Developmental Checklist for Young Children

Developmental Checklist for Young Children

This checklist is designed for you to record your child’s growth and development.   When you fill in the checklist, remember that each child develops at his or her own pace.   The age listed on the checklist is the time a number of children are consistently doing the activity.

If your child is not doing one activity at the age listed, there is probably no need to be concerned.  However, if your child is late in doing several activities, you should discuss it with your child’s doctor.

If your child was born prematurely, ask the doctor about your child’s corrected developmental age.

Birth to 3 Months

  • Able to raise head from surface when lying on tummy
  • Makes eye contact with adults
  • Moves arms and legs in energetic manner
  • Smiles and coos
  • Grunts and sighs
  • Likes to be held and rocked

3 to 5 Months

  • Eyes follow a slow moving object
  • Able to hold head erect
  • Grasps object when placed in his or her hand
  • Laughs out loud
  • Anticipates feeding and recognies familiar faces
  • Sits briefly with support

5 to 7 Months

  • Reaches for, holds and bangs objects
  • Stretches out arm to be picked up
  • Babbles
  • Turns toward sounds
  • Holds cookie or cracker, begins chewing
  • Rolls over

7 to 9 Months

  • Can sit steadily for about five minutes
  • Can transfer object from one hand to the other
  • Creeps (pulling body with arms and leg kicks)
  • Responds to name
  • Can stand for short time holding on to support
  • Likes to play peek-a-boo

9 to 12 Months

  • Says “Ma-ma” or “Da-da”
  • Copies sounds
  • Waves “hi” and “bye”
  • Able to pull self up at side of crib
  • Walks holding on to furniture
  • Takes sips from a cup
  • Crawls on hands and knees
  • Hits two objects together, throws and drops objects

12 to 15 Months

  • Says several words besides “Ma-ma” and “Da-da”
  • Walks without support by 15 months
  • Finger feeds self
  • Explores toys

15 to 18 Months

  • Uses 10 to 15 words spontaneously
  • Scribbles on paper after shown how
  • Begins using a spoon
  • Drinks from a cup held in both hands
  • Cooperates with dressing
  • Walks across a large room

18 to 24 Months

  • Can build a tower with three blocks
  • Likes to climb and take things apart
  • Uses single words frequently
  • Begins two-word phrases
  • Able to run
  • Looks at pictures in a book
  • Points to body parts such as nose, mouth and hair
  • Shows affection, offers hugs and kisses

2 to 3 Years

  • Walks up and down stairs using alternate feet, while holding on
  • Uses three-word phrases
  • Points to objects in a book
  • Knows his or her sex, body parts
  • Jumps lifting both feet off ground

3 to 4 Years

  • Opens door by turning the door knob
  • Builds a tower with nine blocks
  • Follows two commands of on, under or behind
  • Names pictures in a book or magazine
  • Understands complex sentences
  • Uses action words

4 to 5 Years

  • Uses four to five word sentences
  • Stands on one foot
  • Throws a ball overhand
  • Enjoys active play; racing, hopping, climbing
  • Points while counting three different objects
  • Names three colors
  • Counts aloud 1 through 10
  • Can copy a cross

5 to 6 Years

  • Can copy a square
  • Asks questions to seek information
  • Tells age correctly
  • Skips with both feet
  • Catches a small ball on a bounce
  • Dresses himself or herself completely