Babies and Beyond - Developmental Profile
"I see, hear, smell and taste. I cry to tell you I need something."
 Within the first three months you will typically see your child make some or all of the following
movements:
- lift head up
- holds chest up with arms.
- sucks and swallow
- put objects in their mouth.
- startle easily.
- turn head when cheek is touched.
- has mostly reflexive movement patterns.
The following behaviors indicate that your infant is developing an awareness of their internal and external environment.
- cries when hungry, in pain, tired or bored.
- turns head toward familiar voices.
- responds to change in temperature, light and sound.
In the first three months children typically use the following strategies to communicate:
- makes eye contact.
- coos and gurgles.
- cries to express needs.
- smiles.
- settles with familiar, friendly voice.
Socializing:
- cries to express emotion.
- smiles.
- responds to touching, rocking and singing.
- fusses when over-or under-stimulated.
- does not sleep through night yet.
- needs to be talked to lovingly.
Sexuality:
- enjoys closeness of diapering and bathing.
- is not aware of femaleness or maleness.
- has spontaneous penile erections.
- may have vaginal discharge.
Independence:
- tries to soothe self by sucking fist.
- needs plenty of sleep.
- develops trust through regular routines.
Safety & Guidance:
- support head and neck.
- use safe pacifiers.
- use Canadian approved infant car seat according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- check temperature of bottle and bath water before use.
- check mobiles, rattles and teething rings for loose/broken parts.
- lay baby on back to sleep.
- remove objects that cause suffocation.
- keep babies off waterbeds.
"I need to be close to you. Respond to my need for comfort and nourishment. I wiggle my body and try to talk to you."
 Moving:
- rolls from back to tummy and back.
- sits with support.
- sees, reaches for and holds objects.
- bounces up and down in a supported standing position.
- kicks feet.
- waves hands in excitement.
Thinking:
- recognizes familiar people.
- swipes at objects.
- discovers feet.
- plays with hands.
- anticipates actions (tenses when about to be picked up).
Communicating:
- follows sound by moving head.
- kicks in response to voice.
- enjoys rhymes, chants, picture books.
- gurgles and laughs.
- begins babbling, used to get attention and express demands.
- looks in response to own name.
- make sounds like "ba", "ma", "da".
Socializing:
- smiles when someone smiles and talks.
- laughs.
- looks at self in mirror.
- initiates interaction by smiling, cooing, and crying.
- needs routine baby care to provide security and sense of belonging.
Sexuality:
- places hands in diaper area, touches penis or vagina.
Independence:
- replaces reflexive movement patterns with learned movement.
- has unpredictable sleep patterns.
- needs opportunity for rest and sleep.
Safety & Guidance:
- baby rolls – not to be left unattended.
- provide safe area for baby to explore.
- block stairways.
- put safety plugs in electrical outlets.
- remove small and breakable objects from reach.
- use safety devices for cords – telephone, blind and electrical.
- use screens for fireplace/woodstove.
- protect baby from pets.
"I trust and recognize who your are, and trust you will take care of me."
" I notice when you leave the room, unfamiliar faces, places and things can scare me."
Moving:
- sits alone.
- stands with help.
- moves forward on tummy.
- rocks back and forth on hands and knees.
- crawls.
- attempts to pick up small items. (thumb and forefinger)
Thinking:
- transfers object from one hand to the other.
- looks for hidden objects under cover.
- plays peek-a-boo.
- anticipates frequently occurring routines.
Communicating:
- repeats sounds.
- clicks tongue.
- babbles in singing tones.
- responds to objects frequently named.
- uses gesture language (raises hands up to be picked up).
Socializing:
- pats and pulls at familiar faces.
- notices strangers.
- laughs out loud
- opens mouth to accept spoon.
- may appear anxious with unfamiliar people.
- enjoys being present at meal times.
- imitates social contact by vocalizing , dropping toys or food.
Sexuality:
- may hold penis when erect.
- observes family and significant others who convey messages about sexuality.
Independence:
- plays and amuses self for short periods of time.
- feeds self finger foods.
- establishes sleep patterns with parental support.
Safety & Guidance:
- provide consistency in daily routine.
- safety proof your home, yard and vehicle.
- put poisons in top locked cupboard.
- pad or remove furniture with sharp edges.
- keep plastic bags out of reach.
- remove tablecloths.
- remove poisonous plants.
"I want to explore my environment. I need you to watch me."
"I know you are there even when I can’t see you. I am a separate person."
Moving:
- pulls self up to standing position.
- climbs stairs.
- stands alone.
- walks alone.
- pulls string toys.
- turns handles.
- holds object in either hand.
- grips crayon in fist.
Thinking:
- empties and fills containers.
- points to three body parts.
- stacks objects.
- plays with simple puzzles.
- scribbles with crayon.
- turns pages in a book (a few at a time).
- points to pictures in a book.
Communicating:
- answers "what’s that?"
- asks for "more".
- indicates needs by gestures and sounds.
- says first words.
- asks for common food item.
- imitates sounds for common animals.
- uses sentence-like tones.
- uses "no".
Socializing:
- likes to push and pull toys.
- says own name
- takes part in a game for a couple of minutes (rolls a ball).
- hugs/carries a doll.
- repeats actions that produce laughter.
- is easily distracted.
- makes a choice between two items.
Sexuality:
- is aware of and plays with genitals.
Independence:
- stays dry for at least two hours.
- eats with a spoon, holds a cup.
- takes clothes off.
- tries to wash self.
- wants to do things independently.
Safety & Guidance:
take strings out of hoods in clothing.
- put safety locks on doors and cupboards.
- stay with children playing outdoors.
- keep tools out of reach.
- remove damaged or dangerous toys.
- provide extra supervision near water.
- teach child personal safety.
"Support my exploration. I’m quick to figure out how to climb up to high places.
Tell me what I can do."
"I like to paint and play. I have lots of energy. I think others think like me."
Moving:
- walks backwards.
- walks down stairs with help.
- runs forward.
- throws and kicks a ball.
- squats.
- holds a crayon between thumb and pointer finger.
- puts on T-shirt.
- jumps with both feet.
Thinking:
- gets an object from another room.
- draws a line.
- matches simple objects and colours.
- unwraps small packages.
- takes things apart.
- strings large beads.
- takes on imaginary roles.
Communicating:
- asks "why", "what".
- uses a specific word for bathroom.
- combines two to five words.
- answers "where", and "who" questions.
- says "mine" or "me".
- understands and uses action words (up, under, jump).
- talks when playing, clarity increases.
Socializing:
- defends own possessions, saying "mine."
- dances to music.
- pretends to do adult activities.
- plays beside other children.
- makes choices.
- cooperates about half of the time.
- starts to show concern for others.
Sexuality:
- relates self to sex role stereotypes.
- identifies male and female from outward characteristics.
- is curious about other people’s body parts.
- looks for similarities and differences.
Independence:
- begins bladder and bowel control.
- pours juice from a small container into a cup.
- eats with fork and spoon (usually messily).
- asks to be to the bathroom.
- naps once a day.
Safety & Guidance:
- teach personal hygiene (hand washing).
- talk about safety and danger.
- play in fenced, supervised areas.
- lock up adult materials, guns, matches, lighters.
- continue Canadian approved car set use until child reaches weight recommended.
"I have lots of emotions. Help me to understand myself."
"I like to play with others but it’s hard to wait and take a turn."
Moving:
- jumps forward.
- walks to tiptoe.
- marches.
- catches a ball some of the time.
- unzips.
- dances.
- rides a tricycle.
Thinking:
- puts simple puzzle together.
- copies a circle.
- draws and names a picture.
- names three shapes – circle, triangle, square.
- is aware of differences.
- begins to understand quantity.
- identifies colours.
- begins to question the world.
Communicating:
- tells full name when asked.
- repeats rhymes, chants and fingerplays.
- names "big" and "little" objects.
- counts in imitation.
- bosses others.
- uses understandable sentences.
- carries on conversations.
- includes, different endings on words (-s, -ed, -ing).
Socializing:
- sings and dances to music.
- plays beside and sometimes with other children using similar materials.
- shows understanding of emotion.
- has preference for some people.
- pretends with dress-up clothes, dolls, animals.
- plays alone for short periods of time.
- sometimes has imaginary friends.
Sexuality:
- uses body humour.
- asks questions about babies and personal body parts.
- has beliefs about pregnancy, especially delivery.
- may participate in mutual body exploration with friends of same age.
- identifies gender roles according to family beliefs.
Independence:
- blows own nose (with reminders).
- puts on and takes off clothes.
- brushes teeth.
- occasionally pees or poops in pants.
Safety & Guidance:
- teach street, animal and traffic safety.
- practice family fire drills.
- talk to your child about keeping self safe with others.
"Sometimes I’m bossy because I know about so many new things.
Give me a few choices instead of telling me, ‘no’."
"I dress myself, I like to make decisions, I feel bigger."
Moving:
- rides a bicycle with training wheels.
- jumps on one foot.
- catches a ball.
- somersaults.
- cuts with scissors.
- pastes with glue.
- runs – changes directions.
- walks down stairs alternating feet.
Thinking:
- asks for help.
- finds "top" and "bottom."
- understands "in front", behind, beside."
- finds objects that are similar and different.
- makes clay shapes.
- draws recognizable pictures.
- copies shapes and letters.
- knows primary colours.
Communicating:
- listens to ideas of others.
- tells jokes.
- understands symbols.
- shows interest in printing.
- uses plurals and past tense.
- answers telephone.
- uses the words, "will", "hers", "his".
- asks meanings of words.
- tells long story accurately.
Socializing:
- runs, jumps, plays games.
- uses imagination.
- tells stories.
- plays with other children, takes turns.
- acts out puppet stories.
- follows directions.
- likes helping.
- looks for "fairness" in others’ decision making.
Sexuality:
- may show preference for opposite-sex parent.
- may compete with same-sex parent.
Independence:
- dresses and undresses self.
- tries to tie shoes.
- serves self at meal times.
- shows preference for some foods.
- helps with simple household chores.
Safety & Guidance:
- make sure bicycle helmet is worn.
- supervise bike-riding activities.
- teach and model road safety.
- teach telephone number, address and identify a safe neighbour.
- set guidelines for where and with whom your child plays and follow-up.
"I have lots of ideas I want to share with you.
Talk to me and teach me how to do things for myself."
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