HOW CHILDREN DEVELOP (Second Part)

By the age of 2 YEARS

A child should be able to

● walk, climb and run

● point to objects or pictures when they are named (e.g., nose, eyes, ears)

● say several words together (from about 15 months)

● follow simple instructions

● scribble if given a pencil or crayon

● enjoy simple stories and songs

● imitate the behaviour of others

● begin to eat by herself or himself.

Advice for parents and other caregivers:

● read to and sing or play games with the child

● teach the child to avoid dangerous objects

● talk to the child normally – do not use baby talk

● continue to breastfeed and ensure the child has enough food and a variety of family foods

● make sure the child is fully immunized

● encourage, but do not force, the child to eat

● provide simple rules and set reasonable expectations

● praise the child’s achievements, provide reassurance when the child is afraid and continue to give consistent affection every day.

Warning signs to watch for:

● lack of response to others

● difficulty keeping balance while walking 

● injuries and unexplained changes in behaviour (especially if the child has been cared for by others)

● lack of appetite.

By the age of 3 YEARS

A child should be able to:

● walk, run, climb, kick and jump easily

● recognize and identify common objects and pictures by pointing

● make sentences of two or three words

● say her or his own name and age

● name colours

● understand numbers

● use make-believe objects in play

● feed herself or himself

● express affection.

Advice for parents and other caregivers:

● read and look at books with the child and talk about the pictures

● tell the child stories and teach rhymes and songs

● give the child her or his own bowl or plate of food

● continue to encourage the child to eat, giving the child as much time as she or he needs

● help the child learn to dress, use the toilet or latrine and wash her or his hands with soap and water or a substitute, such as ash and water, after defecating and before touching food and eating 

● listen to and answer all the child’s questions

● encourage creative play, building and drawing

● give the child simple tasks, such as putting toys back in their place, to build responsibility 

● limit television watching and ensure that violent shows are not viewed

● acknowledge and encourage positive behaviour and set clear limits

● provide consistent affection every day

● if available, enrol the child in an early learning (play) activity with other children.

Warning signs to watch for:

● loss of interest in playing

● frequent falling

● difficulty manipulating small objects

● failure to understand simple messages

● inability to speak using several words

● little or no interest in food.

OUR COURTESY TO UNICEF