Because most children adopted from institutions have developmental delays, it is important for you to know what normal development looks like:

At 6 months children should be able to:

• follow a moving object with their eyes
• reach for objects and pick them up
• turn to listen when they hear a sound
• play with their toys
• move toys from one hand to another
• recognize familiar faces
• babble

At 12 months children should be able to:

• sit without support
• crawl
• wave bye bye
• pull to a standing position
• play peek a boo and Pat-a-cake
• drink from a cup
• put things in a box or container
• know 5 or 6 words
• stack 2 or 3 blocks

At 2 years children should be able to:

• carry something while walking
• use two or three word phrases
• recognize pictures
• say the names of his toys
• use a spoon
• point to the parts of the body
• stack 4 or 5 blocks
• hug and show affection
• play independently
• try to imitate you

At 3 years children should be able to:

• ride a tricycle
• put on their shoes
• open a door
• name a colour
• walk up steps, alternating feet
• speak in 3 to 5 word sentences
• play with other children for a few minutes
• be almost toilet trained
• turn the pages in a book

We recommend you contact your local Public Health Unit to have your child developmentally assessed immediately when he arrives. Early Childhood Intervention will assist you to work with your child to “catch up”. Some programs will only be available to you if your child is sufficiently delayed. Often by the time you realize they need help they do not qualify as they are only mildly delayed. Call early to maximize the help they can provide and so that you know your child’s developmental level and what areas to work on.

You need to advocate to ensure your child gets the help he or she need!