Gulf Central Early Steps for Infants and Toddlers
Through Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, the Early Steps program assures that early intervention services and supports are available to children
with developmental delays from birth to 36 months of age. If a child has a developmental delay, disability, or
a condition that places him or her at risk, the child may be eligible for services through
Early Steps. A child's future is much brighter when the necessary services, treatment, and programs are provided early in life.
Services include:
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- early intervention/ therapy
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- resources and information
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Early Steps provides services to Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee,
Highlands, Hardee and Sarasota Counties and has qualified staff to help families identify concerns as related to their child, develop a plan of support, and
coordinate services from area providers to assist the child and family.
If you have concerns about your child, please contact
your local Early Steps office.
Early Steps: 941-487-5400 or 1-866-510-5594
Serving Infants and Toddlers in the Gulf Central Region
Babies and toddlers grow and develop at their own pace, but usually can
do the following activities by the age listed.
Your Child's Growth and Developmental Steps from Birth to
36 Months:
| At 3 months |
Indicators for Concern |
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Turns head toward bright
light and sounds
Watches faces and objects
Lifts head and chest while on stomach
Makes cooing sounds, chuckles
Soothes with cuddling
Enjoys touch
Kicks feet, moves hands
Brings hands to mouth
Smiles |
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| At 6 months |
Indicators for Concern |
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Recognizes happy and sad
voices
Plays with hands and feet
Brings most objects to mouth
Reaches for objects with both hands and moves from
hand to hand
Sits but may need support
Babbles more than 2 sounds
Rolls from stomach to back
Turns to find your voice
Has good head control
Laughs while playing
Reaches and grasps toys, objects
Has predictable sleep pattern |
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Unable to roll over
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Difficulty lifting
head
- Does not turn head
to direction of
sound
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| At 9 months |
Indicators for Concern
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Begins crawling
Smile at self in mirror
Explore objects closely with hands and eyes
Plays peek-a-boo and patty cake
Begin sitting without assistance
Looks for hidden toy
Throws toys or objects
Pulls self up, stands while holding on
Feeds self finger food such as cereal
Imitate sounds like "ooh" and "ahh" |
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| At 12 months |
Indicators for Concern |
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Pulls self up and stands
Says "Mama", "Baba", or "Dada"
Takes a few steps while holding on
Copies your sounds
Begins to follow simple directions (please come here,
drink your juice)
Waves bye-bye
Presses buttons on phone, toys
Enjoys being read to
Use 1-3 words
Holds bottle |
(back
to top) |
| At 15 months |
Indicators for Concern |
Stands and steps towards or walks
Stacks 2-3 blocks
Helps to dress by holding out arms or legs
Knows and says 4-5 words
Makes voice go up and down, to sound like a
conversation
Listens to a story
Curious - will explore on own |
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| At 18 months |
Indicators for Concern |
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Walk and maybe run a
little
Climb up or down one stair
Enjoys pull toys
Scribbles
Prefers to feed self
Knows names of things, people
Throws a ball
Drinks from a cup and eats with a
spoon
Plays along side other children
Squats to pick up toys
Begins pretend play |
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Unable to walk without
help
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Does not say at least
15 words
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Unable to feed self with spoon
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| At 24 months |
Indicators for Concern |
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Kicks a large ball
Turns pages, 2 or 3 at a time
Imitates housework
Recognizes familiar pictures, books and knows if they
are upside down
Asks for items by name
Uses 2-3 words together
Makes circular strokes with a pencil
Says "mine"
Jumps in place
Engages in pretend play (using spoon as an airplane) |
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| At 36 months |
Indicators for Concern |
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Stands on one foot for a
moment
Walks up stairs
Rides a tricycle
Feeds self
Opens a door
Responds to feelings of others
Indicates need to use the toilet - shows interest in
toilet training
Partially dresses and undresses
Shares toys, takes turns during play
Uses 3-word sentences
Names at least one color
Completes 3-4 piece
puzzle |
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Words/speech not
understood by others
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No interest in other
children
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Poor balance, falls
frequently
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(updated 4/07gem)
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