Our Quick-E: Peds book aims to maximize a nurse’s time by facilitating information in a durable and portable format ideal for the “bedside” practice. Ultimately, the intent is that this book helps to enhance the quality of patient care through quick access to clinical facts that are applicable and usable in pediatric practice. Let’s take a closer look at one of the most popular of the 10 books in our Quick-E series.

Understanding the development of a child is crucial. When should they crawl? When should they be able to sit with minimal support? Let’s delve into our developmental guide, laid out by age and activity:

Birth: Flexion, suckling tongue movements, momentary head control when held sitting.

1-3 months: Holds head up briefly prone, head erect and steady sitting, rooting. Night sleep 4-10 hours. Longer periods awake without crying. Regards others’ face, social smile, draws attention by crying. Also, coos.

4-8 months: Sits with minimal support. Picks up small objects, transfers from one hand to another. Bangs toys. Hand to mouth motions, recognizes bottles, gums/mouths solids. Night sleep 10-12 hours, 2-3 naps (1-4 hours.) Turns head to locate sounds. Begins responding to “no-no.” Begins separation anxiety. Says “da-da” or “ma-ma” but not specific to presence of parents.

9-12 months: Crawls, raises up to sitting. Stands alone, cruises, pincer grasp. Holds own bottle, drinks from cup with assistance, finger feeds. Night sleep 12-14 hours, 1-2 naps (1-4 hours). Plays peekaboo, puts objects in and out of containers. Responds to “no-no” by ceasing activity. Should have two words specific for parents, imitates speech sounds, lip smacking, tongue clicking. Responds to simple commands, explores through mouth.

1-1 1/2 years: Walks few steps without support. Lifts cup and drinks well, may refuse food, begins to use spoon. Night sleep 10-12 hours, one nap in afternoon. Has favorite toys, throws objects, imitates (i.e., sweeping). Uses three words other than parent words to denote specific objects. Looks when named. Tests limits set.

1 1/2 – 2 1/2 years: Runs in place, overhand throw. Drinks without spilling, uses spoon well. Night sleep 10-12 hours, one nap. Not sleeping at once. May awaken crying if wet or spoiled. Parallel, rough-tumble play. Enjoys rhymes, singing. Follows two or three verbal directions. Combines two different words. Names objects in pictures, refers to self by pronoun rather than name. Negativistic behavior expected. Simple reasons. Asks “why.”

2 1/2 – 4 years: Walks downstairs. Hops on one foot. Draws person with three parts. Pours well from pitcher. Sleeps 10-15 hours. Naps beginning to disappear. May awaken crying from dreams. Begins to play with others, share, takes turns. Uses plurals, gives first and last name, can repeat a few rhymes/songs.

4-5 years: Heel-toe walk, copies square. Feeds self well. Sleep 9-13 hours, rarely naps. Dramatic play. Likes to cut/paste. May print name, copies triangle, bathes self. Tells stories, carries out in order command containing three parts. Counts three objects, asks questions, can identify or name four colors.

Editor’s note: For information on all 10 books in the Quick-E series, click on the link at the top, right of this page.