Development Checklist for Young Children

ONE Month

• Able to raise head from surface when lying on tummy.
• Pays attention to someone's face in his/her direct line of vision.
• Moves arms and legs in energetic manner.
• Avoids mildly annoying sensations (placement of cloth on face).
• Some "noise in throat" sounds.
• Quieted by human voice.
• Crying generally symptomatic of bodily discomforts.
• Gross vowels sounds (ah, uh).

TWO Months

• Coos.
• Rolls part way to side when lying on back.
• Grunt and sighs.
• Holds head erect, bobbing when supported in sitting position.
• Follows moving object with eyes (head stationary).
• Imitates or responds to smiling person with occasional smile.
• Attentive to human voice.

THREE Months

• Turns head and follows a moving object with eyes.
• Grasps objects when placed in his/her hand.
• Lifts head and chest when lying on stomach.
• Vigorous body movement.
• Recognizes bottle or breast.
• Crying is different for pain, hunger, etc.
• Closer approximation to true sounds.

FOUR Months

• Holds a rattle for an extended period of time.
• Laughs aloud.
• Sits, if supported, for short periods of time.
• Turns head or eyes toward sound of familiar person or object.
• Good head control.
• Rolls from side to side.
• May begin reaching.
• Follows moving object when held in sitting position.
• Babbles.

FIVE Months

• Reaches for and holds objects.
• Stands firmly when held.
• Stretches out arms to be picked up.
• Pats and smiles at image in mirror.
• Likes to play peek-a-boo.
• Follows object with eyes across 180 degree area.
• Responds to tones of voice.
• Babbling increases - uses a variety of sounds (squeals, grunts, etc.).

SIX Months

• Sits with a little support (one hand bracing him/her).
• Persistently reaches for objects out of his/her reach.
• Holds, sucks, bites cookie or cracker - begins chewing.
• Rolls from back to stomach.
• Transfers object from hand to mouth.
• Babbles - more advanced stage.
• Listens to own voice.
• Locates source of sound.

SEVEN Months

• Can transfer object from one hand to the other hand.
• Can sit for a few minutes without support.
• Creeps (pulling body with arms and leg kicks).
• Is shy at first with strangers.
• Reaches for bright or sound producing familiar object.

EIGHT Months

• Can sit steadily for about five minutes.
• Crawls (on hands and knees).
• Grasps things with thumb and first two fingers.
• Likes to be near parents.
• Responds to "No" by stopping activity.

NINE Months

• Responds to name.
• Can stand for a short time holding onto support.
• Copies sounds.
• Reaches and grasps bright or sound producing familiar object.
• Repeats words.

TEN Months

• Able to pull self up at side of crib or playpen.
• Can drink from a cup when it is held.
• Releases objects.

ELEVEN Months

• Can walk holding onto furniture or sides of crib or playpen.
• Can find an object placed under another object.
• Holds object and examines it with hands and/or eyes.

TWELVE Months

• Waves bye-bye.
• Can walk with one hand held.
• Says one or two words besides Ma-ma/Da-da.
• Enjoys some solid foods.
• Finger feeds self.
• Likes to have an audience.
• Picks things up with thumb and one finger.
• Gives toy on request.
• Gives affection.
• Follows two to three word directions accompanied by gestures.
• Jabbering.

FIFTEEN Months

• Walks by self; stops creeping.
• Shows wants by pointing and gestures.
• Scribbles on paper after shown.
• Begins using a spoon.
• Cooperates with dressing.
• Vocalizes - voice up and down sounds like conversation.
• May use 4 or 5 words.

EIGHTEEN Months

• Takes things apart.
• Tries to put on shoes.
• Drinks from cup held in both hands.
• Likes to help a parent.
• May run a bit-climb up or down one stair at a time.
• Likes pull toys.
• Likes being read to.
• Makes mark with crayon on paper or tablet.
• Partially feeds self.
• May use 5-10 words.

TWO Years

• Able to run.
• Walks up/down stairs using alternate feet.
• Says at least 50 words.
• Sometimes uses 2-3 word sentences - such as "more juice".
• Points to and names familiar objects in a book.
• Kicks/throws large ball.
• Turns pages (2 or 3 at a time).
• Imitates housework.
• Asks for items by name.
• Names some body parts.

THREE Years

• Knows his/her sex.
• Dresses self except for buttoning.
• Can follow 2 commands of on, under, or behind (i.e., stand on the rug).
• Knows most parts of the body.
• Jumps lifting both feet off ground.
• Can build tower with 9 blocks.
• Makes circular motion (pencil, crayon, finger paint).
• Walks up and down stairs.
• Stands momentarily on one foot.
• Rides tricycle.
• Feeds self.
• Turns doorknob and faucets.
• Plays by self or next to other children.
• Likes to make things out of clay, sand, and mud.
• Verbalizes toilet needs.
• Can repeat 2 numbers in a row.
• Says rhymes and jingles from TV and from stories.
• Uses 3 word sentences - such as "Want more milk". Asks questions: "What's that?" or "Where's Daddy?"
• Can rote count to five.
• Names familiar animals.

FOUR Years

• Begins to take turns and sharing of own toys.
• Plays "make believe": "You be the baby, I'll be the mommy".
• Plays with groups of children where all do the same kinds of things.
• Counts out three dolls, chains, etc.
• Uses 5-6 word sentences: "Mommy, I want more cookies."
• Dress and undress all by self.
• Buttons and zips clothing.
• Can wash hands and face without help.
• Can copy a "circle" and "cross".
• Can stand on one foot.
• Snips with scissors.
• Hops in place.
• Can somersault.
• Throws ball over head, catches a bounced ball.
• Points to 6 basic colors and names some of them.
• Can answer questions about self: "What's your last name?" "Are you a boy or girl?" "How old are you?"
• Tells you what "we" did yesterday and what we're going to do tomorrow.

FIVE Years

• Can follow three commands.
• Can copy a square. Can skip.
• Walk backwards. Runs on tiptoe.
• Prints a few capital letters.
• Recognizes own printed name.
• Answers verbally to "Hi" and "How are you?"
• Plays cooperatively with other children.
• Names emotions: "I'm mad at my puppy".
• Brushes teeth.
• Cares for self at toilet unassisted.
• Cuts food with knife.
• "Reads" by talking about picture.
• Knows about 1/3 of the alphabet (not necessarily in order).
• Sorts objects according to color, shape.
• Says numerals in order: 1, 2, 3, etc.
• Recites nursery rhymes.

SIX TO EIGHT Years

• Begins to show a sense of humor- tells jokes.
• Can concentrate on one task and screen out distractions.
• Short-term memory improves.
• Understands that the amount of something stays the same despite change in shape, length or position.
• Can sort objects into categories or classes.
• Can arrange items in a logical sequence (i.e., longest to shortest).
• Begins to understand speed and distance.
• Begins to understand cause and effect.
• Uses words and numbers to represent objects and relations.
• Shows an increase in vocabulary.
• Will work and relate well with peers- cooperate.
• Develops a conscience.
• Learns self-control.
• Physical growth slows.
• Shows greater control over bodies.
• Can sit for longer periods of time.
• Is fatigued from sitting rather than running and jumping.
• Is refining such as: batting a ball, skipping, balancing on a beam or riding a bike.