BCPL Text Version - Birth to Five - Early Literacy Resources

Creates a bond between the child and the adult.
Enables parents and caregivers to communicate their interests and concerns in an enjoyable way.
Educates children about the world and people around them.
Creates a love of books early, which will help children succeed later in school.

Developmental Tips

Guidelines for growth and interaction. Research shows that infants and toddlers grow and develop in predictable patterns. The exact rate, however, may vary from child to child. The milestone table below lists developmental norms for children, based on their age. Parents and caregivers should play games and do exercises that will support the child's current level of development. If you have concerns about a child's development, call Baltimore County Infants and Toddlers at 410-887-3419 (birth to 3 years) or Child Find (3 years and up) at 410-887-3017. Don't forget, BCPL's librarians will help you find materials to answer any questions you might have.

Promote Brain Development
The following information was compiled using information gathered from the Brain Wonders website. Brain Wonders is a collaborative project of Zero to Three, Erikson Institute, and Boston University School of Medicine.

Newborn to 2 months:	What You Can Do:
Brain Growth	Feed your baby breast milk or formula to get the brain development off to a good start.
Safety First	Avoid jiggling her or throwing her in the air.
Early Learning	An active life encourages his brain to develop.
Senses	Read her signals; too much stimulation is not helpful.
Babies Develop At Own Rates	If you need help determining what is expected, consult your pediatrician.

2 to 6 months:	What You Can Do:
Relationships and Emotions	Help him calm down in periods of distress.
Patterns and Routines	Give her chances to repeat pleasing activities.
Senses	Show him what he looks like in a mirror.
Motor Coordination	Play with her on the floor for exercise.
Language Development	Read simple books aloud.

6-9 Months:	What You Can Do
Relationships and Emotions	Be warm, affectionate, and considerate.
Patterns and Routines	Adjust his schedule as he changes.
Senses	Give her toys of different textures.
Gross Motor Coordination	Supervise climbing and crawling.
Fine Motor Coordination	Play with easy to operate pop up toys.
Language Development	Read aloud to your child every day.

9-12 months:	What You Can Do:
Relationships and Emotions	Individualize your responses to meet his needs.
Patterns and Routines	Encourage her to imitate you and imitate her back.
Senses	Play different kinds of music.
Motor Coordination	Childproof your baby's environment.
Language Development	Read a picture book together as you point to and name things.

12-18 months:	What You Can Do
Motor Coordination	Provide plenty of low, safe places for climbing.
Language Development	Try to figure out what he is saying.
Behavior	State clear consequences in relation to your toddler's behavior.
Separation Anxiety	Allow your toddler to bring something with him from home.
Patterns and Routines	Offer small bites of new foods.
Senses	Label and describe objects with words.

18-24 months	What You Can Do
Motor Coordination	Allow him to turn pages as you read with him.
Language Development	Talk with your toddler - be an active language partner.
Relationships and Emotions	Help her put her feelings into words.
Patterns and Routines	Provide props such as dress-up clothes, telephones, and plastic food that encourage fantasy play.

Online Resources

This page is provided by the Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, Maryland USA.
The text version of this page was last revised on 10 December 2008.
The graphics version of this page was last revised on 10 December 2008.
You are welcome to provide feedback.