Phone: 877.688.2520

Development milestones

THERAPY 2000 therapists are often asked where children should be developmentally at certain ages. Below is a list of milestones that we use as developmental checkpoints.

Growth Stages Chart

Motor

  • Lifts head & shoulders while on stomach
  • Turns head side to side while on stomach
  • Follow moving toys/faces with eyes
  • Grasps
  • Wiggles, kicks with arms and legs

Sensory/Thinking

  • Turn head toward voices, bright colors & lights
  • Recognize bottle/breast
  • Respond to your shaking a rattle or bell

Language/Social

  • Makes cooing, gurgling sounds
  • Smiles back at parents or family members
  • Cries when hungry, scared or feeling discomfort

Motor

  • Reaches for and picks up objects
  • Plays with toes
  • Helps hold bottle during feedings
  • Rolls over
  • Sits with little support
  • Bounces when held in standing position

Sensory/Thinking

  • Opens mouth for the spoon
  • Imitates familiar actions you perform

Language/Social

  • Babbles
  • Knows familair faces
  • Laughs and squeals
  • Screams when upset
  • Smiles at him/herself in the mirror

Motor

  • Reaches for small things
  • Moves toys from one hand to the other hand
  • Sits unassisted
  • Pulls self to stand or walk by holding onto furniture

Sensory/Thinking

  • Opens mouth for the spoon
  • Imitates familiar actions you perform

Language/Social

  • Copy sounds or gestures

Motor

  • Drinks from cup with help
  • Feeds self finger foods (raisins)
  • Grasps small objects
  • Crawls on hands and knees
  • Stands alone and takes steps

Sensory/Thinking

  • Copy sounds & actions you make
  • Responds to music with body motion

Language/Social

  • Babbles, as if talking
  • Says first word
  • Recognizes familiar names
  • Tries to "talk" with you
  • Raises arms to be picked up

Motor

  • Likes to pull, push and dump things
  • Pulls off hat, socks and mittens
  • Turn pages in a book
  • Carries a stuffed animal or doll
  • Walks without help

Sensory/Thinking

  • Identifies object in picture book
  • Laughs at silly actions
  • Puts a round lid on a round pot

Language/Social

  • Says 8-10 words you can understand
  • Asks specifically for mother or father
  • Uses "hi", "bye" and "please"
  • Protests
  • Asks for something by pointing or using one word
  • Becomes anxious when separated from parent

Motor

  • Drinks from a straw
  • Feeds him/herself with a spoon
  • Bends over to pick up a toy and notfall
  • Runs short distances without falling

Sensory/Thinking

  • Likes to take things apart
  • Explores surroundings
  • Point to 5-6 parts of a doll when asked

Language/Social

  • Uses 2-3 word sentences
  • Says names of toys and people
  • Points to hair, eyes and nose when asked
  • Throws temper tantrums
  • Takes turns playing with other kids

Motor

  • Puts clothes on by him/herself
  • Walks up steps, alternating feet
  • Jumps in place

Sensory/Thinking

  • Matches circles and squares
  • Avoids some dangers, like a hot stove

Language/Social

  • Answers simple questions
  • Likes to play with other children
  • Repeats simple songs
  • Uses 3-5 word sentences
  • Talks about feelings

Motor

  • Holds a marker
  • Tries to cut paper with blunt scissors
  • Brushes teeth with help
  • Uses the bathroom alone
  • Catches a bouncing ball

Sensory/Thinking

  • Understands taking turns
  • Wants to know what will happen next
  • Distinguishes between real and pretend

Language/Social

  • Large vocabulary and good grammar
  • Asks direct questions
  • Wants to know how and why
  • Prefers playing with other children