Invest in Kids - For Parents

Your Child From 6 to 18 Months
From Dependence to Independence: The Most Important Developmental Achievements

SOCIAL		COGNITIVE
Typically Can:		Typically Can:
	Feed self but is still messy		Point to body parts
	Imitate others		Begin to pretend play
	Drink out of a cup		Initiate activities
	Has no concept of sharing		Realize things exist when they are out-of-sight
	Fight limit setting
	Remain "egocentric" and think the world exsists for him/her
Emerging Skills:		Emerging Skills:
	Pull on pants		Sort and match things
	Play alongside another child		Distinguish colours and shapes
			Begin to understand the passing of time and the meaning of "when we go home", "not now", and "tomorrow"

LANGUAGE		EMOTIONAL
Typically Can:		Typically Can:
	Say a few words		Be very curious and "gets into things"
	Use gestures as well to show they want something		Become more of an individual
	Understand simple instructions		Be reluctant to change
	Follow one command		Be subject to mood swings and tantrums
Emerging Skills:		Emerging Skills:
	Listen to a story		Concentrate on a task for some time
	Sing songs		Show concern for others
	Understand far more words than will say

GROSS MOTOR		FINE MOTOR
Typically Can:		Typically Can:
	Walk alone		Place 10 cubes in a cup
	Walk up and down stairs with hand held		Grasp items with thumb and forefinger
	Throw a ball		Target small objects
	Turn head freely		Stack 3 - 4 blocks
	Sit down from standing		Turn page of a book
	"Dance" to music		Scribble
	Ride on small-wheeled toys		Fill and empty containers
Emerging Skills:		Emerging Skills:
	Step backwards		Fold paper
	Step sideways		Attempt simple puzzles
	Begin to run		Imitate a stroke
	Jump and climb
	Seat self on a small chair
GAMES & ACTIVITIES FOR YOU & YOUR BABY: Movement games are important and great fun at this age and also help contribute to a strong sense of separateness and strength of the child's own body. These games can include "dancing" to music, "follow the leader", riding toys and jumping jacks. Pretend games can be introduced by songs and stories such as "Anybody Home", "Row-Row-Row Your Boat", and pretending to be a monster. Make sure your monster is not too scary! Language activities such as singing songs, nursery rhymes and verses, or reading books Introduce your child to familiar words and sounds. Bounce him/her on your lap while you sing the songs and play the games. Making animal and other familiar sounds and linking them to pictures will help your child put sounds, objects and pictures together. Songs and rhymes should be fun and repeated often since children will gradually become familiar with tunes and words they hear frequently.

For more information please call 1-877-583-KIDS.

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