Families

Family Resources

Parents cuddling with newborn and toddler

Child Care Connections

Family Resource Hub

At Child Care Connections, we are dedicated to providing parents and caregivers with the resources you need to raise healthy, happy kids. Here, you can explore tools and guidance to nurture your child’s growth, ensure their health and safety, and discover local services and support to help meet your family’s needs.

For additional assistance, you can schedule a Family Support Meeting with our Family Engagement Coordinator. Sarah is here to help you navigate any challenges you may be facing, and connect you to resources that will be helpful to your family. Book an appointment to get the support you need!

Schedule a Famliy Support Meeting

Families Engagement

Parenting Resources

Find local and virtual parenting and developmental resources for your families unique needs.

Resources

Familes

Choosing Quality Child Care

Quality child care is safe, nurturing, and educational. Our quality care tools take the guesswork out of finding quality child care.

Quality Child Care

Families

Child Safety Program

Providing free education and resources on child safety, especially head trauma- this program offers free bike helmets and bike safety events.

Child Safety

Developmental Milestones

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about their development. Click on the age of your child to see the milestones that you can expect as your child grows. You can learn more about developmental milestones by visiting Learn the Signs. Act Early.

You can also track your child’s milestones with the CDC’s free Milestone Tracker App. This resource includes tips and activities to support your child’s development at every age, resources for when you have concerns, and reminders to help you keep track of your child’s doctors’ appointments. Download the app here.

2 months

What most babies do by this age:

Social and Emotional

Calms down when spoken to or picked up
Looks at your face
Seems Happy to see you when you walk up to her

Language/Communication

Makes sounds other than crying
Reacts to loud sounds

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Watches you as you move
Looks at a toy for several seconds

Movement/Physical Development

Holds head up when on tummy
Moves both arms and both legs
Opens hands briefly

4 months

What most babies do by this age:

Social and Emotional

Smiles on his own to get your attention
Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make her laugh
Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention

Language/Communication

Makes sounds like “oooo”, “aahh” (cooing)
Makes sounds back when you talk to him
Turns head towards the sound of your voice

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

If hungry, opens mouth when she sees breast or bottle
Looks at his hands with interest

Movement/Physical Development

Holds head steady without support when you are holding her
Holds a toy when you put it in his hand
Uses her arm to swing at toys
Brings hands to mouth
Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy

6 months

What most babies do by this age:

Social and Emotional

Knows familiar people
Likes to look at self in a mirror
Laughs

Language/Communication

Takes turns making sounds with you
Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
Make squealing noises

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Puts things in her mouth to explore them
Reaches to grab a toy he wants
Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement/Physical Development

Rolls from tummy to back
Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
Leans on hands to support himself when sitting

9 months

What most babies do by this age:

Social and Emotional

Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
Looks when you call her name
Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries)
Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo

Language/Communication

Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “babababa”
Lifts arms to be picked up

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)
Bangs two things together

Movement/Physical Development

Gets to a sitting position by herself
Moves things from one hand to her other hand
Uses fingers to “rake” food towards himself
Sits without support

1 year

What most children do by this age:

Social and Emotional

Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake

Language/Communication

Waves “bye-bye”
Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket

Movement/Physical Development

Pulls up to stand
Walks, holding on to furniture
Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like a small bits of food

15 months

What most children do by this age:

Social and Emotional

Copies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does
Shows you an object she likes
Claps when excited
Hugs stuffed doll or other toy
Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)

Language/Communication

Tries to say one or two words beside “mama,” or “dada,” like “ba” for ball or “da” for dog
Looks at a familiar object when you name it
Follows directions given with both a gesture and words. For example, he gives you a toy when you hold out your hand and say, “Give me the toy.”
Points to ask for something or to get help

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book
Stacks at least two small objects, like blocks

Movement/Physical Development

Takes a few steps on his own
Uses fingers to feed herself some food

18 months

What most children do by this age:

Social and Emotional

Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by
Points to show you something interesting
Put hands out for you to wash them
Looks at a few pages in a book with you
Helps you dress him by pushing are through sleeve or lifting up foot

Language/Communication

Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada”
Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving yo the toy when you say, “give it to me”

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car

Movement/Physical Development

Walks without holding on to anyone or anything
Scribbles
Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
Feeds herself with her fingers
Tries to use a spoon
Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help

2 years

What most children do by this age:

Social and Emotional

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

Points to things in a book when you ask things, 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 (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

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

30 months

What most children do by this age:

Social and Emotional

Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them
Shows you what she can do by saying “look at me!”
Follows simple routines when told, like helping to pick up toys when you say “It’s clean-up time.”

Language/Communication

Says about 50 words
says two or more words, with one actions word, like “Doggie run”
Names things in a book when you point and ask, “What is this?”
Says words like “I,” “me,” or “we”

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food
Shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a small stool to reach something
Follows two-step instructions like “Put the toy down and close the door.”
Shows he knows at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, “Which one is read?”

Movement/Physical Development

Uses hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids
Take some clothes off by himself, like loose pants or an open jacket
Jumps off the ground with both feet
Turns book pages, one at a time, when you read to her

3 years

What most children do by this age:

Social and Emotional

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

Language/Communication

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 other to understand, most of the time

Cognitive (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

Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
Puts on some clothes by himself, like loose pants or a jacket
Uses a fork

4 years

What most children do by this age:

Social and Emotional

Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
Ask to go play with children in 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

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 his day, like “I played soccer.”
Answers simple questions like “what is a coat for?” or “what is a crayon for?”

Cognitive (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

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

5 years

What most children do by this age:

Social and Emotional

Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children
Sings, dances, or acts for you
Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating

Language/Communication

Tells a story she heard or made up with at least two events. For example, a cat was stuck in a tree and a firefighter saved it
Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it to him

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Counts to 10
Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them
Uses words about time, like “yesterday, “tomorrow,” “morning,” or “night”
Pays attention for 5 to 10 minutes during the activities. For example, during story time or making arts and crafts (screen time does not count)
Writes some letters in her name
Names some letters when you point to them

Movement/Physical Development

Buttons some buttons
Hops on one foot

Concerned about your child’s development?

As a parent, you know your child best. You can advocate for your child’s needs if they are not meeting the milestones for their age, or you have concerns about their development. Don’t wait. Acting early can make a difference! The first step is to talk to your pediatrician, share your concerns, and ask about Developmental Screening. A guide from the CDC offers steps to Get Help for Your Child when you have developmental concerns.

You can also ask for a referral for a more in-depth evaluation of your child. This can determine if your child is eligible for early intervention services and supports. Learn more about early intervention by clicking below!

Learn More