the ones on the chart nearest his age.
SIf oyocuiraclhild cannot hear well, it is likely that he needs extra help to developPhhisysical
communication, mental, and social skills. Chapters 2 and 3 will be helpful because they
explain how children learn language and give some general tips for how to work with
young children. Because children’s mental skills grow together with their communication
skills, the activities in Chapters 4, 7, 8, and 9 will help a child increase both his
communication and mental development. Chapter 12, on social skills, suggests many
ways you can help a child develop his social interactions.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)