Child Development Fair

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying
• Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation

Language/Communication Milestones

• Points to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?”
• Says at least two words together, like “More milk.”
• Points to at least two body parts when you ask him to show you
• Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes

Cognitive Milestones

(learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Holds something in one hand while using the other hand; for example, holding a container and taking the lid off
• Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy
• Plays with more than one toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Kicks a ball
• Runs
• Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
• Eats with a spoon

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave her, like at a childcare drop off
• Notices other children and joins them to play

Language/Communication Milestones

• Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges
• Asks “who,” “what,” “where,” or “why” questions, like “Where is mommy/daddy?”
• Says what action is happening in a picture or book when asked, like “running,” “eating,” or “playing”
• Says first name, when asked
• Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time

Cognitive Milestones
(learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Draws a circle, when you show him how
• Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn her

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
• Puts on some clothes by themself, like loose pants or a jacket
• Uses a fork to feed self

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
• Asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I play with Alex?”
• Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
• Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playground
• Likes to be a “helper”
• Changes behavior based on where she is (place of worship, library, playground)

Language/Communication Milestones

• Says sentences with four or more words
• Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme
• Talks about at least one thing that happened during her day, like “I played soccer.”
• Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”

Cognitive Milestones
(learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Names a few colors of items
• Tells what comes next in a well-known story
• Draws a person with three or more body parts

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Catches a large ball most of the time
• Scoops themself food or pours water, with adult supervision
• Unbuttons large buttons
• Holds crayon or small pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)