Oh, How We Grow:
Navigating Early
Childhood Development
and Red Flag Behaviors
Presented by:
Janice Friedman, MA
Stacey Ratner, MS, BCBA,
LBA, SBL, SDL
Variety Child Learning Center
[Link]
November 8, 2014
Red Flag Behaviors and
Young Children
No other time in life in which
more growth and development
occur than in the first 5 years
For some children the
development path is smooth and
for some children the path will
have many challenges
Red Flag Behaviors and Young
Children
As early childhood educators it is important
to recognize red flag behaviors and the need
for an evaluation
The earlier children are identified and receive
services, the better the prognosis
Whatever the age of the child, when there is a
concern it is our responsibility to speak up but
to do this in a respectful, confidential, and
responsible manner
IDEA
Individual with Disabilities Education Act
Entitled to a free comprehensive evaluation to
determine eligibility for services
Red Flag Behaviors
A behavior that signals concern
May be the absence of developmental
milestones
May be a behavior or skill that interferes
with learning
Remember
Development is a continuum
Children develop at their own pace
Look for patterns or clusters of
behaviors
Age-appropriate behaviors can turn into
red flag behaviors if the child does not
progress
Child Development
There is a broad range of differences
between children of the same age
Research points to an expected
developmental sequence, markers to
help determine what is normal and
what may be a concern, a red flag
Child Development
In order to better identify what
behavior may be a concern or a
red flag, it is important to
understand the normal sequence
of development.
New Born( birth 4 wks.)
Sleeping
Eating
Sucking, swallowing, will need to be
burped
Reflex movements
Squeeze your finger if you put it in
his/her palm
Turn head toward your finger if you
touch their cheek
1- 3 Months
Motor Development
Raises head and cheek when lying on
tummy
Supports upper body with arms when
lying on tummy
Stretches legs out when lying on
tummy
Opens and shuts hands (months 2-3)
Pushes down on his/her legs when
their feet are placed on a firm surface
(3 months)
1 3 Months
Visual Development
Watches face intently ( 3 months)
Follows moving objects (2 months)
Recognizes familiar people a
greater distances (3 months)
Reaches, discovers hands and feet
1 -3 Months
Speech/Language Development
Smiles at the sound of voice ( 2-3
months)
Cooing noises; vocal play ( 3 months)
Turns head toward a sound
Startles to loud noise
1 3 Months
Social Emotional Development
Social smile begins
Enjoys playing with other people
(smiles when played with)
Imitates some facial expressions
4 7 Months
Motor Development
Pushes up on extended arms when placed on tummy
Pulls to sitting with no head lag
Sits with support ( 5 months)
Sits unsupported short periods (6-8mos.)
Transfers objects hand to hand
Grasps feet
Uses a raking grasp
Roll over, scoot and bounce
4 7 Months
Visual Development
Grasps objects held in front of them
Looks for fallen toys
Tracks moving objects easily
4 - 7 Months
Language Development
Responds to sounds by making sounds
Uses voice to express joy/displeasure
Begins to distinguish emotions by tone
of voice
4- 7 Months
Cognitive Development
Finds objects that are partially hidden
Will reach for objects that are held
further away
Explores with hands and mouth
4 7 Months
Social Emotional Development
Turns head when name is called
Smiles back at another person
Enjoys social play (peek a boo)
Interested in mirror images
8 12 Months
Motor Development
Can sit without assistance
Crawls on belly
Crawls on hands and knees
Can move from sitting to prone
Pulls self to standing
Cruises
Stands without help ( briefly)
Takes a few steps
8 12 Months
Motor Development
Uses pincer grasp
Bangs two small objects together
Takes objects out of containers
Finger feed self
Extend arm or leg to help when
being dressed
8 -12 Months
Cognitive Development
Looks closely at objects
Explores objects ( bang, shakes, drop)
Finds objects that are hidden
Looks at correct picture when picture
image is named
Imitates simple gestures/actions in play
Wave bye-bye, claps hands when you
clap
8 12 Months
Language Development
Responds to no
Makes sounds such a ma & da
mama & dada
Babbles
8 12 Months
Social /Emotional Development
May become shy around strangers
Cries when primary caregiver
leaves
Preferences for certain people
and things
Will repeat sounds/actions for
attention
12 24 Months
Motor Development
Walks alone (by 18 months)
Pulls toys while walking
Carries toys while walking
Begins to run
Climbs onto furniture without
help
Walks up and down stairs holding
on for support
12 24 Months
Motor Development
Scribbles
Turns containers over to pour out
what is inside
Can build block towers 4 or more
blocks
Points
12 24 Months
Language Development
Points to interesting objects
Points to a picture named
Says several single words ( 15 -18
months)
Uses two word sentences ( 18 24
months)
Follows simple one step directions
Repeats words heard in
conversations
12- 24 Months
Cognitive Development
Finds hidden objects
Begins to sort by color or shape
Begins simple pretend play
Understands words/ideas
Experiments with things
12 24 Months
Social Development
Imitates behavior of others
Enjoys being around other children
Increasingly independent
Begins to show defiant behavior
Two-Year-Olds
Begins to see self as a separate
individual with power
Attempts to gain as much control of his
world as possible
Period of rapid development in all areas
Language Milestones
2-Year-Olds
Expressive Language
Receptive Language
50-250 words
Beginning to ask questions
Responds to name and speech of others
Understands 500-900 words
Communicative Competence
Uses socialized greeting routines
Uses language to make things happen
Language
Red Flag Behaviors
2-Year-Olds
Excessive drooling
Does not respond to name
Repeats non-communicative phrases
Excessive use of jargon
Typically silent for long periods of time
Play Milestones
2-Year-Olds
Parallel play
Engages in simple pretend play
Enjoys company of other children but
may fight over toys (no sharing)
Completes simple puzzles
Observes others to see how to do things
Play
Red Flag Behaviors
2-Year-Olds
Displays no interest in age appropriate
toys
Shows little or no interest in exploring
environment
Engages in perseverative activities
Resists adults attempts to play or teach
Social Development Milestones
2-Year-Olds
Comfortable with routines
Seems to understand what behaviors are
right or wrong
Uses any familiar adult as a resource
Uses affective expressions to influence
caregivers
Engages in simple pretend play
Social Development
Red Flag Behaviors
2-Year-Olds
Unaware of others
Cannot calm down after a tantrum
Excessively aggressive
Shows no awareness when intruded
upon
No joint attention
Cognitive Development
Milestones
2-Year-Olds
Points to and names some body parts
Shows interest in books
Can listen to a story for 5 minutes
Learns from failure and attempts new
strategies
Cognitive Development
Red Flag Behaviors
2-Year-Olds
Shows little or no interest in exploring
environment
Does not respond to name
Stares blankly
Does not establish or maintain eye
contact
Engages in perseverative activities
Three-Year-Olds
Exaggerated sense of importance
Experiments with different roles in play
Competitive, but cant tolerate losing
Increased ability to care for daily needs
Beginning to develop a conscience
Strives for independence
Asks endless questions
Extremely active imagination
Language Milestones
3-Year-Olds
Increased receptive & expressive
vocabulary
Begins, maintains and ends a
conversation
Follows more than 1 two-step direction
Dysfluency or stuttering is normal
3 Year old Language
Milestones
Uses 5- 6 word sentences
Asks questions
Tells stories
Speaks clearly
Language
Red Flag Behaviors
3-Year-Olds
Talks to self with no intent to communicate
Persistent use of fixed topics or themes in
conversation
Takes a long time to respond when spoken to
Unresponsive when spoken to
Persistent unintelligibility more than 25% of the
time
Seems confused by long sentences or directions
Play Milestones
3-Year-Olds
Begins to share
Takes turns
Plays interactively with another child
Role plays
Play Milestones 3 year olds
Uses riding toys
Uses dolls, animals , people in make
believe play
Richer pretend/imaginative play
Play
Red Flag Behaviors
3-Year-Olds
Disrupts or destroys another childs play
activities
Play is repetitive and lacks creativity
Social Development Milestones
3-Year-Olds
Increasingly independent
Beginning to problem solve
Shows remorse for unacceptable
behavior
Responds well to praise
May have an imaginary friend
Social Development
Red Flag Behaviors
3-Year-Olds
No eye contact
Self-stimulates
Disregard for limits or rules
Unprovoked physical aggression
Cognitive Development
Milestones
3-Year-Olds
Puts together 7 piece interlocking
puzzle
Identifies basic shapes
Sorts or categorizes objects
Discriminates same/different
Can count by rote
Can recall and understand past
experiences
Cognitive Development
Red Flag Behaviors
3-Year-Olds
Unresponsive to age-appropriate
materials
Resists change
Resists adults attempt to teach
Does not focus or attend
Does not transition well from one
activity to another
Unable to participate in a group
activity
Four-Year-Olds
Good sense of self
Very social and fickle
Tests rules and limits
Very imaginative
Knows personal information about self
and family members
Language Milestones
4-Year-Olds
Increased receptive and expressive
vocabulary
Describes past and future experiences
in logical order
Asks and answers wh questions
Should be intelligible 75 100% of the
time
Language Milestones
4 - year - olds
Recalls parts of a story
Speaks in sentences
Uses future tense
Language
Red Flag Behaviors
4-Year-Olds
Expresses anger or frustration
because child cannot adequately
express himself
Displays a limited range of intentions
Has difficulty participating in a group
activity
Uses non-specific language
Unintelligible more than 25% of the
time
Play Milestones
4-Year-Olds
Prefers playing with children to playing
alone
Chooses and maintains a friendship
Negotiates compromises with other
children
Gender differences in play emerge
Play
Red Flag Behaviors
4-Year-Olds
Avoids interacting with another
child, even when approached by
another child
Tries to control the play of others
Impulsive
Demands constant adult supervision
Shy, withdrawn child who cannot be
eased into a social experience with 1
or 2 other children
Social Development Milestones
4-Year-Olds
Conforms to established routines and
rules
Seems to understand family
relationships
Begins, maintains and ends a social
interaction
Demonstrates empathy towards others
Imitates roles of adults outside of the
home
Complies with directions given by any
adult authority
Social Development
Red Flag Behaviors
4-Year-Olds
Shows inappropriate affect when
someone is hurt
Demonstrates unprovoked physical
aggression or verbal abuse toward
familiar adults
Indiscriminately shows all adults
affection
Cognitive Development
Milestones
4-Year-Olds
Understands time concepts
Categorizes common objects
Retells facts sequentially
Clearly distinguishes fact and fantasy
Cognitive Development
Red Flag Behaviors
4-Year-Olds
Consistently fails to complete
tasks
Has difficulty tolerating transitions
and interruptions
Has difficulty tolerating changes in
daily classroom routines
Slow to process information
5- 8 - year- olds
Social Emotional
Development
More independence from parents and
family
Stronger sense of right and wrong
Beginning awareness of the future
More attention to friendships and team
work
Growing desire to be liked and accepted
by friends
5- 8 -year-olds
Self care skills ( feeding, dressing, washing,
toileting)
Follows directions and rules
Able to work independently for short periods
Easily make changes and accept adult supervision
Begins to share with others- increases with
practice and age
Listens to stories without interrupting
Looks at pictures and can tell stories
Begins to control himself or herself
5- 8 year olds
Able to play in small groups with other
children
Speaks clearly, talks in complete
sentences
Can tell a simple story
Engages in make-believe and dress-up
play, child can assume a specific role
and sustain the play
5- 8- year- olds
Rapid mental development
Counting, adding simple amounts
Writing, reading (at least basic sight
words)
Can draw a person with 6 body parts
Has learned some specific sport/skills
Red Flags
Hyperactivity which interferes with
school performance
Inability to get along with peers or
siblings
Lack of friends
Bed wetting or soiling
Recurrent nightmares
Tics
Aggressive behavior
Unable to separate from caregiver
Red Flag Behaviors
Across Ages and
Development
Lack of eye contact
Short attention span
Easily distracted
Low frustration tolerance
Poor focus
Impulsivity
Limited Language ( expressive,
receptive, communicative competence)
Child Development
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER
A red flag behavior in isolation is not
necessarily a concern; look at a patterns
or clusters of behaviors
Putting Pieces Together
Observe the child
Chart behaviors
Is the child struggling to get through the
day?
Do they stand out as different from
their peers, consistently across people
and settings?
Gather the ABCs
Target Behavior:
Time & Activity
Antecedent
Behavior
Consequence
Comments
Your Role
Your role is to observe
Your role is to gather information
Your role is to inform, to share your
concerns
Remember, that parents wont always
agree and do what you think is best
Making the Decision to
Evaluate or Wait and See
Ask yourself 3 important questions
When left to his own devices, how does the
child get through the day when compared to
peers?
Does the child stand out as different or
more needy as compared to peers on a fairly
consistent basis?
Does this child seem to need more support
than I can comfortably give or qualified to
give?
If It Seems Likely That the Path
Leads to an Evaluation, Follow
These Steps
Log behavior
Identify the behavior
When is it most likely to occur, least likely
What immediately preceded the behavior
What followed the behavior
Thank you for your
attention
Contact Information: jfriedman@[Link]
sratner@[Link]
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