Developmental Checklist
DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST – 1 TO 3 MONTHS
MOVEMENT
üRaises head and cheek when lying on stomach (3 mos.)
üSupports upper body with arms when lying on stomach (3 mos.)
üStretches legs out when lying on stomach or back (2-3 mos.)
üOpens and shuts hands (2-3 mos.)
üPushes down on his legs when his feet are placed on firm surface (3 mos.)
VISUAL
üWatches face intently (2-3 mos.)
üFollows moving objects (2 mos.)
üRecognizes familiar objects and people at a distance (3 mos.)
üStarts using hands and eyes in coordination (3 mos.)
HEARING AND SPEECH
üSmiles at the sound of voice (2-3 mos.)
üCooing noises; vocal play (begins at 3 mos.)
üAttends to sound (1-3 mos.)
üStartles to loud noise (1-3 mos.)
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL
üBegins to develop a social smile (1-3 mos.)
üEnjoys playing with other people and may cry when playing stops (2-3 mos.)
üBecomes more communicative and expressive with face and body (2-3 mos.)
üImitates some movements and facial expressions
DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAGS (1 TO 3 MONTHS)
üDoesn’t seem to respond to loud noises
üDoesn’t follow moving objects with eyes by 2 to 3 months
üDoesn’t smile at the sound of your voice by 2 months
üDoesn’t grasp and hold objects by 3 months
üDoesn’t smile at people by 3 months
üCannot support head well at 3 months
üDoesn’t reach for and grasp toys by 3 to 4 months
üDoesn’t bring objects to mouth by 4 months
üDoesn’t push down with legs when feet are placed on a firm surface by 4 months
üHas trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions
üCrosses eyes most of the time (occasional crossing of the eyes is normal in these first months)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST - 4 TO 7 MONTHS
MOVEMENT
üPushes up on extended arms (5 mos.)
üPulls to sitting with no head lag (5 mos.)
üSits with support of his hands (5-6 mos.)
üSits unsupported for short periods (6-8 mos.)
üSupports whole weight on legs (6-7 mos.)
üGrasps feet (6 mos.)
üTransfers objects from hand to hand (6-7 mos.)
üUses raking grasp (not pincer) (6 mos.)
VISUAL
üLooks for toy beyond tracking range (5-6 mos.)
üTracks moving objects with ease (4-7 mos.)
üGrasps objects dangling in front of him (5-6 mos.)
üLooks for fallen toys (5-7 mos.)
LANGUAGE
üDistinguishes emotions by tone of voice (4-7 mos.)
üResponds to sound by making sounds (4-6 mos.)
üUses voice to express joy and displeasure (4-6 mos.)
üSyllable repetition begins (5-7 mos.)
COGNITIVE
üFinds partially hidden objects (6-7 mos.)
üExplores with hands and mouth (4-7 mos.)
üStruggles to get objects that are out of reach (5-7 mos.)
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL
üEnjoys social play (4-7 mos.)
üInterested in mirror images (5-7 mos.)
üResponds to other people’s expression of emotion (4-7 mos.)
DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAGS (4 TO 7 MONTHS)
üSeems very stiff, tight muscles
üSeems very floppy, like a rag doll
üHead still flops back when body is pulled to sitting position (by 5months still exhibits head lag)
üShows no affection for the person who cares for them
üDoesn’t seem to enjoy being around people
üOne or both eyes consistently turn in or out
üPersistent tearing, eye drainage, or sensitivity to light
üDoes not respond to sounds around them
üHas difficulty getting objects to mouth
üDoes not turn head to locate sounds by 4 months
üDoesn’t roll over (stomach to back) by 6 months
üCannot sit with help by 6 months (not by themselves)
üDoes not laugh or make squealing sounds by 5 months
üDoes not actively reach for objects by 6 months
üDoes not follow objects with both eyes
üDoes not bear some weight on legs by 5 months
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST – 8 TO 12 MONTHS
MOVEMENT
üGets to sitting position without assistance (8-10 mos.)
üCrawls forward on belly
üAssumes hand and knee position
üCreeps on hands and knees
üGets from sitting to crawling or prone (lying on stomach) position (10-12 mos.)
üPulls self up to standing position
üWalks holding on to furniture
üStands momentarily without support
üMay walk two or three steps without support
HAND AND FINGER SKILLS
üUses pincer grasp (grasp using thumb and index finger) (7-10 mos.)
üBangs two one-inch cubes together
üPuts objects into container (10-12 mos.)
üTakes objects out of container (10-12 mos.)
üPokes with index finger
üTries to imitate scribbling
COGNITIVE
üExplores objects in many different ways (shaking, banging, throwing, dropping) (8-10 mos.)
üFinds hidden objects easily (10-12 mos.)
üLooks at correct picture when image is named
LANGUAGE MILESTONES
üResponds to simple verbal requests
üResponds to “no”
üMakes simple gestures such as shaking head for no
üBabbles with inflection (8-10 mos.)
üBabbles “dada” and “mama” (8-10 mos.)
üSays “dada” and “mama” for specific person (11-12 mos.)
üUses exclamations such as “oh-oh”
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL
üShy or anxious with strangers (8-12 mos.)
üCries when mother or father leaves (8-12 mos.)
üEnjoys imitating people in his play (10-12 mos.)
üShows specific preferences for certain people and toys (8-12 mos.)
üPrefers mother and/or regular care provider over all others (8-12 mos.)
üRepeats sounds or gestures for attention (10-12 mos.)
üFinger-feeds himself (8-12 mos.)
üExtends arm or leg to help when being dressed
DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAGS (8 TO 12 MONTHS)
üDoes not crawl
üDrags one side of body while crawling (for over one month)
üCannot stand when supported
üDoes not search for objects that are hidden (10-12 mos.)
üSays no single words (“mama” or “dada”)
üDoes not learn to use gestures such as waving or shaking head
üDoes not sit steadily by 10 months
üDoes not show interest in “peek-a-boo" or "patty cake” by 8 mos.
üDoes not babble by 8 mos. (“dada,” “baba,” “mama”)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST - 12 TO 24 MONTHS
MOVEMENT
üWalks alone (12-16 mos.)
üPulls toys behind him while walking (13-16 mos.)
üCarries large toy or several toys while walking (12-15 mos.)
üBegins to run stiffly (16-18 mos.)
üWalks into ball (18-24 mos.)
üClimbs onto and down from furniture unsupported (16-24 mos.)
üWalks up and down stairs holding on to support (18-24 mos.)
HAND AND FINGER SKILLS
üScribbles spontaneously (14-16 mos.)
üTurns over container to pour out contents (12-18 mos.)
üBuilds tower of four blocks or more (20-24 mos.)
LANGUAGE
üPoints to object or picture when it’s named for them (18-24 mos.)
üRecognizes names of familiar people, objects, and body parts (18-24 mos.)
üSays several single words (15-18 mos.)
üUses two-word sentences (18-24 mos.)
üFollows simple, one-step instructions (14-18 mos.)
üRepeats words overheard in conversations (16-18 mos.)
COGNITIVE
üFinds objects even when hidden under 2 or 3 covers
üBegins to sort shapes and colors (20-24 mos.)
üBegins make-believe play (20-24 mos.)
SOCIAL
üImitates behavior of others, especially adults and older children (18-24 mos.)
üIncreasingly enthusiastic about company or other children (20-24 mos.)
üDemonstrates increasing independence (18-24 mos.)
üBegins to show defiant behavior (18-24 mos.)
üEpisodes of separation anxiety increase toward midyear, then fade
DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAGS (12 TO 24 MONTHS)
üCannot walk by 18 months
üFails to develop a mature heel-toe walking pattern after several months of walking, or walks exclusively on toes
üDoes not speak at least 15 words by 18 months
üDoes not use two-word sentences by age 2
üBy 15 months does not seem to know the function of common household objects (brush, telephone, bell, fork, spoon)
üDoes not imitate actions or words by 24 mos.
üDoes not follow simple one-step instructions by 24 mos.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES – 24 TO 36 MONTHS
MOVEMENT
üClimbs well (24-30 mos.)
üWalks down stairs alone, placing both feet on each step (26-28 mos.)
üWalks up stairs alternating feet with support (24-30 mos.)
üSwings leg to kick ball (24-30 mos.)
üRuns easily (24-26 mos.)
üPedals tricycle (30-36 mos.)
üBends over easily without falling (24-30 mos.)
HAND AND FINGER SKILLS
üMakes vertical, horizontal, circular strokes with pencil or crayon (30-36 mos.)
üTurns book pages one at a time (24-30 mos.)
üBuilds a tower of more than 6 blocks (24-30 mos.)
üHolds a pencil in writing position (30-36 mos.)
üScrews and unscrews jar lids, nuts, and bolts (24-30 mos.)
üTurns rotating handles (24-30 mos.)
LANGUAGE
üRecognizes and identifies almost all common objects and pictures (26-32 mos.)
üUnderstands most sentences (24-40 mos.)
üUnderstands physical relationships (on, in, under) (30-36 mos.)
üCan say name, age, and sex (30-36 mos.)
üUses pronouns (I, you, me, we, they) (24-30 mos.)
üStrangers can understand most of words (30-36 mos.)
COGNITIVE
üMakes mechanical toys work (30-36 mos.)
üMatches an object in hand or room to a picture in a book (24-30 mos.)
üPlays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people (24-36 mos.)
üSorts objects by color (30-36 mos.)
üCompletes puzzles with 3 or 4 pieces (24-36 mos.)
üUnderstands concept of “two” (26-32 mos.)
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL
üSeparates easily from parents (by 36 mo.)
üExpresses a wide range of emotions (24-36 mos.)
üObjects to major changes in routine (24-36 mos.)
DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAGS (24 TO 36 MONTHS)
üFrequent falling and difficulty with stairs
üPersistent drooling or very unclear speech
üInability to build a tower of more than 4 blocks
üDifficulty manipulating small objects
üInability to copy a circle by 3 years old
üInability to communicate in short phrases
üNo involvement in pretend play
üFailure to understand simple instructions
üLittle interest in other children
üExtreme difficulty separating from primary caregiver
_________________________________________________________________________________________
DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST – 3 TO 4 YEARS
MOVEMENT
üHops and stands on one foot up to 5 seconds
üGoes upstairs and downstairs without support
üKicks ball forward
üThrows ball overhand
üCatches bounced ball most of the time
üMoves forward and backward
üUses riding toys
HAND AND FINGER SKILLS
üCopies square shapes
üDraws a person with 2-4 body parts
üUses scissors
üDraws circles and squares
üBegins to copy some capital letters
üCan feed self with spoon
LANGUAGE MILESTONES
üUnderstands the concepts of "same" and "different"
üHas mastered some basic rules of grammar
üSpeaks in sentences of 5-6 words
üAsks questions
üSpeaks clearly enough for strangers to understand
üTells stories
COGNITIVE MILESTONES
üCorrectly names some colors
üUnderstands the concept of counting and may know a few numbers
üBegins to have a clearer sense of time
üFollows three-part commands
üRecalls parts of a story
üUnderstands the concept of same/different
üEngages in fantasy play
üUnderstands causality ("I can make things happen")
SOCIAL MILESTONES
üInterested in new experiences
üCooperates/plays with other children
üPlays "mom "or "dad"
üMore inventive in fantasy play
üDresses and undresses
üMore independent
EMOTIONAL MILESTONES
üOften cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality
üMay have imaginary friends or see monsters
DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAGS (3 TO 4 YEARS)
üCannot jump in place
üCannot ride a trike
üCannot grasp a crayon between thumb and fingers
üHas difficulty scribbling
üCannot copy a circle
üCannot stack 4 blocks
üStill clings or cries when parents leave him
üShows no interest in interactive games
üIgnores other children
üDoesn't respond to people outside the family
üDoesn't engage in fantasy play
üResists dressing, sleeping, using the toilet
üLashes out without any self-control when angry or upset
üDoesn't use sentences of more than three words
üDoesn't use "me" or "you" appropriately
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES – 4 TO 5 YEARS
MOVEMENT
üStands on one foot for 10 seconds or longer
üHops, somersaults
üSwings, climbs
üMay be able to skip
MILESTONES IN HAND AND FINGER SKILLS
üCopies triangle and other geometric patterns
üDraws person with body
üPrints some letters
üDresses and undresses without assistance
üUses fork, spoon
üUsually cares for own toilet needs
LANGUAGE MILESTONES
üRecalls parts of a story
üSpeaks sentences of more than 5 words
üUses future tense
üTells longer stories
üSays name and address
COGNITIVE MILESTONES
üCan count 10 or more objects
üCorrectly names at least 4 colors
üBetter understands the concept of time
üKnows about things used every day in the home (money, food, etc.)
SOCIAL MILESTONES
üWants to please and be with friends
üMore likely to agree to rules
üLikes to sing, dance, and act
üShows more independence
DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAGS (4 TO 5 YEARS)
üExhibits extremely aggressive, fearful or timid behavior
üIs unable to separate from parents
üIs easily distracted and unable to concentrate on any single activity for more than 5 minutes
üShows little interest in playing with other children
üRefuses to respond to people in general
üRarely uses fantasy or imitation in play
üSeems unhappy or sad much of the time
üAvoids or seems aloof with other children and adults
üDoesn't express a wide range of emotions
üHas trouble eating, sleeping or using the toilet
üCan't differentiate between fantasy and reality
üSeems unusually passive
üCan't understand two-part commands and prepositions ("put the cup on the table"; "get the ball under the couch")
üCan't give his first and last name
üDoesn't use plurals or past tense
üCannot build a tower of 6 to 8 blocks
üSeems uncomfortable holding a crayon
üHas trouble taking off clothing
üCan't brush teeth or wash and dry hands
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
