All babies cry, and usually for good reason. Before they learn to talk, crying is one way to express their needs and send out signals of distress. Examples of three typical cries, and their differences in volume, pitch and rhythm:

Pain. A cry of pain or distress usually begins with an inward gasp followed by a long, rising shriek. There is a long pause until the next painful scream. Soothe the baby by rocking or with music.

Basic. A basic cry rises and fails rhythmically, broken up with a breath and a pause. The child may cry this way when demanding food or attention.

Grumble. A grumble cry is the first attempt at communication. It has a lower pitch and volume, often sounding whimpery and whiny. It is a signal that the child may be getting restless. Move the child to a different environment and provide new stimulation.

Toys and Games for Curious Tots

Children love playtime, especially when parents or siblings join in the fun. Look for educational toys and games that encourage development:

1-3 months old. Mobiles, unbreakable mirrors and activity centers attached to crib, rattles, stuffed toys with black and white patterns, music boxes, large colorful rings.

4-6 months old. Beach balls, chunky bracelets, building blocks, squeaky toys, paper streamers, books made of cloth or vinyl, playing peekaboo or come-and-get-me with others,

7-9 months old. Stuffed animals, balls, nesting cylinders, pop-up toys, large dolls and puppets, bath toys, performing “so big” or pat-a-cake.

10-12 months old. Push-and-pull toys like miniature cars, ordinary household objects like empty egg cartons and large spoons, stacked rings on a spindle, playing simple ball games.

13-15 months old. Toy telephones, acrobatics, pushing a carriage or toy horse, playing with cups and clothespins.

15-18 months old. Sandbox, simple musical instruments like a drum or tambourine, large colored beads, jack-in-the-boxes, blowing bubbles.

19-21 months. old Rocking horse, toys to take apart and fit back together, small rubber balls, digging toys, large crayons, kiddie cars, water games, easy jigsaw puzzles, making mud pies, playing tag or hide-and-seek.

22-24 months old. Kiddie lawn mowers and kitchen sets for make-believe play, modeling clay, construction sets, action toys like trains, telephones, dump trucks and fire engines, old magazines, baskets, tubes and containers with lids.

2-3 years. Beginner tricycle, mini-trampoline, toner skates or Rollerblades, dolls and accessories like strollers and baby bottles, dress-up clothes, coloring books, easel, crayons and markers, music, kiddie cassette player, swing sets, books, finger paint, mini basketball hoop, woodworking bench, kiddie swimming pool.

0-2 months old

1 month old

Behavior. Alert to stimuli like loud sounds and bright patterns. Quiets to holding or cuddling.

Interaction. Child may recognize parent’s voice or make eye-to-eye contact.

Tips. Spend special time with siblings who may feel abandoned or jealous.

2 months old

Emotions. Cries to show distress or pain, coos when happy or excited.

Tips. If leaving child with a sitter, choose someone beth you mad the baby know, like a grandparent or dose friend. Keep a list of emergency numbers handy.

3-8 months old

3 months old

Behavior. Smiles often to others or while sleeping.

Interaction. May cry differently when mother leaves the room than with other people. Begins to sort out who’s who in his life. May prefer certain people.

4 months old

Behavior. Laughs while playing and may cry if playtime is interrupted. May still act passively, taking in whatever toy or face comes near,

Emotions. Shows curiosity when inspecting rattle and dependency when wanting to be held. Moods may change rapidly.

Interaction. Tries to get parent’s attention by banging rattle or crying.

5 months old

Behavior. Child may become more assertive as he learns to reach for objects.

Emotions. Shows anger when someone tries to take away his toy. May begin to handle stresses better because of maturing nervous system.

Tips. Set clear rules if sibling tries to hurt baby. Give child responsibilities as big brother or sister.

6 months old

Interaction. May fear strangers. Responds positively to other children.

Tips. When baby repeatedly puts an object in his mouth that he should not, gently pull his arm away, say no and distract with another activity.

7 months old

Behavior. May test parents’ authority by refusing to follow their directions.

Emotions. Shows humor and laughs at funny expressions or positions.

Interaction. May give familiar people hugs and kisses. May raise his arms to be picked up.

8 months old

Behavior. Smiles at, pats or even kisses his mirror image. May distinguish between baby and image.

Interaction. May reject being alone or confined in a crib or playpen. May fear being separated from parents as he learns to crawl. Buries head in parent’s shoulder when meeting new people.

9-16 months old

9 months old

Interaction. May perform tricks like “so big” and peekaboo for familiar people. May repeat act if applauded. Near the end of the first year, child may learn to assess moods and imitate them. If baby sees someone crying, he may cry too.

10 months old

Emotions. Shows twinges of jealousy. May cry or whimper when sibling is at center of attention.

Interaction. Starts to become aware of social approval and disapproval.

11 months old

Behavior. May use a security blanket for comfort in strange places.

Interaction. May assert himself among siblings. Likes to imitate gestures and sounds.

12 months old

Tips. Try not to fuss when leaving child at home. Allow time for him to adjust to sitter. Distract baby with another activity and give a quick good-night kiss. Crying will probably stop after parents depart.

13 months old

Behavior. Laughs when chased. May become more demanding and seek constant attention.

Emotions. After the first year, personality begins to emerge. May be an explorer, a tease, a showoff.

14 months old

Behavior. Child may turn more aggressive as she learns to walk. May throw objects in anger.

Interaction. May enjoy playing alone, but still likes to act for an audience (toy chart, above left).

Tips. Time to baby-proof your house.

15 months old

Emotions. May communicate feelings with a dear intent or purpose.

Interaction. By midyear, some babies may recognize when familiar people are missing. May offer toys to others but will quickly want them back.

16 months old

Behavior. Instead of using words, child flings arms or moves away to say no.

Interaction. May hit parents in anger.

17 months old

Interaction. May respond correctly to what parents say. If scolded, child cries; if praised, she smiles.

Tips. Some toddlers shy away from others. Give child time to adapt to new situations and hold her hand.

18 months old

Behavior. Frustration may trigger tantrums. At this age, child acts on impulse due to limited understanding of good and bad, rules and warnings.

Interaction. Communicates desire for closeness by plopping on parent’s lap. Still has no sense of sharing with others.

19 months old

Behavior. Enjoys getting out of the house and exploring new environments.

Interaction. Some children will play among others in a group. May engage in parallel play.

Tips. Praise will motivate child to obey the simple rules set. Give precedence to rules that keep her safe, as well as ones that prohibit hitting and kicking.

20 months old

Behavior. During pretend play, child acts out what happens around her.

Emotions. May fear thunder, lightning, big animals and the dark. Install night light if sleep is consistently disrupted.

Interaction. Slowly warms to a new babysitter, but may still cling to mother around people she was comfortable with earlier.

21 months old

Emotions. May sympathize with other people or recognize their feelings. Expresses love for parents by hugging and smiling.

Interaction. Still possessive of toys but may give up objects that belong to someone else.

22 months old

Interaction. Cooperates with others. Language development facilitates communication. Engages in parallel play with toddlers, often back to back.

Tips. To build self-reliance, encourage child to separate from parents for short periods of time.

23 months old

Emotions. May fear rejection and become frustrated with new activities.

Interaction. May be willing to play alone. Likes to follow siblings and imitate their actions.

Tips. Try to give siblings some privacy and designate a special time to spend with them.

24 months old

Behavior. May become manipulative and bossy. Learns rules through trial and error.

Emotions. Able to explain feelings and desires using gestures and simple phrases. Trusts adults.

Interaction. Plays well with older children. May hand toy to another child. Imitates others through pretend play. May show signs of jealousy or revert to babyish actions when a new sibling arrives.

25-29 months old

Behavior. Sees the world almost exclusively through his needs. Assumes everyone thinks and acts like him. May throw tantrum when angry or frustrated.

Emotions. May have frequent mood swings. May pout or feel guilty when scolded. Learns how to express sadness or stress.

Interaction. May pull away from familiar children or adults. Siblings take on a greater role in daily life. May enjoy play groups; the concept of"friend" evolves.

Tips. Do not give child an audience during a tirade. Try not to scream back or dwell on the tantrum after it’s finished.

30-36 months old

Behavior. Toddler slowly begins to realize what’s acceptable and what’s not. May find it difficult to concentrate on new tasks.

Interaction. Child may be conscious of being a member of a family. May show pity or sympathy to familiar people. Sharing parent’s attention with siblings can be difficult. Insists on being at the center of play and may dislike sharing limelight with peers. May be ready for nursery school, which can create separation anxiety. In nursery school, child learns to follow rules, to cooperate with others and to spend a few hours away from home.

Tips. Encourage child to act responsibly by setting limits on dangerous or antisocial behavior. Timeouts may help defuse anger. Be consistent with rules. Praise child when he plays well with others.

For More Information

Many organizations offer advice on parenting and child development. Check with your public school for local groups. A few notable programs:

Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY USA): 212-678-3500 MELD (Minnesota Early Learning Design): 612-882-7563 Parents as Teachers National Center: 314-482-4830 Birth To Three: 80O-680-7888 Family Resources: 800-641-4546

SOURCES: “THE EARLY CHILDHOOD YEARS: THE 2 TO 6 YEAR OLD,” THE SECOND TWELVE MONTHS OF LIFE," “THE FIRST TWELVE MONTHS OF LIFE” BY THERESA AND FRANK CAPLAN; “CARING FOR YOUR BABY AND YOUNG CHILD” BY STEVEN P. SHELOV, M.D.; “FIRST FEELINGS” BY STANLEY GREENSPAN; “YOUR BABY & CHILD” BY PENELOPE LEACH