Do you have questions about how your child is developing? Here is a general Developmental Checklist that can help. Remember that all children develop at different rates so one or two slight delays may not constitute a developmental delay. But, the earlier a problem is addressed the better the chances are for your child to overcome any problems. If you notice that your child is behind in several areas for his/her age group you may want to contact your pediatrician and ask for an evaluation.
1 Month Old Skills
- Can hold head up
- Looks someone in the face when they make noises if they are in their direct line of vision and fairly close
- Wiggles arms and legs
- Responds to noises such as bells
3 Month Old Skills
- Can hold head up and still when held in a sitting position
- Holds head up when lying on tummy
- Babbles, laughs, coos and makes other noises
- Brings hands together as if clapping
6 Month Old Skills
- Holds and examines objects
- Bears weight on legs
- Turns toward sounds
- Reaches out to be held or for objects out of reach
- Can feed self foods such as cereal, crackers, cookies
9 Month Old Skills
- Can transfer objects from one hand to another
- Can sit without support
- Stands while holding onto support
- Says simple words like “mama” and “dada”
- Combines syllable and babbles
- Waves
1-year-old skills
- Bangs toys around making noise
- Can hold objects with thumb and finger
- Stands on their own, even for a short time
- Can indicate wants
- Claps and plays pat-a-cake
- Plays ball with someone
15-month Old Skills
- Walks and stands on own
- Scribbles with crayon
- Uses words together properly
- Imitates activity of others
- Can stack toys or put them in a container
18-month Old Skills
- Can build a tower of blocks
- Uses three or more words together for short sentences
- Drinks from a cup
- Runs
- Can help parents with simple tasks
2-year-old skills
- Walks up and down stairs
- Names items in pictures
- Throws a ball overhead
- Can take off own clothes
- Combines several words for simple sentences
3-year-old skills
- Washes own hands
- Can tell names of friends
- Dresses self without help
- Brushes teeth
- Speech is understandable at least half the time
- Understands the meaning of words like “hot” “sleepy” “run” “hungry”
4-year-old skills
- Can draw circle shapes
- Can hop in place
- Can tell you the use household objects like “phone” “stove” “Bed” “car”
- Can name at least one color
- Can understand directions like “in” “on” “under”
5-year-old skills
- Can count out 5 objects like blocks
- Plays games
- Names basic colors
- Can draw stick figures or people with 3 body parts (head, body, limbs)
- Can feed self and prepare own meal like cereal and milk
- Knows alphabet
This checklist was prepared in part by the Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education, the Arkansas Special Education Resource Center and the Civitan Preschool staff.
