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Birth – 6 Months
- Discriminates speech from non-speech sounds
- Smiles when spoken to
- Displays different cries for various needs
- Babbles (pa, ba, mi)
- Coos and squeals
- Giggles and laughs
- Vocalizes and makes facial expressions when happy or upset
- Smiles
- Cries to express discomfort
- Explores objects with hands and mouth
- Searches with eyes for sound
- Follows a moving person with eyes
- Examines objects visually
- Bangs objects on a table
- Reaches toward objects
- Uses various palmar grasping patterns
- Grasps objects and brings them to mouth
- Transfers objects between hands
- Plays with hands together at midline
- Lifts head (3–4 months)
- Raises trunk when lying on stomach (4–6 months)
- Kicks reciprocally when lying on back
- Sits propped on hands
- Plays and bounces when supported in standing
- Rolls between positions
6 – 12 Months
- Recognizes words for familiar objects/people
- Responds to own name
- Listens selectively
- Starts to respond to simple words and phrases (“no,” “come here”)
- Babbles longer sounds (mimi, bababa, upup)
- Makes gestures (e.g., waves, reaches, shakes head no) and imitates simple gestures
- Imitates various speech sounds
- Lifts arms to be picked up
- Interacts with other infants briefly
- Plays peek-a-boo
- Responds to mirror playfully
- Shows dependence on mother
- Plays happily with parents in room
- Looks at picture books
- Begins to generalize from past experiences
- Uses intention with toys
- Removes objects from and releases objects into container
- Mouths toys
- Reaches accurately for toys
- Plays with toys at midline and transfers between hands
- Bangs objects together
- Waves toys in the air
- Rolls ball to adult
- Grasps small objects with fingertips
- Points and explores toys with index finger
- Sits independently
- Independently transitions to sitting position
- Pivots in standing position
- Stands, plays in standing with support
- Crawls (10 months)
- Walks with hand held (12 months)
12 – 18 Months
- Says 1–2 words by first birthday
- Recognizes and points to body parts when asked
- Follows 1-step directions
- Understands simple questions (“Who’s that?”)
- Uses many new words
- Uses p, b, m, h, and w in words
- Begins to name pictures in books
- Imitates model
- Symbolic play with real props (e.g., pretends to drink from cup)
- Understands how objects work and their function
- Problem-solves with trial and error
- Moves away from and shares toys with parent
- Responds to others’ facial expressions
- Holds crayon and makes marks
- Holds two toys in hand, releases toys from both hands
- Stacks blocks
- Fits toys into form space (e.g., puzzle board)
- Attempts puzzles
- Opens and shuts boxes or containers
- Points to pictures with index finger
- Uses two hands in play: one to stabilize, one to manipulate
- Plays in standing
- Sits in small chair, climbs into adult chair
- Walks well, squats, retrieves objects from floor
- Flings ball
- Pulls toys while walking
- Walks upstairs with one hand supported
- Pushes/pulls objects on floor
18 - 24 Months
- Asks wh- questions (e.g., “What’s that?”)
- Puts 2 words together (e.g., “more drink,” “no nap”)
- Shows affection
- Shows wide ranges of emotions
- Can be frustrated
- Enjoys solitary play (e.g., coloring, building)
- Participates in parallel play
- Uses inanimate objects to perform actions
- Begins to use non-realistic objects in pretend play
- Uses objects with functional purpose
- Laughs at someone being silly
- Has object permanence
- Links multiple steps together
- Completes 4–5 piece puzzle
- Builds block towers
- Holds crayon in fingertips
- Draws simple figures (e.g., straight line, circle)
- Strings beads
- Begins to use simple tools (e.g., toy hammer)
- Participates in multi-step tasks
- Turns book pages
- Runs, squats, climbs on furniture
- Climbs on jungle gym, slides
- Kicks ball forward
- Throws ball at large target
- Jumps in place with two feet
- Walks up and down stairs
2 – 3 Years
- Understands 1,000–1,500 words
- Combines 3 words together
- Uses about 800 words
- 75–90% intelligible (understood by others)
- Uses k, g, f, t, d sounds
- Uses prepositions (in, on, under)
- Greets and initiates play with others; shows interest in peers
- Uses attention-getting words (e.g., “Look!”)
- Can respond to questions (e.g., “Who/what is that?”)
- Starting to ask questions (“Who?” “What?” “Why?”)
- Can follow 2–3 step directions
- Talks during pretend play
- Participates in cooperative play with turn-taking
- Understands basic use for objects (e.g., use a fork to eat)
- Can label pictures and objects
- Talks about things that aren’t in the room
- Understands negatives (not, no)
- Imitates vertical line, horizontal line, circle
- Completes 3-piece insert puzzle
- Snips paper with scissors
- Strings large beads
- Uses digital pronate grasp
- Self-feeds with spoon and fork
- Pulls down pants, helps put on socks, shirt, jacket
- Unbuttons large buttons
- Washes hands independently
- Indicates need to use bathroom; can wipe after urinating
- Runs
- Balances on one foot (2–3 seconds)
- Throws ball overhand to a target
- Jumps down from step; jumps forward with two feet
- Begins to ride a tricycle
3 – 4 Years
- Uses 4 words together
- Responds when called from another room
- Understands shapes, colors, and family members
- Answers “who,” “what,” and “where” questions
- Asks “when” and “how” questions
- Understands rhyming and plurals
- Uses pronouns
- Talks about what happened earlier in the day
- Categorizes and sorts objects
- Shows sense of humor
- Aware of turn-taking and social aspects of conversation
- Prefers group play
- Interested in being a friend
- Uses imaginary objects in play
- Attempts challenging activities
- Copies vertical line, horizontal line, and circle
- Cuts on a straight line
- Uses static tripod grasp
- Manipulates objects within hand
- Puts on clothing with little assistance
- Zips and unzips
- Uses bathroom independently
- Jumps, climbs, and runs
- Begins to skip and hop
- Rides tricycle
- Alternates feet walking upstairs
- Throws ball
4 - 5 Years
- Uses about 1,000–1,500 words
- Uses 4–6 word sentences
- 90% intelligible (understood)
- Masters sounds: k, g, d, t, ng, f, y
- Begins to tell stories including real and imaginary information
- Asks questions (“how,” “when,” “why”)
- Uses -ing, regular past tense -ed, possession ’s, and some irregular past tense verbs
- Responds to “why” questions
- Engages in cooperative play
- Repeats sentences
- Sings whole songs
- Acknowledges communication partner with fillers (e.g., “yeah,” “OK”)
- Uses variety of word types (nouns, verbs, adjectives)
- Attends to a group activity
- Follows 3–4 step directions
- Understands rules to games
- Colors within lines
- Cuts out a circle and square
- Copies cross, diagonal lines, square, and some numbers and letters
- Uses dynamic tripod grasp
- Completes 10-piece puzzle
- Uses two hands together well, with a dominant hand
- Strings small beads
- Puts on shoes and socks
- Can buckle belt and weave through belt loops
- Brushes teeth with supervision
- Bathes self with assistance
- Jumps down from high step, forward
- Throws ball and hits target
- Hops 4–6 steps
- Climbs on and swings from playground equipment
- Walks up and down stairs reciprocally
5 - 6 Years
- Understands about 2,000–2,500 words
- Combines 5–8 words together in sentences
- Engages in conversation, uses imagination to create stories, can discuss emotions and feelings
- Begins to use manners
- Can retell stories
- Uses compound and complex sentences
- Uses all pronouns consistently
- Understands words for order (“first,” “next,” “finally”)
- Knows spatial relations (on, behind, far, etc.)
- Understands opposites, same and different
- Understands and recognizes printed letters
- Plays in groups of 2–4
- Bases play on real life
- Uses complex scripts in play
- Uses deferred imitation
- Sorts objects in various ways
- Asks questions for information
- Distinguishes left and right
- Draws a stick figure
- Copies a triangle and most uppercase letters
- Prints own name
- Completes 20-piece puzzle
- Manipulates small objects in fingertips without dropping
- Ties and unties knots
- Dresses independently
- Hops for long distances
- Skips with good balance
- Catches ball with two hands
- Kicks ball with accuracy
- Balances on one foot for 8–10 seconds
6 - 7 Years
- Cooperative, tries to please others
- Has a best friend; is part of cliques
- Can regulate behavior; is less impulsive
- Performs mental operations without needing to try physically
- Solves complex problems; demonstrates flexible problem-solving
- Prints lowercase letters
- Does not reverse letters or numbers
- Cuts a variety of shapes
- Shows good dexterity for crafts
- Motor planning evident in drawing and puzzle completion
- Uses knife
- Ties shoes
- Bathes independently
- Runs fast, with endurance
- Jumps, hops, skips
- Rides a two-wheel bike
- Throws ball well at long distances
- Catches ball with accuracy
Reach out for an evaluation or FREE telephone consultation!
If you notice any of the following "red flags," our specialists are here to help:
- Asymmetrical movement (using only one side of the body).
- Appearing "floppy" or having low muscle tone.
- Not sitting by 8 months or walking by 16 months.
- Walking on tiptoes more than 50% of the time.
- Frequent falling, tripping, or general clumsiness.
- Significant difficulty with age-appropriate buttons, scissors, or pencil use.
- Extreme sensitivity or under-responsiveness to sounds, textures, or touch.