When you spend time watching your baby, you can see that he or she is a special person. Most babies develop in similar ways. For example, babies usually crawl before they walk, and babble before they talk. But each baby does these things at his or her own pace and in his or her own special way.

Of course, babies don't fit neatly into groups. A baby may act differently at different times of the day, if he's tired or hungry, or if you're not around. It's not always easy figuring out what a new baby wants. But if you watch carefully, you will begin to see patterns in the way your baby acts. The Ounce Scale will help you know what to expect.

The Ounce Scale is a development assessment tool that allows you to record your child's milestones in social, cognitive, and physical growth. It is divided into eight age groups and each age group provides examples and indicators that will help you understand what is typical in a child's development at that age.

Each age group below contains three parts:

• The Family Album is a set of illustrated packets that offer explanations for your child's behaviors and provide space for your memories of his or her developmental milestones.
• The Observation Records provide a means for recording detailed feedback on a child's behavior.
• The Standards for Developmental Profiles is a set of reference sheets that list examples and details of developmental norms for each age group.

Excerpted from:   Designed for family members and care providers, The Ounce Scale tools provide information about the development of infants and young children.     0-4 months     4-8 months   8-12 months 12-18 months Overview   18-24 months 24-30 months 30-36 months 36-42 months User's Guide