Kids Care Tips

Cognitive development for your baby means the learning process of memory, language, thinking and reasoning. Your baby is learning to recognize the sound of your voice. She is also learning to focus her vision from the periphery or the corner of her eyes to the center. Language development is more than uttering sounds (“babble”), or mama/dada.

Listening, understanding, and knowing the names of people and things are all components of language development. During this stage, your baby is also developing bonds of love and trust with you. The way you cuddle, hold, and play with your baby will set the basis for how he will interact with you and others.

Positive Parenting

• Talk to your baby. It is soothing to hear your voice.
  
  
• When your baby makes sounds, answer him by repeating and adding words. This will help him learn to use language.
  
  
• Read to your baby. This helps her develop and understand language and sounds.
  
  
• Sing to your baby.
  
  
• Play music. This helps your baby develop a love for music and math.
  
  
• Praise your baby and give him lots of loving attention.
  
  
• Spend time cuddling and holding your baby. This helps her feel cared for and secure.
  
  
• The best time to play with your baby is when he’s alert and relaxed. Watch your baby closely for signs of being tired or fussy so that you can take a break.
  
  
• Parenting can be hard work! Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is easier to enjoy your new baby and be a positive, loving parent when you are feeling good yourself.
  

Child Safety First

Now that your newborn is at home, it is time to make sure that your home is a safe place. Look around your home for household items that might present a possible danger to your baby. As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that you create a safe environment for your baby. It is also important that you take the necessary steps to make sure that you are mentally and emotionally ready for your new baby. Here are a few tips to keep your baby safe during her first year of life.

• It is important that you never shake your newborn baby. Newborn babies have very weak neck muscles that are not yet able to support their heads. If you shake your baby you can damage his brain and delay normal development.
  
  
• To prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), it is recommended that you always put your baby to sleep on her back.
  
  
• Place your baby in a car safety seat every time he rides in the car. The safest place for his safety seat is in the back seat of the car. Children who are less than one year OR are less than 20 pounds should be placed in a rear-facing care seat.
  
  
• To prevent your baby from choking, cut her food into small bites. Don’t allow your baby to play with anything that may cover her face or is easy for her to swallow.
  
  
• Never carry hot liquids or food near your baby or while holding him.
  
  
• Immunizations (shots) are important to protect your child’s health and safety. Because children are susceptible to many potentially serious diseases, it is important that your child receive the proper immunizations. Please consult your local health care provider to ensure that your child is up-to-date on her childhood immunizations.

Developmental Milestones for Toddlers 1-2 years old

During this time, your child is becoming increasingly more mobile, and aware of himself and his surroundings. Her desire to explore new objects and people is also increasing. During this stage, your toddler will show greater independence, begin to show defiant behavior, recognize himself in pictures or a mirror, and imitate the behavior of others, especially adults and older children.

Your toddler will also be able to recognize names of familiar people and objects, form simple phrases and sentences, and follow simple instructions and directions.

Positive Parenting

• Keep reading to your toddler daily.
  
  
• Ask her to find objects for you or name body parts and objects.
  
  
• Play matching games with your toddler.
  
  
• Encourage him to explore and try new things.
  
  
• Help to develop your toddler’s language by talking with her.
  
  
• Encourage your toddler’s curiosity and ability to recognize common objects by taking field trips together to the park or a bus ride.
  

Child Safety First

As your child is becoming increasingly mobile, his ability to encounter more dangers is increasing as well. Here are a few recommendations to help keep your growing toddler safe.

• Block off stairs with a small gate or fence. Lock doors to dangerous places such as the garage or basement.
  
  
• Toddler proof your home by placing plug covers on all unused electrical outlets.
  
  
• Keep kitchen appliances, irons, and heaters from the reach of your toddler. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
  
  
• Keep sharp objects such as scissors and pens in a safe place.
  
  
• Lock up medicines, household cleaners and poisons.
  
  
• Never leave her alone in the car, even for a few moments.
  
  
• Store any guns in a safe place out of his reach.
  

Developmental Milestones for Toddlers 2-3 years old

Because of your child’s growing desire to assert her independence, this stage is often called the “terrible twos.” However, this can be an exciting time for you and your toddler. He will experience huge intellectual, social, and emotional changes that will help him to explore his new world, and make sense of it.

During this stage, your toddler will be able to follow two- or three-phrase commands, sort objects by shape and color, imitate the actions of adults and playmates, and express a wide range of emotions.

Positive Parenting

• Set up a special time to read books with your toddler.
  
  
• Encourage your child to engage in pretend play.
  
  
• Play parade or follow the leader with your toddler.
  
  
• Help your child to explore her surroundings by taking her on a walk or wagon ride.
  
  
• Encourage your child to tell you his name and age.
  
  
• Teach your child simple songs like Itsy Bitsy Spider, or other cultural childhood rhymes.
  

Child Safety First

Encourage your toddler to sit when eating and to chew her food thoroughly.

• Check toys often for loose or broken parts.
  
  
• Encourage your toddler not to put pencils or crayons in his mouth when coloring or drawing.
  
  
• Never leave your toddler near or around water (that is, bathtubs, pools, ponds, lakes, whirlpools, or the ocean) without someone watching her.
  
  
• Never drink hot objects while your child is sitting on your lap. Sudden movements can cause a spill.
  

Developmental Milestones for Preschoolers 3-5 years old

As your child grows into early childhood, his world will begin to open up. She will become more independent and begin to focus more on adults and children outside of the family. He will want to explore and ask about his surroundings even more.

Her interactions with family and those around her will help to shape her personality and individual ways of thinking and moving. During this stage your child will be able to ride a tricycle, use safety scissors, show awareness of gender identity, help to dress and undress himself, play with other children, recall part of a story, and sing a song.

Positive Parenting

• Continue to read to your child. Nurture her love for books by taking her to the library or bookstore.
  
  
• Let your child help with simple chores.
  
  
• Encourage your child to play with other children. This helps him to learn the value of sharing and friendship.
  
  
• Help your child’s language by speaking to her in complete sentences and in “adult” language. Help her to use the correct words and phrases.
  
  
• Be clear and consistent when disciplining your child. Model the behavior that you expect from him.
  

Child Safety First

As your child becomes more independent and increases her interaction with the outside world, it is important that you and your child are aware of ways to stay safe. Here are a few ways to protect your child.

• Tell your child why it is important to stay out of traffic. Tell him not to play in the street or run after stray balls.
  
  
• Be cautious when letting your child ride her tricycle. Keep her on the sidewalk and away from the street.
  
  
• Check outdoor playground equipment. Make sure there are no loose parts or sharp edges.
  
  
• When your child is playing outside, keep watch over him at all times.
  
  
• Practice water safety. Teach your child to swim.
  
  
• Teach your child how to interact with strangers and how not to interact.
  

Developmental Milestones for Middle Childhood 6-8 years old

Middle childhood brings many changes to a child’s life. By this time, children can dress themselves, catch a ball more easily with only their hands, and tie their shoes. Developing independence from family becomes more important now. Events such as starting school bring children this age into regular contact with the larger world. Friendships become more and more important. Physical, social, and mental skills develop rapidly at this time. This is a critical time for children to develop confidence in all areas of life, such as through friends, schoolwork, and sports.

Here are some changes your child may go through during middle childhood:

Emotional/Social Changes

• More independence from parents and family.
  
  
• Stronger sense of right and wrong.
  
  
• Beginning awareness of the future.
  
  
• Growing understanding about one’s place in the world.
  
  
• More attention to friendships and teamwork.
  
  
• Growing desire to be liked and accepted by friends.
  

Mental/Cognitive Changes

• Rapid development of mental skills.
  
  
• Greater ability to describe experiences and talk about thoughts and feelings.
  
  
• Less focus on one’s self and more concern for others.
  

Positive Parenting

• Show affection for your child. Recognize her accomplishments.
  
  
• Help your child develop a sense of responsibility—ask him to help with household tasks, such as setting the table.
  
  
• Talk with your child about school, friends, and things she looks forward to in the future.
  
  
• Talk with your child about respecting others. Encourage him to help people in need.
  
  
• Help your child set her own achievable goals—she’ll learn to take pride in herself and rely less on approval or reward from others.
  
  
• Make clear rules and stick to them, such as how long your child can watch TV or when he has to go to bed. Be clear about what behavior is okay and what is not okay.
  
  
• Help your child learn patience by letting others go first or by finishing a task before going out to play. Encourage him to think about possible consequences before acting.
  
  
• Do fun things together as a family, such as playing games, reading, and going to events in your community.
  
  
• Get involved with your child’s school. Meet the teachers and staff to understand the learning goals and how you and the school can work together to help your child do well.
  
  
• Continue reading to your child. As your child learns to read, take turns reading to each other.
  
  
• Use discipline to guide and protect your child, rather than punishment to make her feel badly about herself.
  
  
• Support your child in taking on new challenges. Encourage him to solve problems, such as a disagreement with another child, on his own.
  

Child Safety First

More physical ability and more independence can put children at risk for injuries from falls and other accidents. Motor vehicle crashes are the most common cause of death from unintentional injury among children this age.

• Protect your child properly in the car. For detailed information, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families.
  
  
• Teach your child to watch traffic and how to be safe when walking to school, riding a bike, and playing outside.
  
  
• Make sure your child understands water safety, and always supervise her when she’s swimming or playing near water.
  
  
• Supervise your child when he’s engaged in risky activities, such as climbing.
  
  
• Talk with your child about how to ask for help when she needs it.
  
  
• Keep potentially harmful household products, tools, equipment, and firearms out of your child’s reach.
  

Developmental Milestones for Middle Childhood 9-11 years old

Your child’s growing independence from the family and interest in friends might be obvious by now. Healthy friendships are very important to your child’s development, but peer pressure can become strong during this time. Children who feel good about themselves are more able to resist negative peer pressure and make better choices for themselves. This is an important time for children to gain a sense of responsibility along with their growing independence. Also, physical changes of puberty might be showing by now, especially for girls. Another big change children need to prepare for during this time is starting middle or junior high school.

During this time, your child might:

• Form stronger, more complex friendships and peer relationships. It becomes more emotionally important to have friends, especially of same sex.
  
  
• Experience more peer pressure.
  
  
• Become more independent from the family.
  
  
• Become more aware of his or her body as puberty approaches. Body image and eating problems sometimes start around this age. For information on healthy eating and exercise for children and teenagers, visit kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition.
  
  
• Face more academic challenges at school.
  

Positive Parenting

You can help your child become independent, while building his or her sense of responsibility and self-confidence at the same time. Here are some suggestions:

• Spend time with your child. Talk with her about her friends, her accomplishments, and what challenges she will face.
• Be involved with your child’s school. Go to school events; meet your child’s teachers.
• Encourage your child to join school and community groups, such as a team sport, or to take advantage of volunteer opportunities.
• Help your child develop his own sense of right and wrong. Talk with him about risky things friends may pressure him to do, like smoking or dangerous physical dares.
• Help your child develop a sense of responsibility—involve your child in household tasks. Talk to your child about saving and spending money wisely.
• Meet the families of your child’s friends.
• Talk with your child about respecting others. Encourage your child to help people in need. Talk with him or her about what to do when others are not kind or are disrespectful.
• Help your child set his own goals. Encourage him to think about skills and abilities he would like to have and about how to develop them.
• Make clear rules and stick to them. Talk to your child about what you expect from her when no adults are supervising. If you provide reasons for rules, it will help your child to know what to do in those situations.
• Use discipline to guide and protect your child, instead of punishment to make him feel badly about himself.
• Talk with your child about the normal physical and emotional changes of puberty.
• Encourage your child to read every day. Talk with her about her homework.
• Be affectionate and honest with your child, and do things together as a family.
  

Child Safety First

More independence and less adult supervision can put children at risk for injuries from falls and other accidents. Motor vehicle crashes are the most common cause of death from unintentional injury among children of this age.

• Protect your child in the car. All children younger than 12 years of age should ride in the back seat with a seat belt properly fastened. Children should ride in a car seat or booster seat until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall (because adult seat belts do not fit people under this height). Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for more information.
• Know where your child is and whether an adult is present. Make plans with your child for when he will call you, where you can find him, and what time you expect him home.
• Many children get home from school before their parents get home from work. It is important to have clear rules and plans for your child when she is home alone. Visit KidsHealth: When It’s Just You After School for safety tips for your child at home when you can’t be there.
  

Developmental Milestones for Early Adolescence (12-14 years old

Early adolescence is a time of many physical, mental, emotional, and social changes. Hormones change as puberty begins. Boys grow facial and pubic hair and their voices deepen. Girls grow pubic hair and breasts, and start menstruating. They might be worried about these changes and how they are looked at by others. This will also be a time when your teenager might face peer pressure to use alcohol, tobacco products, and drugs, and to have sex. Other challenges can be eating disorders, depression and family problems.

At this age, teens make more of their own choices about friends, sports, studying, and school. They become more independent, with their own personality and interests. Some changes younger teens go through are:

Emotional/Social Changes

• More concern about body image, looks, and clothes.
  
  
• Focus on self, going back and forth between high expectations and lack of confidence.
  
  
• Moodiness
  
  
• More interest in and influence by peer group.
  
  
• Less affection shown toward parents. May sometimes seem rude or short-tempered.
  
  
• Anxiety from more challenging school work.
  
  
• Eating problems sometimes start at this age. For information on healthy eating and exercise for children and teenagers, visit kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness.
  

Mental/Cognitive Changes

• More ability for complex thought.
  
  
• Better able to express feelings through talking.
  
  
• A stronger sense of right and wrong.
  
  
• Many teens sometimes feel sad or depressed. Depression can lead to poor grades at school, alcohol or drug use, unsafe sex, and other problems.
  

Positive Parenting

Trust is important for teenagers. Even as she develops independence, she will need to know she has your support. At the same time, she will need you to respect her need for privacy.

• Be honest and direct with your teenager when talking about sensitive subjects such as drugs, drinking, smoking, and sex.
  
  
• Encourage your teenager to get exercise. He or she might join a team or take up an individual sport. Helping with household tasks such as mowing the lawn, walking the dog, or washing the car also keeps your teen active.
  
  
• Meal time is very important for families. Eating together helps teenagers make better choices about the foods they eat, promotes healthy weight, and gives your family time to talk to each other.
  
  
• Meet and get to know your teenager’s friends.
  
  
• Show an interest in your teenager’s school life.
  
  
• Help your teenager make healthy choices while encouraging him to make his own decisions.
  
  
• Respect your teenager’s opinions and take into account her thoughts and feelings. It is important that she knows you are listening to her.
  

Child Safety First

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 12 to 14 year olds. Injuries from sports and other activities are also common.

• Make sure your teenager knows about the importance of wearing seatbelts. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for more information.
  
  
• Encourage your teenager to wear a helmet when riding a bike, motorcycle, or all-terrain vehicle.
  
  
• Talk with your teenager about the dangers of drugs, drinking, smoking, and risky sexual activity. Ask him what he knows and thinks about these issues, and share your thoughts and feelings with him. Listen to what she says and answer her questions honestly and directly.
  
  
• Talk with your teenager about the importance of having friends who are interested in positive activities. Encourage him to avoid peers who pressure him to make unhealthy choices.
  
  
• Know where your teenager is and whether an adult is present. Make plans with her for when she will call you, where you can find her, and what time you expect her home.
  
  
• Set clear rules for your teenager when he is home alone. Talk about such issues as having friends at the house; how to handle unsafe situations (emergencies, fire, drugs, sex, etc.) and homework or household tasks to complete.
  

Developmental Milestones for Middle Adolescence 15-17 years old

Middle adolescence is a time of physical, mental, cognitive, and sexual changes for your teenager. Most girls will be physically mature by now, and most will have completed puberty. Boys might still be maturing physically during this time. Your teenager might have concerns about her body size, shape, or weight. Eating disorders can also be common, especially among females. During this phase of development, your teenager is developing his unique personality and opinions. Peer relationships are still important, yet your teenager will have other interests as he develops a more clear sense of identity. Middle adolescence is also an important time to prepare for more independence and responsibility; many teenagers start working, and many will be leaving home soon after high school.

Other changes you might notice in your teenager include:

Emotional/Social Changes

• Increased interest in the opposite sex
  
  
• Decreased conflict with parents
  
  
• Increased independence from parents
  
  
• Deeper capacity for caring and sharing and the development of more intimate relationships
  
  
• Decreased time spent with parents and more time spent with peers
  

Mental/Cognitive Changes

• More defined work habits
  
  
• More concern about future educational and vocational plans
  
  
• Greater ability to sense right and wrong
  
  
• Sadness or depression, which can lead to poor grades at school, alcohol or drug use, unsafe sex, thoughts of suicide, and other problems (Note: Problems at school, alcohol and drug use, and other disorders can also lead to feelings of sadness or hopelessness.)
  

Positive Parenting

• Talk to your teenager about her concerns and pay attention to any changes in her behavior. Ask her if she has had suicidal thoughts, particularly if she seems sad or depressed. Asking about suicidal thoughts will not cause her to have these thoughts, but it will let her know that you care about how she feels. Seek professional help if necessary.
  
  
• Show interest in your teenager’s school and extracurricular interests and activities and encourage him to become involved in activities such as sports, music, theater, and art.
  
  
• Compliment your teenager and celebrate her efforts and accomplishments.
  
  
• Show affection for your teenager. Spend time together doing things you enjoy.
  
  
• Respect your teenager’s opinion. Listen to him without playing down his concerns.
  
  
• Encourage your teenager to volunteer and become involved in civic activities in her community.
  
  
• Encourage your teenager to develop solutions to problems or conflicts. Help your teenager learn to make good decisions. Create opportunities for him to use his own judgment, and be available for advice and support.
  
  
• If your teenager engages in interactive Internet media such as games, chat rooms, and instant messaging, encourage him to be disciplined and respectful about the amount of time she is involved with it.
  
  
• If your teenager works, use the opportunity to talk about expectations, responsibility, and other aspects of behaving respectfully in a public setting.
  
  
• Talk with your teenager and help him plan ahead for difficult or uncomfortable situations. Discuss what he can do if he is in a group and someone is using drugs, under pressure to have sex, or offered a ride from someone who has been drinking.
  
  
• Respect your teenager’s need for privacy.
  
  
• Encourage your teenager to get enough sleep and exercise, and to eat healthy, balanced meals.
  
  
• Encourage your teenager to have meals with the family. Eating together will help your teenager make better choices about the foods she eats, promote healthy weight, and give family members time to talk with each other. In addition, a teenager who eats meals with the family is more likely to have better grades and less likely to smoke, drink, or use drugs. She is also less likely to get into fights, think about suicide, or engage in sexual activity.
  

Safety First

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death from unintentional injury among teenagers, yet few teenagers take measures to reduce their risk of injury. Unintentional injuries resulting from participation in sports and other activities are also common.

• Talk with your teenager about the importance of wearing a seatbelt while driving. Insist that she obey speed limits and traffic lights, and strongly advise her not to drink and drive. Set clear rules for when and where she can use the car, and who can ride with her.
  
  
• Encourage your teenager to wear a helmet when riding a bike, motorcycle, or all-terrain vehicle.
  
  
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth 15 through 24 years of age. Talk with your teenager about suicide and pay attention to warning signs.
  
  
• Talk with your teenager about the dangers of drugs, drinking, smoking, and risky sexual activity. Ask him what he knows and thinks about these issues, and share with him your feelings. Listen to what he says and answer his questions honestly and directly.
  
  
• Discuss with your teenager the importance of choosing friends who do not act in dangerous or unhealthy ways.
  
  
• Know where your teenager is and whether an adult is present. Make plans with her for when she will call you, where you can find her, and what time you expect her home.
  

Links for Parents

The American Academy of Pediatrics has brochures, fact sheets, and other information on various health topics for parents with children of all ages.

CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health has a Healthy Youth! webpage that addresses six critical types of adolescent health behavior that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability among adults and youth. The website’s A to Z list addresses other issues that affect children and adolescents.

The National Center on Injury Prevention and Control at CDC has a website that contains information like youth violence, suicide, teen drivers, sexual violence, and other injury-related topics.

KidsHealth by the Nemours Foundation has practical information for parents, teens, and kids.

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry has fact sheets for parents on various issues related to child and adolescent development.

Talk With Your Kids is a national initiative by Children Now and the Kaiser Family Foundation to encourage parents to talk with their children early and often about tough issues like sex, HIV/AIDS, violence, and alcohol and drug abuse.

The National Institute of Mental Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration have information and resources on child and adolescent mental health.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has information on safety recalls, and safety tips for children riding in motor vehicles, walking, biking, playing outside, waiting at school bus stops, and more.