Your Child’s Early Development is a Journey Check off the milestones your child has reached and share your child’s progress with the doctor at every visit. q Likes to play with others, especially parents q Responds to own name q Uses simple gestures such as shaking head for “no” or waving “bye bye” q Copies gestures q Strings vowels together when babbling (“ah,” “eh,” “oh”) q Copies sounds q Begins to sit without support q Responds to simple spoken requests 3 q START HERE q Says “mama” and “dada” q Plays simple pretend, such as feeding a doll q Points to show others something interesting q Pulls up to stand q Knows what ordinary things are for; for example, telephone, brush, spoon q Says several single words q Walks alone q Says sentences with 2 to 4 words q Gets excited when with other children q Follows simple instructions q Kicks a ball q Points to things or pictures when they’re named q Copies adults and friends (like running when other children run) q Plays make-believe with dolls, animals and people q Shows affection for friends without prompting q Draws a person with 2 to 4 body parts q Plays cooperatively q Carries on a conversation using 2 to 3 sentences q Climbs well q Would rather play with other children than alone q Tells stories q Hops and stands on one foot for up to 2 seconds These are just a few of many important milestones to look for. For more complete checklists by age visit www.cdc.gov/ActEarly or call 1-800-CDC-INFO. For more information about your child’s development and what to do if you have a concern, visit: www.cdc.gov/ActEarly OR CALL: 1-800-CDC-INFO to request a FREE “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Parent Kit or to get help finding resources in your area. Developmental milestones adapted from Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 (AAP, 2009) and Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents (AAP, 2008). Track Your Child’s Developmental Milestones Learn the Signs. Act Early. The journey of your child’s early years includes many developmental milestones for how he or she plays, learns, speaks, and acts. Look inside to learn what to look for in your child. Talk with your child’s doctor about these milestones. Not reaching these milestones, or reaching them much later than other children, could be a sign of a developmental delay. Kentucky “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” For more information call: 502.852.7799 https://louisville.edu/education/kyautismtraining/actearly Seek early intervention, if your child is under age 3, contact the First Steps Program at (800) 442-0087. Contact your local school district’s special education department, if your child is age 3 or older to secure special education services your child is entitled to under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). YOU KNOW YOUR CHILD BEST. If you are concerned about your child’s development, talk to your child’s doctor. If you or the doctor is still concerned, ask the doctor for a referral to a specialist and call 1-800-CDC-INFO to learn how to get connected with your state’s early childhood system to get the help your child might need. Your child’s early development is a journey. Use this map of milestones to know what to look for along the way. For parents of children from birth to 4 years DON’T WAIT. Acting early can make a real difference! Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/ActEarly 1-800-CDC-INFO Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Learn the Signs. Act Early. 220787