6 weeks - 4 months
- Begins smiling and interacting with teacher
- Tracks faces and objects with their eyes
- Coos and responds to voices
- Gains head and neck control
- Enjoys tummy time and movement activities
- Explores hands and brings them to mouth
- Recognizes familiar faces and voices
- Establishes feeding and sleeping routines
Ratio 1:5
4 months - 7 months
- Sits with support and develops stronger core muscles
- Rolls over and becomes more mobile
- Reaches for and grasps toys
- Responds to their name and familiar voices
- Babbles and makes a variety of sounds
- Explores objects with their hands and mouth
- Shows curiosity about their surroundings
- Begins developing feeding and sleeping routines
Ratio 1:5
7 months - 9 months
- Sits independently and develops stronger balance
- Crawls or begins moving independently
- Pulls up or bears weight on legs with support
- Responds to their name and simple words
- Babbles with a variety of sounds
- Explores toys through stacking, banging, and transferring objects
- Shows curiosity and interest in their surroundings
- Forms strong bonds with familiar teacher
Ratio 1:5
9 months - 12 months
- Pulls up to stand and may begin taking first steps
- Crawls and explores independently
- Uses pincer grasp to pick up small objects
- Responds to simple directions and familiar words
- Says simple words such as “mama” or “dada”
- Waves, claps, and uses gestures to communicate
- Shows curiosity and problem-solving skills
- Engages in interactive play with teacher and peers
Ratio 1:5
12 months - 16 months
- Begins walking independently or with assistance
- Uses simple words and gestures to communicate
- Follows simple directions
- Explores through climbing, pushing, and pulling
- Feeds themselves with fingers or utensils
- Enjoys books, songs, and interactive play
- Shows increasing independence and curiosity
- Engages alongside peers and familiar teachers
Ratio 1:5
16 months - 20 months
- Walks confidently and begins running or climbing
- Uses more words to communicate wants and needs
- Follows simple one- and two-step directions
- Begins pretend play and imitates everyday activities
- Uses utensils and drinks from a cup with assistance
- Identifies familiar people, objects, and body parts
- Shows interest in playing alongside peers
- Demonstrates growing independence during daily routines
Ratio 1:6
20 months - 30 months (2.5 years)
- Uses short phrases and expanding vocabulary
- Follows simple directions and classroom routines
- Engages in pretend and imaginative play
- Runs, climbs, jumps, and develops coordination
- Begins sharing and interacting with peers
- Identifies colors, shapes, and familiar objects
- Shows growing independence with feeding and self-help skills
- Expresses emotions and communicates needs more clearly
Ratio 1:8
2.5 years - 4 years
- Speaks in longer sentences and communicates ideas clearly
- Follows multi-step directions and classroom routines
- Develops early literacy and number recognition skills
- Engages in cooperative and imaginative play
- Builds fine motor skills through art, writing, and hands-on activities
- Demonstrates problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Gains independence with self-help tasks and daily routines
- Develops friendships and learns social-emotional skills
Ratio 1:11
Gardendale Nazarene Daycare does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its education policies, admissions policies, or athletic or other school administered programs.
Gardendale Nazarene Daycare is a ministry of Gardendale Church of the Nazarene. For more information on Gardendale Nazarene, visit our website at www.gdalenaz.org.