Before birth, your baby’s world was
warm and ­protected. Following birth,
babies take time to adjust to their
new world.
Even when lying on their back, babies
are always learning new things about
themselves, about you, and about
everything in their new world. Babies
learn quickly and use their fives
­senses – sight, ­hearing, touch, smell
and taste – to learn. Everything is new
and interesting.
While babies learn and grow quickly,
their bodies are delicate and fragile.
Their head and bones are still soft;
their skin is more sensitive to heat
then an adult’s; and their brain is
still forming. New skills and abilities
can develop ­within ­seconds and
babies get faster as they learn. They
need s­ pecial protection from falling,
­choking, burning or scalds,
drowning, and shaking or
car-related injuries.
Be aware. Be there. Be safe.
Emotional-Social Abilities
Safety Issues
4-8 Months
`` Wiggles, and squirms
`` Starts to roll over, turns from back to side
`` Kicks and pushes
`` Reaches for objects
`` Holds objects in hands
`` May support weight on arms
`` May suck on toys and objects in mouth
`` Makes uncoordinated movements
`` Eats soft food (after 6 months)*
`` Learns to sit without help
`` Begins to crawl
`` Can push-up on all fours
`` May stand with support
`` Begins to pick up small objects, such as, lint and
paperclips
`` Passes objects from hand to hand
`` “Bum” shuffles or crawls
`` Uses furniture to balance when standing
and moving around
`` Takes things out of containers
`` Picks up tiny objects
`` May take first steps by self
`` Falls often while trying to walk
`` May start to climb
`` Begins to smile
`` Expects to be comforted
`` Likes to suck on things in mouth
`` Likes musical toys, rattles, mobiles
`` Likes objects of different colours, sizes and
textures
`` Turns to sounds coming from behind
`` Copies gestures and sounds
`` Actions start to have a purpose, e.g., reach for
colourful objects
`` Looks for objects that are covered
`` Likes to roll over and explore
`` Likes to shake, feel and bang things
`` Likes to stack toys and blocks
`` Interested in reactions and moving things around
`` Responds to own name
`` Likes to use fingers and thumb
`` Begins to explore and will separate from parents for
a short time
`` Copies sounds like coughs and clicks
`` Will jump on moving toys
`` Interested in small objects
`` Takes things out of containers
`` Likes a bigger play space
`` Likes banging things together
`` Likes playing with water and sand
`` Begins to understand simple requests like “no!”
Falls
`` Keep one hand on baby when he/she is on a surface
above the floor (e.g., change table, sofa)
`` Place furniture away from windows
Falls
`` Lower the crib’s mattress
`` Remove unsteady furniture and move furniture
away from windows and balconies
`` Place high chair away from appliances, walls,
and counters
`` Put in bolted safety gates at top and bottom of
stairs
`` Do not use baby walkers
Falls
`` Arrange furniture to prevent climbing
`` Remove wheels from all furniture
`` Always use the restraint strap on stroller, high
chair, etc.
`` Install safety guards on windows and balcony
doors
`` Never leave baby unattended on porch,
balcony or outside
Burns
`` Stir and taste baby’s food to check temperature
before feeding
`` Use placemats instead of table cloths
`` Cook on back burners of stove
`` Turn pot handles away from the edge of stove and
towards the back
Burns
`` Keep testing baby’s food and bath water; liquids
can still burn
`` Screen off all radiators, fireplaces, space heaters,
etc.
Cribs
`` Use cribs built after September 1986
`` Use a firm and snug-fitting mattress in the crib
`` Place crib away from windows, blind cords,
electrical outlets
`` Keep crib sides up when baby is inside
`` Do not use pillows, heavy blankets, bumper pads,
or stuffed toys
`` Never put baby on a waterbed
Note: The safest sleep environment for
infants 0-6 months of age is on their back
within arm's reach of their caregiver in a crib
that meets Health Canada Consumer Product
Safety Standards.
Burns
`` Do not hold baby when drinking hot beverages
or when smoking
`` Turn hot water tank temperature below 49º Celsius
or 120º Fahrenheit, if possible
`` Run cold water first and last when filling baby’s bath
`` Test baby’s bath water with your elbow or
wrist before bathing
`` Install smoke alarm (test every month) and
fire extinguisher
Drowning
`` Hold baby when bathing or around water
`` Babies can drown in five centimeters or two
inches of water. Make sure to supervise them
Other
`` Hold baby when feeding*
`` Watch baby when he/she is with pets or other
children
Poisoning
`` Keep all chemicals, cleaners, and matches locked
and out of reach
`` Remove poisonous household plants, such as,
daisies, philodendrons
Choking & Suffocation
`` Cut all foods into small pieces
`` Remove or tie up drapery, blinds, telephone cords,
etc.
`` Remove mobiles from crib when baby can sit up
Drowning
`` Hold baby when bathing or around water
Other
`` Unplug electric appliances when not in use; keep
cords from dangling off counters
`` Be aware of where baby is crawling
`` Get down on your hands and knees and look for
areas to safety proof in your home
8-12 Months
Poisoning
`` Strong smells and bad taste will not stop a child
from swallowing poisons
`` Always keep chemicals and poisons locked and
keep out of reach
`` Keep wastebaskets out of baby’s reach
As children grow, their world grows too – both
inside and outside their home. They learn through
curiosity and exploration. And as their curiosity
grows, they enter into situations that can be
dangerous for them. They have limited experience
of the world, so they do not understand danger.
They explore adventurously.
The Ages, Stages and Safety brochure is a g
­ eneral
guide for parents of children age 0 to 5 years old.
Keeping children safe while they grow, learn and
explore means constantly watching them. Children
can learn new skills continuously. Anticipating
what they might do next will help you keep ahead
of them, and keep them safe.
Every child is different and may develop skills and
abilities above or below their age c­ ategory. In
most cases, this is normal and acceptable. Age
categories in this chart give a time range for when
children will develop certain skills and abilities.
They should not be used to judge the progress of
your child’s development.
Using Ages, Stages
& Safety
Look at what your child can do now, find it on this
chart, and study the skills in the next age category.
Knowing what your child will do next can help you
keep a step ahead, and keep them safe.
These are general safety tips for use in the home.
Safety tips for outside the home, such as car seat
safety, and playground safety are not included.
Choking & Suffocation
`` Always keep small objects out of reach
`` Avoid or cut foods that baby can choke on
(e.g., nuts, hot dogs, candies, grapes, whole raw
carrots, meat sticks)
`` Throw out or tie and lock away plastic bags
(including dry cleaning bags)
Drowning
`` Always hold baby when bathing and around
water
`` Babies can drown in less than five centimetres or
two inches of water. Make sure to supervise them
Other
`` Always watch baby with pets or young children
* Exclusive breastfeeding recommended from 0-6 months
July 2015 HE-15198
Ages, Stages & Safety
Physical Abilities
0-4 Months
A summary
of early
childhood
growth,
development
and safety
 Printed on 100% post consumer fibre.
Understanding
Newborns
Other Information
Toddlers and preschoolers need
constant ­supervision. That means
watching them, staying close to
them, and t­ hinking about what they
might do next. While supervising
them, you can teach them simple,
safe ­behaviours by doing what you
want them to do. Children love to
copy adults so set the e­ xample you
want them to ­follow. Children like to
watch you and need to be watched
by you.
Setting rules that fit your child’s
stage of development can also
make situations less stressful for you
and your child. Safety can become
a ­natural part of your world and
your child’s world.
Physical Abilities
Emotional-Social Abilities
Safety Issues
12-18 Months
18-24 Months
2-3 Years
3-5 Years
`` Walks alone; runs but still falls down
`` May climb up and down stairs
`` Can stack, pull, and drag things
`` Holds cup with two hands
`` Can bend and pick things up off the floor
`` Can unzip a large zipper and undo clothing
`` Climbs on furniture
`` Tries to climb out of crib, play pen, or over
safety gates
`` Will copy your actions
`` Runs quickly and more steadily
`` Walks backwards and sideways
`` Walks down stairs using handrail (still learning
how to take steps)
`` Still learning to chew food
`` Tries to reach higher objects
`` Can put on clothing
`` Can turn door knobs, and pull drawers and cupboards
`` Walks down stairs, alternating feet
`` Walks and runs with balance
`` Can walk backward, sideways, and jump
`` Starts to run and may stop suddenly
`` Can pour and drink from a container
`` Can twist lids off jars, take objects in and out
`` Can dress self
`` Can pedal tricycle
`` Busy, curious, and full of energy
`` Skips and hops on one foot
`` Balance and coordination skills develop
`` Brushes teeth with help
`` Learns to tie shoe laces
`` Climbs on playground equipment
`` Likes to play outdoors
`` Likes simple, active games
`` Starts using words to show feelings
`` Copies adult actions and activities
`` Likes to “help” in the kitchen
`` Temper tantrums may begin
`` Can sit on a riding toy and balance for a short
distance while moving
`` Can use pencils and crayons
`` Can throw a ball and dance to music
`` Likes to be active
`` Curious about other people’s activities
`` Can make and use simple tools, such as
handles and knobs
`` Uses trial and error to open and close containers
`` May be interested in animals
`` Likes to use hands to play with clay, play dough,
and finger paint
`` Temper tantrums become less but still frustrates easily
`` Starts to have an imagination
`` Feels good when doing things by self (e.g., feeding,
toilet, dressing)
`` Uses trial and error to solve problems
`` Plays with a group
`` Plays simple games
`` Copies your actions
`` Focuses on the present
`` Curious about what will happen next
`` Does not understand cause and effect
`` Does not see the viewpoint of others (focuses on
own feelings)
`` Can focus on group activities for a longer time
`` May not be able to judge risk (e.g., timing traffic)
`` Curious and may ask a lot of questions
`` Starts understanding right from wrong
Falls
`` Choose “ride-on” toys with wide base and low seat
`` Avoid riding on hard surfaces (e.g., concrete)
`` Secure bookshelves and other tall furniture to the
wall
`` Keep chairs tucked under table when not in use
`` Follow manufacturer’s instructions for removing
safety gate(s) or as soon as a child tries to climb on it
`` Move child out of crib before they start to climb out
by themselves (use a mattress on the floor before
one on a bed frame)
Falls
`` Keep toddler on play equipment made for his/her age
`` Stay within arms reach of child when playing on
playground equipment
`` Discourage child from standing on chairs
`` Bunk beds should be used only after the youngest
child is 6 years old
`` Keep child’s furniture away from window
Falls
`` Ensure child always wears a fitted helmet when using
“ride-on” toys, tricycles and bicycles
`` Check that helmets meet Canadian safety standards
Falls
`` Ensure child wears fitted helmet, elbow and knee
pads, when roller skating or inline skating
`` Adults show an example of safety by wearing
appropriate safety equipment, as noted above
`` Keep a child under five years on low play ground
equipment (under 1.5 meters or 5 feet)
Burns
`` Cook on back burners and turn pot handles to
centre of stove
`` Keep child out of kitchen when oven/stove is on
`` Store ironing board in flat position with iron
out of reach
Poisoning
`` Always hold on to chemicals or medicine when
using them
`` Store medicine out of sight and locked up
`` Discourage chewing on crayons or pencils
Choking & Suffocation
`` For toy boxes, use vented or spring-loaded lid, or no
lid
`` Remove small toys that are a choking hazard
Drowning
`` Toddlers can drown in five centimeters or two
inches of water. Make sure to supervise them
`` Keep a hand on child when around any water –
bath, pool, etc.
`` Know what your child is doing at all times
Other
`` Supervise child when the dishwasher is open
`` Keep objects and cords away from the edge of the
counter or table
Burns
`` Continue using place mats instead of table cloths
`` Keep cords away from edge of table or counter
`` Lock away matches, lighters, and other lighting
devices
Poisoning
`` Do not refer to medication as candy
`` Be aware that some children can open child-resistant
containers
`` Be more alert when daily routines change
`` Keep products in their original containers
`` Always hold on to chemicals or medicine when
using them
`` Remove and discard old medicine
Choking & Suffocation
`` Continue cutting smooth or round foods into small
thumb size pieces, e.g., hot dogs, grapes
`` Remove drawstrings from clothing
`` Throw out or tie up and lock away plastic bags
Drowning
`` Toddlers can drown in 2.5 centimeters or 1
inch of water. Make sure to supervise them at all times
`` Do not keep containers of water around the home
`` Always supervise toddlers near water hazards –
ditches, streams, etc.
Other
`` Do not swing child by the arms
`` Supervise child when playing with pets
Burns
`` Continue to check temperature of hot drinks and
foods
`` Store lighters and matches out of reach of children
`` Keep household hot water temperature turned down
to 49 degrees Celsius or 120 degrees Fahrenheit
Poisoning
`` Do not refer to medication as candy
`` Remove and discard old medicine
`` Some children can open child-resistant containers
`` Keep chemicals and medicine locked and out of
reach
Choking & Suffocation
`` Remove scarves, drawstrings, and things that may
catch on play equipment
`` Tie up blind cords out of reach
Drowning
`` Keep child within arms reach around water at all
times
Other
`` Teach safety rules and keep repeating them
`` Teach proper use of plastic child scissors
`` Watch child when using plastic play scissors
Burns
`` Practise fire drills at home and teach child fire
safety rules
Poisoning
`` Teach child about hazard symbols
`` Keep chemicals and poisons in original container
`` Continue to keep chemicals and poisons out of
reach and out of sight
Choking & Suffocation
`` Take off or do not buy clothing that can strangle a
child when playing (e.g., drawstrings, scarves)
`` Be aware that children under four years are still at
risk of choking
`` Cut hot dogs, fruits, and vegetables into small
pieces for child
Drowning
`` Keep within arms reach of child in and around
water
`` Do not allow a child under five years old to use a
“hot tub”
Other
`` Teach child safety rules and keep repeating them
`` Continue crossing the street with child
`` Watch your child with pets and animals; many
dogs do not like hugs/kisses
Ages, Stages & Safety
Toddlers &
Preschoolers
A summary
of early
childhood
growth,
development
and safety