Written by Libby Martinez
Illustrated
and Adapted by Brianna Cooper
Written by Libby Martinez
Illustrated and Adapted by Brianna Cooper
Parents: Look for the paw print to learn important developmental milestones to look for in your child by age 2!
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(kaugya’aq)
Bear and Fox are 2 years old. They are friends.
(taquka’aq)
(Look for Alutiiq words in parenthesis throughout the book to learn the Alutiiq word for different animals!)
2
Milestone Moment: By age 2, most children follow simple instructions.
Bear and Fox have a favorite game. It’s called, “Where is Bear?”
Do you want to play?
Cover your eyes while Bear hides!
3
Where is Bear?
4
Milestone Moment: By age 2, most children name items in a picture book.
Let's ask Chickadee (uksullaq) if he sees Bear.
Chickadee is a bird, he lives in a ______. Knock two times on Chickadee's tree. Knock. Knock. "Chickadee! Chickadee!"
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"Where is Bear? Is he in the tree?" asks Fox. "No," says Chickadee "But I will help you find him."
"Great, Chickadee. I'll fly like you!" says Fox.
Milestone Moment: By age 2, most children copy others, especially adults and other children.
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Milestone Moment: By age 2, most children follow two-step instructions.
Let's ask River Otter (aaquyaq) if she sees Bear. River Otter lives in a river. Splash the water and call Otter. Splash. Splash. "Otter! Otter!"
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"Where is Bear? Is he in the river?" asks Fox. "No," says River Otter. "But I will help you find him."
"Chickadee, look how River Otter swims!" says Fox.
Milestone Moment: By age 18 months, most children point to show others something interesting.
8
Let's ask Ermine (amitatuk) if she sees Bear. Ermine lives in a den. Ermine likes to run.
Can you run like Ermine?
Milestone Moment: By age 2, most children begin to run. By age 2, most children begin to include others in chase games.
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"Where is Bear? Is he in the den?" asks Fox. "No," says Ermine. "But I will help you find him."
10
Let's ask Vole (ugna’aq) if he sees Bear.
Vole likes to hide in the grass. Let's pretend we're the wind and blow the grass.
Milestone Moment: By age 2, most children play simple make-believe games.
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"Where is Bear? Is he in the grass?" asks Fox. "No," says Vole. "But I will help you find him."
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Do YOU know where Bear is?
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"He's where?" asks Fox.
Milestone Moment: By age 2, most children point to things in a book.
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"Bear! Bear is over there!" says Fox. "We found him!"
Milestone Moment: By age 2, most children get excited when with other children.
“Hooray!” his friends say. Let’s play again!
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DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES FOR TERRIFIC 2-YEAR-OLDS
Watch and see if your 2-year-old can do each of these milestones
Social/Emotional Milestones
Copies others, especially adults and older children
Gets excited when with other children
Shows more and more independence
Shows defiant behavior (doing what they have been told not to do)
Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games
Language/Communication Milestones
Points to things or pictures when they are named
Knows names of familiar people and body parts
Says sentences with 2 to 4 words
Follows simple instructions
Repeats words overheard in conversation
Points to things in a book
Do you have questions about parenting or child development? Call Oklahoma Autism Center and a Family Support Specialist can help answer questions and get you connected to resources. Call 405-842-9995 or visit www.autismcenterok.org.
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Cognitive Milestones
Learning, Thinking, Problem-Solving
Finds things even when hidden under two or three covers
Begins to sort shapes and colors
Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books
Plays simple make-believe games
Builds towers of 4 or more blocks
Might use one hand more than the other
Follows two-step instructions such as “Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.”
Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog
Movement/Physical Development Milestones
Stands on tiptoe
Kicks a ball
Begins to run
Walks up and down stairs holding on (to a railing, the wall, a hand, etc.)
Climbs onto and down from furniture without help
Throws ball overhand
Makes or copies straight lines and circles
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Terrific Tips to Help Your 2-Year-Old Learn and Grow
How you can help your 2-year-old learn and grow:
Give your child time to get to know a new cargiver. Bring a favorite toy, stuffed animal, or blanket to help comfort your child.
In response to unwanted behaviors, say “no” firmly. Do not yell, spank, or give long explanations. A time out for 30 seconds to 1 minute might help redirect your child.
Give your child lots of hugs, kisses, and praise for good behavior.
Spend a lot more time encouraging wanted behaviors than punishing unwanted behaviors (4 times as much encouragement for wanted behaviors as redirection for unwanted behaviors).
Talk to your child about what you are doing. For example, “Mommy is washing your hands with a washcloth.”
Read with your child every day. Have your child turn the pages. Take turns labeling pictures with your child.
Build on what your child says or tries to say, or what he points to. If he points to a truck and says “t” or “truck,” say, “Yes, that’s a big, blue truck.”
Act early by talking to your child’s doctor if your child:
Is missing milestones
Doesn’t know what to do with common things like a brush, phone, fork, or spoon
Doesn’t copy actions and words
Doesn’t follow simple instructions
Doesn’t use 2-word phrases (for example, “drink milk”)
Doesn’t walk steadily
Loses skills they once had
Take this checklist and talk with your child’s doctor at your next well-child visit.
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THE TERRIFIC AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR
About Libby Martinez, Author
Libby Martinez is an award-winning Latina children’s book author and poet. She is the co-author of I Pledge Allegiance (Knopf/Random House), which was recognized as the Best Children’s Picture Book (2015) by the Texas Institute of Letters and the International Latino Book Awards. I Pledge Allegiance also appeared on the Cooperative Children’s Book Center’s Choices List, the Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People List, the Kentucky Bluegrass Award Master List, the Maine State Library’s Cream of the Crop List, and was a Scholastic Clubs & Fairs Selection. Libby is also the co-author of Bravo, Chico Canta! Bravo! (Groundwood Books), which was a Junior Library Guide Selection (Spanish Edition) and appeared on National Public Radio’s Diverse Summer Reading List for Kids. Prior to becoming a children’s book author and poet, she worked in the Texas political arena, served as the director of school and community partnerships for the Philadelphia Zoo, and founded a consulting and grant writing practice. Libby is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Stanford Law School. You can learn more about her at libbymartinez.com.
About Brianna Cooper, Illustrator
Brianna Cooper is an Alaskan artist who finds comfort and inspiration from the people and places that surround her. She is a graduate of Western Washington University and Creighton University, where she earned a doctorate degree in occupational therapy. She currently works as a full-time pediatric occupational therapist and regularly explores her love of art with the children and families she serves.
This book was adapted and illustrated on the original homeland of the Alutiiq/Sugpiaq people. The creators of this book recognize the complex history and rich culture of Alaska’s Native community. We thank and acknowledge the ten tribes of the Kodiak Alutiiq Region. The heritage and culture of the Alutiiq people continues to enrich our communities, and we honor the families and tribal members still connected to this land.
This work was supported in part by a subaward from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cooperative agreement (6 NU38OT000280-02-02).
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Meet Fox, Bear, and their friends, Chickadee, River Otter, Ermine, and Vole!
In this terrifically unique and interactive tale, your 2-year-old child will help Fox find Bear. Each step in your child’s quest to find Bear highlights important milestones in your child’s growth and development. Look for the pawprint on each page for these Milestone Moments. Be sure to review the milestone checklist and helpful parenting tips at the end of the book to learn more about your child’s development.
Do you have questions about child development or need more resources?
Visit www.autismcenterok.org or call 405-842-9995 to talk with a Oklahoma Family Support Specialist or contact your local Infant Learning Program.
