Birth through 12 months 13 through 24 months 25 through 36 months Comfort Stage Competence Stage Control Stage birth-4 months Friendly toward others; less wary of strangers Tend to play next to (parallel play) rather than with other children Express needs with distinct cries May express fear of new sounds, people, and situations Play with 2-3 other children for short periods of Smile in response to a friendly face or voice Smile or coo to get their caregiver's attention Play alone for short periods time Show interest in children their own age Participate in simple group activities (singing, Enjoy physical contact Seek approval Prefer to be with primary care giver dancing, clapping, etc.) Enjoy being held and read to and respond to image of self in mirror Begin to "play house" and take on simple roles Imitate adult’s actions in play Learn to trust when needs are met (e.g., picked (e.g., mommy, daddy or baby) Test boundaries and limits up when crying) Show pride with what they make and do May refuse to cooperate with daily routines Want to get own way Easily frustrated Become aware of others’ feelings (empathy) months Express frustration by crying, hitting, biting or May express a rapid change in mood Prefer to play with people more than toys grabbing May express a fear of the dark or monsters for Respond differently to facial expressions such Enjoy turn-taking games the first time as frowns and smiles Show a strong sense of self by trying to direct Express a wide range of emotions including Laugh out loud the actions of others jealously, fear, anger, sympathy, pride, Hesitant with strangers (stranger anxiety) Become possessive of toys; claim things as embarrassment, anxiety and joy Use body and/or verbalization to get "mine"; have difficulty sharing caregiver’s attention Express likes and dislikes for certain Enjoy social play (“pat a cake”, little piggy”) “this people, objects, or situations Demonstrate a sense of humor Consistency Stage months Extend arms upward to be picked up Offer toys/objects to others Repeat behavior that gets attention Want parent or caregiver to stay within sight Form an attachment to a special object (e.g., blanket, pacifier, stuffed animal, etc.)
Birth through 12 months Comfort Stage 13 through 24 months Competence Stage 25 through 36 months Control Stage birth-4 months Express needs with distinct cries Smile in response to a friendly face or voice Smile or coo to get their caregiver's attention Enjoy physical contact Prefer to be with primary care giver and respond to image of self in mirror Learn to trust when needs are met (e.g., picked up when crying) months Prefer to play with people more than toys Respond differently to facial expressions such as frowns and smiles Laugh out loud Hesitant with strangers (stranger anxiety) Use body and/or verbalization to get caregiver’s attention Enjoy social play (“pat a cake”, “this little piggy”) Consistency Stage months Extend arms upward to be picked up Offer toys/objects to others Repeat behavior that gets attention Want parent or caregiver to stay within sight Form an attachment to a special object (e.g., blanket, pacifier, stuffed animal, etc.) Friendly toward others; less wary of strangers May express fear of new sounds, people, and situations Play alone for short periods Show interest in children their own age Seek approval Enjoy being held and read to Imitate adult’s actions in play Test boundaries and limits May refuse to cooperate with daily routines Easily frustrated Express frustration by crying, hitting, biting or grabbing Enjoy turn-taking games Show a strong sense of self by trying to direct the actions of others Become possessive of toys; claim things as "mine"; have difficulty sharing Express likes and dislikes for certain people, objects, or situations Demonstrate a sense of humor Tend to play next to (parallel play) rather than with other children Play with 2-3 other children for short periods of time Participate in simple group activities (singing, dancing, clapping, etc.) Begin to "play house" and take on simple roles (e.g., mommy, daddy or baby) Show pride with what they make and do Want to get own way Become aware of others’ feelings (empathy) May express a rapid change in mood May express a fear of the dark or monsters for the first time Express a wide range of emotions including jealously, fear, anger, sympathy, pride, embarrassment, anxiety and joy
E9khGhGRSwecosfPJ588_Mullins%20Developmental%20Characteristics%20Infants%20%20Toddlers.docx