The early years are a vital time for children's development and learning. Not all children develop at the same rate, but the following information may help you to understand and encourage the development of your child, or the children you care for. Have fun watching your child as he or she reacts to and learns from new experiences; this is a very exciting time for both of you. Choose an age from the list below: At 2 Months most children can: hold their head up respond to a smiling person roll part way to their side make sounds of discomfort search to locate sounds visually fix on close objects At 3 Months most children can: lift head and chest when lying on stomach recognize bottle or breast smile when talked to show active body movement follow moving things with their eyes At 4 Months most children can: hold their head up for a long time without bobbing laugh out loud roll from front to back like to play grab an object held near their hand At 6 Months most children can: make sounds when talked to sit with support roll from back to stomach turn and look at sounds change objects from hand to hand and from hand to mouth make sounds to mirror and toys begin to fear strangers begin to imitate actions pick up dropped objects bear almost all their weight when supported in a standing position At 9 Months most children can: sit alone and change position say mama and dada crawl respond to people they know respond to their name understand the meaning of “no” pull self to standing grasp objects with thumb and index finger At 12 Months most children can: nod their heads to signal yes say two or three words comprehend simple sommands associate names with an object sit dowm without help pull themselves to stand and may step with support develop an attachment to a toy or object cling to parents At 15 Months most children can: walk without support do some self-feeding speak and make their voice go up and down drink from a cup held by someone use four or five words At 18 Months most children can: walk use five to ten words climb up and down stairs pull toys that have wheels mark on paper with crayons understand easy directions jump in place turn pages of a book by flipping many at a time build a tower of 3 to 4 blocks At 2 Years most children can: give toys when asked recognize a familiar picture and know if it is upside down kick a large ball use two or three words together such as more juice At 3 Years most children can: walk up stairs holding railing unbutton large buttons stand for a moment on one foot talk of toilet needs open doors stack objects by size ask and answer simple questions speak clearly and is understood by family members At 4 Years most children can: hop in place throw a ball above their head wash hands without help copy a circle begin to play with other children know their own sex, age and last name? name answer out loud to “Hi” and “How are you”