Child development happens in stages.

Infant (Birth-12 months)

Toddler (1-3 years)

Early Childhood (4-8 years)

We will learn about how language and cognitive development happens in a typical day for Sophie, a 2 year old toddler who lives at home with her mother and father.

Sophie is greeted by her mother as she wakes up in the morning. "Hello Sophie! Did you sleep well? Are you hungry? Let's get you dressed and have breakfast so we can start our day," her mother says as she helps her up.

"Hi , Mommy", says Sophie with a smile.

*Sophie's mother is using short sentences and asking questions that will help stimulate her cognitive and language development. Sophie is able to recognize her mother and say her name.

Sophie used her spoon to finish her yogurt, and then her mother asked her to put her bowl and spoon in the sink. Sophie did what her mother asked without missing a beat.

"Mommy, I did it!" Sophie exclaimed.

Her mother looked at her proudly and said, "Thank you, you did a great job Sophie! I like how you are cleaning up after yourself."

*Sophie is able to say sentences with at least 3-4 words and follow simple instructions from her mother.

Sophie's father came in to the kitchen. "Good morning everyone!" he said.

"Good morning everyone, Daddy" said Sophie.

Her father laughed and covered his face with his hands. "Peek a boo!" he said.

Sophie quickly covered her face and said "Peek a Boo" in between giggles.

*Sophie repeats words that she hears other say and she can play simple games such as "peek a boo" with her family.

After breakfast, Sophie and her mother head to the living room to play. Her mother reads a book out loud to Sophie and asks her to point to the dog, cat, and chickens on the page, which she happily does.

After the story, Sophie gets out her favorite blocks and begins sorting them. "Red, red, blue, green", she says as she puts them neatly into piles.

She stacks the blocks into towers according to color and watches the towers fall with glee. After playtime, they take a walk through their neighborhood.

*Sophie can name pictures from a book, stack 4 or more blocks, and sort items according to color, shape and size.