Children develop in their own unique ways, and how a child responds to and interacts with the world around them gives clues to their developmental progress. When a child doesn’t meet development milestones in a range typical of their peers, it may indicate a difference in their growth. Find resources in Stark County to contact if you think your child is showing signs of a cognitive or physical disability.
Supporting first-time parents with home visiting services for children up to 3 years old. Services are free for eligible families.
For concerns during a child’s early development, reach out to Stark County’s Early Intervention program. Up to 55 hours of services are provided annually at no cost to eligible families.
At two months, infants typically start to smile, coo and pay attention to faces. They may begin following sounds and seeing things at a distance.
Four-month-olds like to play and stay occupied. At this age, they often copy movements, sounds and expressions, and can hold up their own heads without support.
After six months, babies can often recognize familiar faces, show curiosity, roll over on their own and make sounds to express their feelings.
At the nine-month mark, children may be clingy and afraid of strangers. They can often string together syllables and move objects from one hand to another.
By their first birthdays, children may be seeking attention, responding with simple gestures and words and exploring new actions.
At 18 months, children typically begin throwing temper tantrums, playing pretend and identifying everyday items.
When a child turns two, you can expect them to show more independence, put together simple sentences and know the names of familiar people, places and things.
It is typical for 3-year-olds to climb, run, copy behaviors and show a wide range of emotions. They may also be able to carry on conversations and follow instructions.
Children can typically name some colors and numbers and understand time by the age of 4. They can also start to use scissors and pour liquids with some supervision.
At age 5, children often want to spend time with their friends and can tell simple stories using full sentences. They can also count and print some letters and numbers.