I feel secure—my needs for food, comfort, love & care are met. I calm myself.

I show many emotions with my face, words & gestures. I begin to control my impulses—I sometimes, but not always, wait for something I want.

I name the feelings of myself & others. I usually respond to being redirected to appropriate activities.

I name & often express emotions using words. I am learning not to hurt others.

I recognize & manage my feelings. I respect the rights of others.

1. Developing Emotional Well-Being

My eyes follow a moving object side-to-side, up/down & in a circle.

My eyes smoothly follow an object, like looking towards my spoon, then towards the person feeding me.

My eyes follow an object, focusing near & far without moving my head.

None at this age. None at this age.9. Seeing Clearly

I hear simple position words like up/down, in/out.

I begin to understand simple position words like up/down, in/out, over/under.

I follow directions that include position words, like “Please get the ball under the table.” I complete a single-shape puzzle.

I understand & use position words—up/down; over/under; on/off; in/out. I complete simple puzzles.

I understand position words—near/far; behind/in front of/next to; above/below. I complete more difficult puzzles.

20. Spatial Relationships

I am sung to daily. I sing along with others—usually not in words but with sounds.

I sing by myself. I recognize words that rhyme. I say rhymes & sing songs.14. Singing, Chanting & Rhyming

I hear people say the names of colors.

I point to some colors (18 months). I identify up to six colors. I name six to nine colors. I name ten or more colors. 25. Knowing Colors

I watch people write on paper. I grip a crayon & scribble. I pretend to write. I print or copy some letters of my first name.

I print my first name & write some familiar words.

19. Printing First Name

I begin finger-feeding, drinking from an open cup & pulling off my hat & socks (7-8 months).

I begin to use a spoon, first holding it (12-18 months), then using it to eat (24 months). I know socks go on my feet & a hat on my head.

I begin to dress myself with help. I sometimes use a spoon & fork when eating—I might make a mess. I wash my hands with help.

I pour milk or juice—I might spill. I begin to use a dull knife to spread & cut food with help. I try to button, snap & tie when dressing.

I use a spoon, fork & dull knife with good coordination. I put shoes on & may begin to tie them. I button or zip my coat.

6. Meeting Self-Help & Physical Needs

I feel connected to my caregivers by their eye contact, words & gentle touching—they play games with me like Pat-a-Cake.

I feel loved & safe—my caregivers respond promptly to my needs—they smile, cuddle & play with me.

I play side-by-side with other children & learn to take turns.

I play with other children. I am learning to share.

I play well with two or more children.2. Relating to Others

I hear my caregivers namingcommon objects.

I point to familiar objects when asked.

I see symbols & words on five common objects in my home.

I recognize the meaning of five symbols & words in my home.

I recognize the meaning of ten symbols & words in my community.

10. Recognizing Symbols & Words

I may group a few like objects with help (8-12 months).

I sometimes sort objects by myself.

I sort similar objects by color, shape or type—trucks, balls or blocks.

I put objects in order from large to small. I group objects such as food, clothes & animals.

I sort objects by color, shape & size. I match objects that go together & group at least three objects into a common category—cookie, egg, cereal = things to eat.

21. Sorting Objects

I react differently to various sounds.

I say the last word in familiar songs or phrases with help.

I clap & jump while singing. I say the ending sounds of words that rhyme.

I repeat the beginning sounds in words.

I identify the beginning sounds in words, including those in my first name.

15. Saying Sounds in Words

None for this age. I play with number shapes like magnetic numbers.

I match some number shapes like in a number puzzle.

I identify numbers at least 1 – 9. I identify numbers at least 1 – 12.26. Knowing Numbers

I learn to reach for & grasp objects I see around me.

I play with lots of different toys & objects, stack them up, knock them down, fit them together & take them apart.

I stack more objects & put them in a row. I like scooping & pouring sand & water.

I stack ten blocks in a tower. With supervision, I thread beads on a string & snip paper with a scissors.

I use crayons, pencils or markers using the proper grip. I cut on a line with scissors. I make simple block structures like a house.

7. Developing Hand Skills

I focus for a short time when others interact with me.

I pay attention to what others are looking at or pointing to.

I play independently or focus on an engaging activity with an adult for short periods of time.

I focus on simple tasks like putting together a puzzle.

I focus on a task for at least five minutes.3. Increasing Attention Span

I see interesting shapes around my crib & home. I recognize the faces of my family.

People show me the first letter of my name & I recognize it.

I know & say the first letter of my name. I match a few different letters & shapes.

I identify & say some letters in my first name. I find or make letters out of sticks, pretzels or other objects.

I identify & say ten or more letters of the alphabet. I write letters. 11. Matching, Naming & Creating

Letter Shapes

People play games with me using familiar patterns like three kisses, two claps, nursery rhymes.

I begin to make simple patterns like putting my toys in a line.

I follow two-step patterns like red-blue, red-blue or clap-stomp, clap-stomp.

I identify &/or create two-step patterns using colors, sizes & shapes.

I clap three- to five-step sound patterns. I play simple memory games.

22. Making Patterns

I watch mouths as people talk. I start to make cooing & babbling sounds.

I babble & start to say small words, like “hi”, “no”, “Mama” & “Dada.”

I say the sounds of letters like “b – d – m – n – p – t” & use them in words.

I say the sounds of more letters like “k – g – y – f – s” & use them in words.

I say the sounds of more letters like “z – ch – sh – r – l” & use them in words.

16. Saying Letter Sounds

I hear people count. I hear people count objects like one, two, three crackers. I hear numbers in everyday routines like two shoes, three stairs.

I say numbers like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5– usually in order.

I count to ten or more in order & show my age with my fingers.

I count to 20 or more in order. I count objects one at a time in order.

27. Counting

I learn to hold my head up, push up when playing on my tummy, then roll over. I learn to sit, crawl, then pull up to stand with help.

I walk by myself (12-15 months). I start walking backwards & up steps with help. I squat, push & pull. I love to climb on & explore everything!

I climb stairs easily, jump with two feet, throw & kick a ball. I sometimes pedal or use my feet to move riding toys. I stop & start—I run without bumping into things.

I hop on one foot, walk in a straight line, catch a large bouncing ball, pedal & steer a tricycle.

I move my body with strength & control while walking, running, jumping, climbing & skipping. I throw, catch & bounce a ball easily. I carry my food tray—usually without spilling.

8. Developing Movement Skills

I enjoy turn-taking games like Peek-a-Boo.

I begin to follow one-step directions like “Please get your cup.”

I begin to follow two-step directions like “Please get your cup & put it on the table.”

I easily remember & follow two-step directions. I understand basic safety rules.

I remember & follow three-step directions. I follow safety & social rules.

4. Following Directions

I hear & watch faces when people talk to me in short, simple sentences.

I hear people talk to me throughout the day.

Same as ages 1-2. I hear my caregivers speak to me about 30 times an hour.

Same as ages 3-4.12. Hearing Spoken Words

I hold a writing tool in my fist & make marks on paper (9-12 months).

I scribble up/down & side-to-side (14 months), then in circles (24 months).

I trace over simple shapes. I copy simple shapes made by others.

I trace or copy numbers, letters & simple shapes.

I write numbers, letters & make simple shapes.

23. Copying & Tracing

I hear when people read to me. I hear & look when people read to me. I answer “Where is…” questions by pointing.

I talk about what is read to me. I predict what comes next in familiar books. I answer “what” & “how” questions.

I retell the story & I make up different parts to make it my own story.

17. Understanding Books

I understand the concept of “more” food & play.

I understand “more” & “all gone.” I begin to understand big/small, more/less, & all/none. I know the difference between one & two objects like “Please bring me one block” or “Please bring me two shoes.”

I recognize groups of objects & compare them using more, less or same.

I add or subtract using groups of objects like “If I have three apples and take away one, how many are left?”

28. Adding & Subtracting

I am very dependent on my family. I may cooperate during routines like lifting up when you change my diaper.

I like to help during daily routines. I like encouragement when I “help” with tasks. My new self-help skills, like brushing my teeth & undressing, give me confidence.

I help dress myself, put toys away & do simple chores. I take care of my toileting & hygiene needs.

I take care of all my dressing, hygiene & toileting needs. I help clean up after an activity.

5. Taking Responsibility

I babble or vocalize using sounds—loud & soft, high & low—to communicate.

I try to repeat words I hear. I imitate some animal sounds. I say one- to two-word sentences.

I know lots of words. I communicate using words my family members understand.

I talk to another person using four to six words in my sentence.

I express feelings, needs & wants in complete, multi-word sentences.13. Developing Verbal Skills

I play with objects in a variety of shapes.

I play with shape toys. I identify & match some shapes like circles, squares, rectangles, triangles.

I name four to six shapes like octagon, diamond, oval, star, heart.

I name seven to eight different shapes.

24. Knowing Shapes

I choose to play with books. I point to pictures in a book & help turn the pages.

I look at books by myself & pretend to read, usually holding the book correctly.

I know some parts of a book (page, title, front, back, pictures) & hold a book correctly. I know pictures have meaning.

I show how print in a book works—left to right, top to bottom. I know letters make words & words have meaning.

18. Knowing Print Concepts

If you have concerns about your child’s progress following these stepping stones or need assistance to help your child reach these stepping stones, here are some resources:

• Call2-1-1(freeinformationhotline)oryourlocalschool.• Logontowww.get211.orgorwww.browncountychildren.org.

What does your child need to be successful in school? Beyond knowing the “A-B-Cs and 1-2-3s”, there are many skills important for learning. Your child’s journey for learning begins at birth with the bond that develops between you and your child. You are your child’s first teacher. Here are the stepping stones to lead your child on the path to school success.

STEPPINg STONES

visit browncountychildren.org

Coordinated through:

Target Birth – 1 Ages 1-2 Ages 2-3 Ages 3-4 Ages 4-5

Target Birth – 1 Ages 1-2 Ages 2-3 Ages 3-4 Ages 4-5

Target Birth – 1 Ages 1-2 Ages 2-3 Ages 3-4 Ages 4-5

Target Birth – 1 Ages 1-2 Ages 2-3 Ages 3-4 Ages 4-5

FOR SCHOOL SUCCESS (BIRTH TO FIVE…)

14”

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Directions:Tape the Growth Chart to your wall or back of a door so that the first line of measurement is 14 inches from the floor.

Date

When your child is 3, 4 or 5 years old by Sept. 1, contact your area school in February about registering your child for PreK/Kindergarten.

Social & Emotional Development

Language Development & Communication

Thinking Skills

Physical Development

© Copyright 2009 Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce – Partners in Education & Brown County United Way