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Social and EmotionalIs shy or nervous with strangersCried when mom or dad leavesShows fear in some situationsHands you a book when he wants to hear a storyRepeats sounds or actions to get attentionPuts out arm or leg to help with dressingPlays games such as "peek-a-boo" and "pat-a-cake"Language/CommunicationResponds to simple spoken requestsUses simple gestures, like shaking head "no" or waving "bye-bye"Makes sounds with changes in tone (sounds more like speech)Says "mama" and "dada" and exclamations like "uh-oh"Tries to say words you sayCognitive (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving)Explores things in different ways, like shaking, banging and throwingFinds hidden things easilyLooks at the right picture or thing when it's namedCopies gesturesStarts to use things correctly; for example drinks from a cup, brushes hairFollows simple directions like "pickup the toy"Movement/Physical DevelopmentGets to a sitting position without helpPulls up to stand, walks holding on to furniture ("cruising")May take a few steps without holding onMay stand aloneRed Flags For...

Social and EmotionalLikes to hand things to others as playMay have temper tantrumsMay be afraid of strangersShows affection to familiar peopleMay cling to caregivers in new situationsPoints to show others something interestingExplores alone but with parents close byLanguage / CommunicationSays several single wordsSays and shakes head "no"Points to show someone what he wantsCognitive (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving)Knows what ordinary things are for; for example telephone, brush, spoonPoints to get the attention of othersShows interest in a doll or stuffed animal by pretending to feedPoints to one body partScribbles on his ownCan follow 1-step verbal commands without any gestures; for example, sites when you say "sit down"Movement/Physical DevelopmentWalk aloneMay walk up steps and runPulls toys while walkingCan help undress herselfDrinks from a cupEats with a spoonRed Flags For 18 Month Old BabiesDoesn't point to show things to othersDoesn't gain new wordsCan't walkDoesn't have at least 6 wordsDoesn't know what familiar things are forDoesn't...

Social and EmotionalCopies others, especially adults and older childrenGets excited when with other childrenShows more and more independenceShows defiant behavior (doing what he has been told not to)Plays mainly beside other children but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase gamesLanguage/CommunicationSays sentences with 2 to 4 wordsRepeats words overheard in conversationKnows names of familiar people and body partsFollows two-step instructions such as "Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet"Points to things in a bookCognitive (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving)Finds things even when hidden under two or three coversBeings to sort shapes and colorsCompletes sentences and rhymes in familiar booksPlays simple make-believe gamesBuilds towers of 4 or more blocksNames items in a picture book such as cat, bird or dogMovement/Physical DevelopmentStands on tiptoeKicks a ballBegins to runClimbs onto and down from furniture without helpWalks up and down stairs holding onMakes or copies straight lines and circlesRed Flags For...

Social and EmotionalCopies adults and friendsShows affection for friends without promptingTakes turns in gamesShows concern for crying friendUnderstands the idea of "mine" and "his" or "hers"Shows a wide range of emotionsSeparates easily from mom and dadLanguage/CommunicationFollows instructions with 2 or 3 stepsCan name most familiar thingsUnderstands words like "in", "on", and "under"Says "I", "me", "we", "you" and some plurals (cars, dogs, cats)Talks well enough for strangers to understand most of the timeCognitive (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving)Can work toys with buttons, levers and moving partsPlays make-believe with dolls, animals and peopleDoes puzzles with 3 or 4 piecesUnderstands what "two" meansCopies a circle with pencil or crayonTurns book pages one at a timeBuilds towers of more than 6 blocksScrews and unscrews jar lids or turns door handleMovement/Physical DevelopmentClimbs wellRuns easilyPedals a tricycle (3 wheel bike)Walks up and down stairs, one foot on each stepRed Flags For 36 Month Old BabiesDrools or has very unclear...

Social and EmotionalEnjoys doing new thingsPlays "Mom" and "Dad"Is more and more creative with make believe playWould rather play with other children than by himselfCooperates with other childrenOften can't tell what's real and what's make-believeTalks about what she likes and what she is interested inLanguage/CommunicationKnows some basic rules of grammar, such as correctly using "he and "she"Sings a song or says a poem from memory like the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" or the "Wheels on the Bus"Tells storiesCan say first and last nameCognitive (Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving)Names some colors and some numbersUnderstands the idea of countingStarts to understand timeRemembers parts of a storyUnderstands the idea of "same" and "different"Draws a person with 2 to 4 body partsUses scissorsStarts to copy some capital lettersPlays board or card gamesTells you what he thinks is going to happen next in a bookMovement/Physical DevelopmentHops and stands on one foot up to 2 secondsCatches a bounced ball most...

It may be impossible not to do, but maybe just being aware of it when we experience it, would be helpful.There may be almost nothing more painful than watching our kids hurt. Most often we'd rather do their suffering for them.I am sure it is "Mama Bear instinct" when we see our kids in any kind of pain - whether it is physical or emotional - whether they are the cause of their pain or not at fault.There are, of course, situations when their pain needs to be our business.And there are plenty more situations where their issues need to belong to our kids.However, the focus of this article is not about whether or not to step in. It is aboutbringing to light the serious ramifications we could create simply with our perspective of the child's issue/s.Sometimes when our kids have pain, we feelsorry for them. …down-right pity them. Learning disabilities,...