DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST - 1 TO 3 MONTHS

OBSERVED

ü Raises head and cheek when lying on stomach (3 mos.)

ü Supports upper body with arms when lying on stomach (3 mos.)

ü Stretches legs out when lying on stomach or back (2-3 mos.)

ü Opens and shuts hands (2-3 mos.)

ü Pushes down on his legs when his feet are placed on firm surface (3 mos.)

ü Watches face intently (2-3 mos.)

ü Follows moving objects (2 mos.)

ü Recognizes familiar objects and people at a distance (3 mos.)

ü Starts using hands and eyes in coordination (3 mos.)

ü Smiles at the sound of voice (2-3 mos.)

ü Cooing noises; vocal play (begins at 3 mos.)

ü Attends to sound (1-3 mos.)

ü Startles to loud noise (1-3 mos.)

ü Begins to develop a social smile (1-3 mos.)

ü Enjoys playing with other people and may cry when playing stops (2-3 mos.)

ü Becomes more communicative and expressive with face and body (2-3 mos.)

ü Imitates some movements and facial expressions

DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAGS (1 TO 3 MONTHS)

ü Doesn’t seem to respond to loud noises

ü Doesn’t follow moving objects with eyes by 2 to 3 months

ü Doesn’t smile at the sound of your voice by 2 months

ü Doesn’t grasp and hold objects by 3 months

ü Doesn’t smile at people by 3 months

ü Cannot support head well at 3 months

ü Doesn’t reach for and grasp toys by 3 to 4 months

ü Doesn’t bring objects to mouth by 4 months

ü Doesn’t push down with legs when feet are placed on a firm surface by 4 months

ü Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions

ü Crosses eyes most of the time (occasional crossing of the eyes is normal in these first months)

DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST - 4 TO 7 MONTHS

OBSERVED

ü Pushes up on extended arms (5 mos.)

ü Pulls to sitting with no head lag (5 mos.)

ü Sits with support of his hands (5-6 mos.)

ü Sits unsupported for short periods (6-8 mos.)

ü Supports whole weight on legs (6-7 mos.)

ü Grasps feet (6 mos.)

ü Transfers objects from hand to hand (6-7 mos.)

ü Uses raking grasp (not pincer) (6 mos.)

ü Looks for toy beyond tracking range (5-6 mos.)

ü Tracks moving objects with ease (4-7 mos.)

ü Grasps objects dangling in front of him (5-6 mos.)

ü Looks for fallen toys (5-7 mos.)

ü Distinguishes emotions by tone of voice (4-7 mos.)

ü Responds to sound by making sounds (4-6 mos.)

ü Uses voice to express joy and displeasure (4-6 mos.)

ü Syllable repetition begins (5-7 mos.)

ü Finds partially hidden objects (6-7 mos.)

ü Explores with hands and mouth (4-7 mos.)

ü Struggles to get objects that are out of reach (5-7 mos.)

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL

ü Enjoys social play (4-7 mos.)

ü Interested in mirror images (5-7 mos.)

ü Responds to other people’s expression of emotion (4-7 mos.)

DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAGS (4 TO 7 MONTHS)

ü Seems very stiff, tight muscles

ü Seems very floppy, like a rag doll

ü Head still flops back when body is pulled to sitting position (by 5months still exhibits head lag)

ü Shows no affection for the person who cares for them

ü Doesn’t seem to enjoy being around people

ü One or both eyes consistently turn in or out

ü Persistent tearing, eye drainage, or sensitivity to light

ü Does not respond to sounds around them

ü Has difficulty getting objects to mouth

ü Does not turn head to locate sounds by 4 months

ü Doesn’t roll over (stomach to back) by 6 months

ü Cannot sit with help by 6 months (not by themselves)

ü Does not laugh or make squealing sounds by 5 months

ü Does not actively reach for objects by 6 months

ü Does not follow objects with both eyes

ü Does not bear some weight on legs by 5 months

DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST - 8 TO 12 MONTHS

OBSERVED

ü Gets to sitting position without assistance (8-10 mos.)

ü Crawls forward on belly

ü Assumes hand and knee position

ü Creeps on hands and knees

ü Gets from sitting to crawling or prone (lying on stomach) position (10-12 mos.)

ü Pulls self up to standing position

ü Walks holding on to furniture

ü Stands momentarily without support

ü May walk two or three steps without support

ü Uses pincer grasp (grasp using thumb and index finger) (7-10 mos.)

ü Bangs two one-inch cubes together

ü Puts objects into container (10-12 mos.)

ü Takes objects out of container (10-12 mos.)

ü Pokes with index finger

ü Tries to imitate scribbling

ü Explores objects in many different ways (shaking, banging, throwing, dropping) (8-10 mos.)

ü Finds hidden objects easily (10-12 mos.)

ü Looks at correct picture when image is named

ü Imitates gestures (9-12 mos.)

ü Responds to simple verbal requests

ü Responds to "no"

ü Makes simple gestures such as shaking head for no

ü Babbles with inflection (8-10 mos.)

LANGUAGE MILESTONES (cont)

OBSERVED

ü Babbles "dada" and "mama" (8-10 mos.)

ü Says "dada" and "mama" for specific person (11-12 mos.)

ü Uses exclamations such as "oh-oh"

ü Shy or anxious with strangers (8-12 mos.)

ü Cries when mother or father leaves (8-12 mos.)

ü Enjoys imitating people in his play (10-12 mos.)

ü Shows specific preferences for certain people and toys (8-12 mos.)

ü Prefers mother and/or regular care provider over all others (8-12 mos.)

ü Repeats sounds or gestures for attention (10-12 mos.)

ü Finger-feeds himself (8-12 mos.)

ü Extends arm or leg to help when being dressed

DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAGS (8 TO 12 MONTHS)

ü Does not crawl

ü Drags one side of body while crawling (for over one month)

ü Cannot stand when supported

ü Does not search for objects that are hidden (10-12 mos.)

ü Says no single words ("mama" or "dada")

ü Does not learn to use gestures such as waving or shaking head

ü Does not sit steadily by 10 months

ü Does not show interest in "peek-a-boo" or "patty cake" by 8 mos.

ü Does not babble by 8 mos. ("dada," "baba," "mama")

DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST - 12 TO 24 MONTHS

OBSERVED

ü Walks alone (12-16 mos.)

ü Pulls toys behind him while walking (13-16 mos.)

ü Carries large toy or several toys while walking (12-15 mos.)

ü Begins to run stiffly (16-18 mos.)

ü Walks into ball (18-24 mos.)

ü Climbs onto and down from furniture unsupported (16-24 mos.)

ü Walks up and down stairs holding on to support (18-24 mos.)

ü Scribbles spontaneously (14-16 mos.)

ü Turns over container to pour out contents (12-18 mos.)

ü Builds tower of four blocks or more (20-24 mos.)

ü Points to object or picture when it’s named for them (18-24 mos.)

ü Recognizes names of familiar people, objects, and body parts (18-24 mos.)

ü Says several single words (15-18 mos.)

ü Uses two-word sentences (18-24 mos.)

ü Follows simple, one-step instructions (14-18 mos.)

ü Repeats words overheard in conversations (16-18 mos.)

ü Finds objects even when hidden under 2 or 3 covers

ü Begins to sort shapes and colors (20-24 mos.)

ü Begins make-believe play (20-24 mos.)

ü Imitates behavior of others, especially adults and older children (18-24 mos.)

ü Increasingly enthusiastic about company or other children (20-24 mos.)

ü Demonstrates increasing independence (18-24 mos.)

ü Begins to show defiant behavior (18-24 mos.)

ü Episodes of separation anxiety increase toward midyear, then fade

DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAGS (12 TO 24 MONTHS)

ü Cannot walk by 18 months

ü Fails to develop a mature heel-toe walking pattern after several months of walking, or walks exclusively on toes

ü Does not speak at least 15 words by 18 months

ü Does not use two-word sentences by age 2

ü By 15 months does not seem to know the function of common household objects (brush, telephone, bell, fork, spoon)

ü Does not imitate actions or words by 24 mos.

ü Does not follow simple one-step instructions by 24 mos.

DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST - 24 TO 36 MONTHS

OBSERVED

ü Climbs well (24-30 mos.)

ü Walks down stairs alone, placing both feet on each step (26-28 mos.)

ü Walks up stairs alternating feet with support (24-30 mos.)

ü Swings leg to kick ball (24-30 mos.)

ü Runs easily (24-26 mos.)

ü Pedals tricycle (30-36 mos.)

ü Bends over easily without falling (24-30 mos.)

ü Makes vertical, horizontal, circular strokes with pencil or crayon (30-36 mos.)

ü Turns book pages one at a time (24-30 mos.)

ü Builds a tower of more than 6 blocks (24-30 mos.)

ü Holds a pencil in writing position (30-36 mos.)

ü Screws and unscrews jar lids, nuts, and bolts (24-30 mos.)

ü Turns rotating handles (24-30 mos.)

ü Recognizes and identifies almost all common objects and pictures (26-32 mos.)

ü Understands most sentences (24-40 mos.)

ü Understands physical relationships (on, in, under) (30-36 mos.)

ü Can say name, age, and sex (30-36 mos.)

ü Uses pronouns (I, you, me, we, they) (24-30 mos.)

ü Strangers can understand most of words (30-36 mos.)

COGNITIVE

OBSERVED

ü Makes mechanical toys work (30-36 mos.)

ü Matches an object in hand or room to a picture in a book (24-30 mos.)

ü Plays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people (24-36 mos.)

ü Sorts objects by color (30-36 mos.)

ü Completes puzzles with 3 or 4 pieces (24-36 mos.)

ü Understands concept of "two" (26-32 mos.)

ü Separates easily from parents (by 36 mo.)

ü Expresses a wide range of emotions (24-36 mos.)

ü Objects to major changes in routine (24-36 mos.)

DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAGS (24 TO 36 MONTHS)

ü Frequent falling and difficulty with stairs

ü Persistent drooling or very unclear speech

ü Inability to build a tower of more than 4 blocks

ü Difficulty manipulating small objects

ü Inability to copy a circle by 3 years old

ü Inability to communicate in short phrases

ü No involvement in pretend play

ü Failure to understand simple instructions

ü Little interest in other children

ü Extreme difficulty separating from primary caregiver

DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST - 3 TO 4 YEARS

OBSERVED

ü Hops and stands on one foot up to 5 seconds

ü Goes upstairs and downstairs without support

ü Kicks ball forward

ü Throws ball overhand

ü Catches bounced ball most of the time

ü Moves forward and backward

ü Uses riding toys

ü Copies square shapes

ü Draws a person with 2-4 body parts

ü Uses scissors

ü Draws circles and squares

ü Begins to copy some capital letters

ü Can feed self with spoon

ü Understands the concepts of "same" and "different"

ü Has mastered some basic rules of grammar

ü Speaks in sentences of 5-6 words

ü Asks questions

ü Speaks clearly enough for strangers to understand

ü Tells stories

ü Correctly names some colors

ü Understands the concept of counting and may know a few numbers

ü Begins to have a clearer sense of time

ü Follows three-part commands

ü Recalls parts of a story

ü Understands the concept of same/different

COGNITIVE MILESTONES (continued)

OBSERVED

ü Engages in fantasy play

ü Understands causality ("I can make things happen")

ü Interested in new experiences

ü Cooperates/plays with other children

ü Plays "mom "or "dad"

ü More inventive in fantasy play

ü Dresses and undresses

ü More independent

ü Often cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality

ü May have imaginary friends or see monsters

DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAGS (3 TO 4 YEARS)

ü Cannot jump in place

ü Cannot ride a trike

ü Cannot grasp a crayon between thumb and fingers

ü Has difficulty scribbling

ü Cannot copy a circle

ü Cannot stack 4 blocks

ü Still clings or cries when parents leave him

ü Shows no interest in interactive games

ü Ignores other children

ü Doesn't respond to people outside the family

ü Doesn't engage in fantasy play

ü Resists dressing, sleeping, using the toilet

ü Lashes out without any self-control when angry or upset

ü Doesn't use sentences of more than three words

ü Doesn't use "me" or "you" appropriately

DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST - 4 TO 5 YEARS

OBSERVED

ü Stands on one foot for 10 seconds or longer

ü Hops, somersaults

ü Swings, climbs

ü May be able to skip

ü Copies triangle and other geometric patterns

ü Draws person with body

ü Prints some letters

ü Dresses and undresses without assistance

ü Uses fork, spoon

ü Usually cares for own toilet needs

ü Recalls parts of a story

ü Speaks sentences of more than 5 words

ü Uses future tense

ü Tells longer stories

ü Says name and address

ü Can count 10 or more objects

ü Correctly names at least 4 colors

ü Better understands the concept of time

ü Knows about things used every day in the home (money, food, etc.)

ü Wants to please and be with friends

ü More likely to agree to rules

ü Likes to sing, dance, and act

ü Shows more independence

DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAGS (4 TO 5 YEARS)

ü Exhibits extremely aggressive, fearful or timid behavior

ü Is unable to separate from parents

ü Is easily distracted and unable to concentrate on any single activity for more than 5 minutes

ü Shows little interest in playing with other children

ü Refuses to respond to people in general

ü Rarely uses fantasy or imitation in play

ü Seems unhappy or sad much of the time

ü Avoids or seems aloof with other children and adults

ü Doesn't express a wide range of emotions

ü Has trouble eating, sleeping or using the toilet

ü Can't differentiate between fantasy and reality

ü Seems unusually passive

ü Can't understand two-part commands and prepositions ("put the cup on the table"; "get the ball under the couch")

ü Can't give his first and last name

ü Doesn't use plurals or past tense

ü Cannot build a tower of 6 to 8 blocks

ü Seems uncomfortable holding a crayon

ü Has trouble taking off clothing

ü Can't brush teeth or wash and dry hands