Sanford Health

Child Development

Have you ever asked yourself “Why do children do that?” or “What will my child do next?” Child development experts at Sanford Children’s may be able to help answer your child development questions.

As the community outreach arm of Sanford Children’s, CHILD Services’ staff are able to connect the many resources of Sanford Children’s and the community together to meet the needs of children and families. Through services and information, trained staff are available to assist parents, child care providers and early childhood teachers in obtaining information on children’s development.

To access all services contact us at (605) 333-0698 or email childsrv@sanfordhealth.org

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Baby’s Emotional Milestones

Becoming interested in their world : Birth to 3 months

  • Enjoys being touched
  • Enjoys moving (up & down, side to side)
  • Sometimes able to calm down and sleep regularly

Falling in Love: 2-7 months

  • Becomes fascinated with you by looking at you with special, joyful smile
  • Gazes at you with great interest
  • Smiles in response to your voice talking to them
  • “Talks” back to you

Develops Intentional Communication : 3-10 months

Sometimes:

  • Imitates sounds
  • Imitates expressions
  • Begins to explore and be curious
  • Reaches up to be held for comfort
  • Initiates interactions and looks for you to respond

Beginning to Understand they are a “person”: 9-18 months

Sometimes:

  • Initiates complex behavior patterns (roll a ball back and forth with you, point at refrigerator for juice, play a chasing game)
  • Uses different ways to get attention to be close to you (pulling on your leg, reaching up with arms outstretched while vocalizing)

Creating Emotional Ideas: 18-36 months

Sometimes:

  • Can pretend play with others
  • Makes designs with blocks
  • Uses words or gestures to express feelings (shake head, point)
  • Uses words or gestures to communicate the desire to be close to you.
  • Uses words or gestures to be assertive and curious.
  • May be cooperative.

Emotional Thinking: The Basis of Fantasy, Reality, and Self-Esteem 30-48 months

Sometimes:

  • Knows what is real and what isn’t
  • Follows rules
  • Realizes behaviors can be related to consequences
  • Pretend play becomes more complex.

Developed with funding from South Dakota Department of Social Services’ Office of Child Care Services and the Bush Foundation in cooperation with South Dakota Children’s of Sioux Valley Hospital and USD Medical Center.

7/28/2008

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