Milestone Checklist
How Is Your Child Developing?
These milestones bring together the CDC’s checklists, which list what most children (75% or more) can do by each age, with NHS guidance and therapy development charts, which give typical ages rather than a 75% threshold. Choose the age your child has most recently reached, then answer each question. For a 7-month-old, for example, choose 6 months.
Milestones by 2 months
Answer from what you usually see your child do. If they haven’t had the chance to try something yet, choose “not sure”.
Talking & Understanding
Does your baby make sounds other than crying?
Does your baby react to loud sounds?
Learning & Thinking
Does your baby watch you as you move?
Does your baby look at a toy for several seconds?
Movement
Does your baby hold their head up when on their tummy?
Does your baby move both arms and both legs?
When lying on their tummy, does your baby turn their head to the side?
When you hold your baby upright, do they briefly lift their head?
Hand Skills
Does your baby open their hands briefly?
Does your baby grip your finger when you place it in the palm of their hand?
Senses
Is your baby drawn to faces and bold black-and-white patterns?
Does your baby respond to voices and the sound of a rattle?
Everyday Skills
Does your baby suck during feeds?
At any age, if your child loses skills they once had, talk to their doctor or a specialist straight away.
Also talk to a specialist if your child uses one arm or leg much less than the other, seems weak in their arms or legs, or has jerky or uncontrolled movements, spasms or shaking. In babies under 1, a strong preference for one hand is also worth checking.
If your child was born more than 3 weeks early, use their corrected age until they are 2: take the number of weeks they were born early away from their age. Babies born early may reach milestones later than babies born at full term.
Milestones by 4 months
Answer from what you usually see your child do. If they haven’t had the chance to try something yet, choose “not sure”.
Talking & Understanding
Does your baby make cooing sounds like “oooo” and “aahh”?
Does your baby make sounds back when you talk to them?
Does your baby turn their head towards the sound of your voice?
Does your baby cry differently for different needs, like hunger or tiredness?
Learning & Thinking
When hungry, does your baby open their mouth when they see the breast or bottle?
Does your baby look at their hands with interest?
Does your baby get bored or fussy if an activity doesn’t change?
Movement
Does your baby hold their head steady without support when you’re holding them?
When on their tummy, does your baby push up onto their elbows or forearms and lift their head?
Does your baby roll onto their back from either side?
Does your baby turn their head to both sides?
Hand Skills
Does your baby hold a toy when you put it in their hand?
Does your baby hold a rattle for more than 30 seconds after you put it in their hand?
Does your baby use their arm to swing at toys?
Does your baby bring their hands to their mouth?
When lying on their back, does your baby bring their hands together and play with their fingers?
Does your baby grab or pull at their clothes?
Senses
Does your baby follow a moving toy or person with their eyes from side to side?
Does your baby focus on your face or a toy held close to them (about 20 to 30 cm away)?
Does your baby recognize your voice, for example by calming or turning towards you when you speak?
At any age, if your child loses skills they once had, talk to their doctor or a specialist straight away.
Also talk to a specialist if your child uses one arm or leg much less than the other, seems weak in their arms or legs, or has jerky or uncontrolled movements, spasms or shaking. In babies under 1, a strong preference for one hand is also worth checking.
If your child was born more than 3 weeks early, use their corrected age until they are 2: take the number of weeks they were born early away from their age. Babies born early may reach milestones later than babies born at full term.
Milestones by 6 months
Answer from what you usually see your child do. If they haven’t had the chance to try something yet, choose “not sure”.
Talking & Understanding
Does your baby take turns making sounds with you?
Does your baby blow “raspberries” (sticks their tongue out and blows)?
Does your baby make squealing noises?
Does your baby play with low sounds, like growling or grunting?
Does your baby make sounds to show they’re happy or unhappy?
Does your baby react to changes in your tone of voice?
Learning & Thinking
Does your baby put things in their mouth to explore them?
Does your baby reach to grab a toy they want?
Does your baby try to get a toy that’s out of reach, for example by stretching, rolling or turning?
Does your baby close their lips to show they don’t want more food?
Does your baby look for a toy that’s partly hidden?
Movement
Does your baby roll from their tummy onto their back?
Does your baby push up with straight arms when on their tummy?
Does your baby lean on their hands to support themselves when sitting?
When on their tummy, does your baby lean on one forearm to reach forward with the other hand?
When lying on their back, does your baby reach for and play with their feet?
Does your baby bring their feet to their mouth?
Does your baby roll from their back onto their side?
When on their tummy with their head up, does your baby turn their head to look around?
When lying on their back, does your baby bring their legs and feet together?
Hand Skills
Does your baby grasp a toy using both hands at once?
Does your baby shake a rattle or toy?
Senses
Does your baby look at a toy while reaching for it, using their eyes and hands together?
Does your baby recognize familiar people and objects from across the room?
At any age, if your child loses skills they once had, talk to their doctor or a specialist straight away.
Also talk to a specialist if your child uses one arm or leg much less than the other, seems weak in their arms or legs, or has jerky or uncontrolled movements, spasms or shaking. In babies under 1, a strong preference for one hand is also worth checking.
If your child was born more than 3 weeks early, use their corrected age until they are 2: take the number of weeks they were born early away from their age. Babies born early may reach milestones later than babies born at full term.
Milestones by 9 months
Answer from what you usually see your child do. If they haven’t had the chance to try something yet, choose “not sure”.
Talking & Understanding
Does your baby look when you call their name?
Does your baby make lots of different sounds, like “mamamama” and “bababababa”?
Does your baby lift their arms up to be picked up?
Does your baby copy simple sounds you make?
Learning & Thinking
Does your baby look for things when they drop out of sight, like their spoon or a toy?
Does your baby bang two things together?
Does your baby explore things in different ways, like shaking, banging, throwing or dropping them?
Does your baby do something, like dropping food, and then watch to see how you react?
Movement
Does your baby get to a sitting position by themselves?
Does your baby sit without support?
Does your baby roll from their back onto their tummy?
When you hold your baby standing, do they take their weight on their legs?
Hand Skills
Does your baby move things from one hand to the other?
Does your baby use their fingers to “rake” food towards themselves?
Senses
Does your baby respond to noises and voices around them?
Does your baby notice different textures and tastes?
Everyday Skills
Does your baby help hold their bottle during feeds?
At any age, if your child loses skills they once had, talk to their doctor or a specialist straight away.
Also talk to a specialist if your child uses one arm or leg much less than the other, seems weak in their arms or legs, or has jerky or uncontrolled movements, spasms or shaking. In babies under 1, a strong preference for one hand is also worth checking.
If your child was born more than 3 weeks early, use their corrected age until they are 2: take the number of weeks they were born early away from their age. Babies born early may reach milestones later than babies born at full term.
Milestones by 1 year
Answer from what you usually see your child do. If they haven’t had the chance to try something yet, choose “not sure”.
Talking & Understanding
Does your baby wave “bye-bye”?
Does your baby call a parent “mama”, “dada” or another special name?
Does your baby understand “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)?
Does your baby babble with changing tones, so it sounds a little like talking?
Learning & Thinking
Does your baby put something in a container, like a block in a cup?
Does your baby take toys out of a container?
Does your baby look for things they see you hide, like a toy under a blanket?
Movement
Does your baby pull up to stand?
Does your baby walk while holding on to furniture?
Does your baby move around the floor in their own way, like crawling, commando crawling or bottom-shuffling?
Can your baby sit back down from standing and move in and out of sitting?
While holding on to furniture, can your baby bend down to pick up a toy from the floor?
Hand Skills
Does your baby pick things up between their thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food?
Does your baby poke at things with their index finger?
Does your baby let go of a toy on purpose, like dropping it into a container or handing it to someone?
Does your baby pull pegs out of a pegboard toy?
Does your baby bend their wrist back slightly when reaching for or holding a toy?
Senses
Does your baby explore textures with their hands and mouth?
Does your baby follow a quickly moving toy with their eyes?
Everyday Skills
Does your baby drink from a cup without a lid, as you hold it?
At any age, if your child loses skills they once had, talk to their doctor or a specialist straight away.
Also talk to a specialist if your child uses one arm or leg much less than the other, seems weak in their arms or legs, or has jerky or uncontrolled movements, spasms or shaking. In babies under 1, a strong preference for one hand is also worth checking.
If your child was born more than 3 weeks early, use their corrected age until they are 2: take the number of weeks they were born early away from their age. Babies born early may reach milestones later than babies born at full term.
Milestones by 15 months
Answer from what you usually see your child do. If they haven’t had the chance to try something yet, choose “not sure”.
Talking & Understanding
Does your child try to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada”, like “ba” for ball or “da” for dog?
Does your child look at a familiar object when you name it?
Does your child follow directions given with both a gesture and words, like giving you a toy when you hold out your hand and say “Give me the toy”?
Does your child point to ask for something or to get help?
Learning & Thinking
Does your child try to use things the right way, like a phone, cup or book?
Does your child stack at least two small objects, like blocks?
Movement
Does your child take a few steps on their own?
Does your child stand on their own for a moment without holding on?
Everyday Skills
Does your child use their fingers to feed themselves some food?
At any age, if your child loses skills they once had, talk to their doctor or a specialist straight away.
Also talk to a specialist if your child uses one arm or leg much less than the other, seems weak in their arms or legs, or has jerky or uncontrolled movements, spasms or shaking. In babies under 1, a strong preference for one hand is also worth checking.
If your child was born more than 3 weeks early, use their corrected age until they are 2: take the number of weeks they were born early away from their age. Babies born early may reach milestones later than babies born at full term.
Milestones by 18 months
Answer from what you usually see your child do. If they haven’t had the chance to try something yet, choose “not sure”.
Talking & Understanding
Does your child try to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada”?
Does your child follow one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you a toy when you say “Give it to me”?
Does your child say “no” and shake their head?
Does your child point to a body part when you ask?
Does your child pull your hand or clothes to get your attention?
Does your child try to join in nursery rhymes, for example by copying the actions?
Learning & Thinking
Does your child copy you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom?
Does your child play with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car?
Does your child know what everyday things are for, like a phone, brush or spoon?
Does your child offer a toy to their reflection in a mirror?
Movement
Does your child walk without holding on to anyone or anything?
Does your child climb on and off a sofa or chair without help?
Does your child pull a toy along while walking?
Does your child carry a large toy, or several toys, while walking?
Can your child bend or squat to pick something up from the floor without support?
Can your child start and stop while walking, even if they still fall sometimes?
When moving along furniture, does your child reach across a gap to the next piece?
Hand Skills
Does your child scribble?
Does your child build a tower of three blocks?
Does your child drop small things one at a time into a container, like a bowl or cup?
Does your child turn the thick pages of a board book (a few at a time is fine)?
Does your child stir with a spoon?
Does your child tap with a spoon using a side-to-side movement?
Does your child put six pegs into a pegboard?
Everyday Skills
Does your child drink from a cup without a lid (spilling sometimes is fine)?
Does your child feed themselves with their fingers?
Does your child try to use a spoon?
Does your child help you dress them by pushing an arm through a sleeve or lifting a foot?
At any age, if your child loses skills they once had, talk to their doctor or a specialist straight away.
Also talk to a specialist if your child uses one arm or leg much less than the other, seems weak in their arms or legs, or has jerky or uncontrolled movements, spasms or shaking. In babies under 1, a strong preference for one hand is also worth checking.
If your child was born more than 3 weeks early, use their corrected age until they are 2: take the number of weeks they were born early away from their age. Babies born early may reach milestones later than babies born at full term.
Milestones by 2 years
Answer from what you usually see your child do. If they haven’t had the chance to try something yet, choose “not sure”.
Talking & Understanding
Does your child point to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?”
Does your child say at least two words together, like “More milk”?
Does your child point to at least two body parts when you ask?
Does your child use more gestures than waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes?
Does your child follow simple instructions, like “Find your coat” or “Close the door”?
Does your child repeat words they hear in conversation?
Does your child know the names of familiar people, like looking at Grandma when you say her name?
Learning & Thinking
Does your child hold something in one hand while using the other, like holding a container and taking the lid off?
Does your child try to use switches, knobs or buttons on a toy?
Does your child play with more than one toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate?
Does your child pretend to care for a doll or soft toy, like feeding it or putting it to bed?
Does your child find a toy hidden under two or three covers?
Does your child recognize themselves in a mirror?
Movement
Does your child kick a ball?
Does your child run?
Does your child walk (not climb) up a few stairs, with or without help?
Does your child walk down a few steps while holding your hand or a handrail?
Does your child steer a toy car or push-along toy around things in the way?
Does your child walk backwards a few steps?
Hand Skills
Does your child build a tower of four or more blocks?
Does your child copy you drawing a line down the page?
Does your child copy you making a round scribble?
Does your child fit simple shapes into a shape sorter or puzzle?
Senses
Does your child show likes and dislikes for certain tastes and textures?
Everyday Skills
Does your child eat with a spoon?
Does your child pull a bow undone, like a bow in a shoelace?
At any age, if your child loses skills they once had, talk to their doctor or a specialist straight away.
Also talk to a specialist if your child uses one arm or leg much less than the other, seems weak in their arms or legs, or has jerky or uncontrolled movements, spasms or shaking. In babies under 1, a strong preference for one hand is also worth checking.
Milestones by 2½ years
Answer from what you usually see your child do. If they haven’t had the chance to try something yet, choose “not sure”.
Talking & Understanding
Does your child say about 50 words or more?
Does your child say two or more words together, with one action word, like “Doggie run”?
Does your child name things in a book when you point and ask “What is this?”
Does your child say words like “I”, “me” or “we”?
Learning & Thinking
Does your child use things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food?
Does your child link pretend actions together, like feeding a doll and then putting it to bed?
Does your child show simple problem-solving, like standing on a small stool to reach something?
Does your child follow two-step instructions, like “Put the toy down and close the door”?
Does your child know at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask “Which one is red?”
Movement
Does your child jump off the ground with both feet?
Does your child jump forwards with both feet?
Hand Skills
Does your child use their hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids?
Does your child turn book pages one at a time when you read together?
Everyday Skills
Does your child take some clothes off by themselves, like loose trousers or an open jacket?
Does your child take off their shoes, socks, hat or mittens?
Does your child find the armholes when pulling on a T-shirt?
Does your child put on a hat?
At any age, if your child loses skills they once had, talk to their doctor or a specialist straight away.
Also talk to a specialist if your child uses one arm or leg much less than the other, seems weak in their arms or legs, or has jerky or uncontrolled movements, spasms or shaking. In babies under 1, a strong preference for one hand is also worth checking.
Milestones by 3 years
Answer from what you usually see your child do. If they haven’t had the chance to try something yet, choose “not sure”.
Talking & Understanding
Does your child talk with you in a conversation with at least two back-and-forth exchanges?
Does your child ask “who”, “what”, “where” or “why” questions, like “Where is Daddy?”
Does your child say what is happening in a picture or book when asked, like “running”, “eating” or “playing”?
Does your child say their first name when asked?
Does your child tell you how old they are?
Does your child talk well enough for others to understand, most of the time?
Does your child use sentences of two to four words, or longer?
Learning & Thinking
Does your child draw a circle when you show them how?
Does your child avoid touching hot things, like a cooker, when you warn them?
Does your child play make-believe with dolls, animals and people?
Does your child do puzzles with three or four pieces?
Does your child match or sort things by shape, size or color?
Does your child understand what “two” means?
Movement
Does your child run and jump easily?
Does your child climb well, like on furniture and play equipment?
Does your child kick a ball forwards about a meter or more?
Does your child walk on tiptoes when shown?
Does your child jump down from a low step?
Does your child take a few steps along a line taped on the floor?
Does your child walk upstairs without holding a hand or handrail?
Hand Skills
Does your child string things together, like large beads or pasta?
Does your child thread three large beads, about 2.5 cm (1 inch) across, onto a string?
Does your child build a tower of more than six blocks?
Does your child build a tower of eight blocks?
Does your child copy you drawing a line across the page?
Does your child copy you drawing two lines that cross?
Does your child fold paper to make a crease?
Does your child copy a simple shape you build with three or four blocks, like a train?
Does your child thread smaller beads, about 1.3 cm (half an inch) across?
Senses
Does your child notice and react to different textures and temperatures, like cold, warm, rough or smooth?
Everyday Skills
Does your child put on some clothes by themselves, like loose trousers or a jacket?
Does your child use a fork to eat?
Does your child spear and scoop food with a fork, spilling only a little?
Does your child use a spoon well, with only a little spilling?
Does your child pull their trousers up and down?
Does your child wash and dry their hands?
Does your child brush their teeth, with your help?
At any age, if your child loses skills they once had, talk to their doctor or a specialist straight away.
Also talk to a specialist if your child uses one arm or leg much less than the other, seems weak in their arms or legs, or has jerky or uncontrolled movements, spasms or shaking. In babies under 1, a strong preference for one hand is also worth checking.
Milestones by 4 years
Answer from what you usually see your child do. If they haven’t had the chance to try something yet, choose “not sure”.
Talking & Understanding
Does your child say sentences with four or more words?
Does your child say some words from a song, story or nursery rhyme?
Does your child finish a familiar sentence or rhyme when you leave out the last word?
Does your child talk about at least one thing that happened during their day, like “I played football”?
Does your child answer simple questions, like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”
Does your child understand words like “in”, “on” and “under”?
Does your child follow instructions using “over” or “under”, like “Put your teddy under the chair”?
Does your child use words like “I”, “you”, “we” and “they”, and some plurals like “cars”?
Does your child speak clearly enough for people outside the family to understand?
Does your child say their first and last name?
Learning & Thinking
Does your child name a few colors of things?
Does your child tell you what comes next in a well-known story?
Does your child draw a person with three or more body parts?
Does your child understand “same” and “different”?
Does your child understand the idea of counting, and know a few numbers?
Does your child understand simple explanations of why things happen?
Does your child tell big things from small things?
Movement
Does your child catch a large ball most of the time?
Does your child stand on one foot for a moment (about one to two seconds)?
Does your child walk upstairs with one foot on each step? (Coming down with both feet on each step is still normal.)
Does your child pedal a tricycle?
Does your child throw a ball, at least underarm?
Does your child throw a tennis ball underarm?
Does your child climb a playground ladder and come down the slide without help?
Does your child walk along a low balance beam, stepping with alternate feet?
Hand Skills
Does your child hold a crayon or pencil between their fingers and thumb (not in a fist)?
Does your child undo some buttons?
Does your child try to cut paper with child-safe scissors (with you watching)?
Does your child copy a circle and a cross?
Does your child build a tower of 10 blocks?
Does your child thread a lace through the holes of a lacing card?
Does your child thread small beads, about 6 mm (a quarter of an inch) across?
Does your child cut a piece of paper into two pieces?
Does your child copy both an up-and-down line and a side-to-side line from a drawing?
Does your child trace along lines on paper?
Does your child use glue or paste to stick things onto paper?
Senses
Does your child recognize and name some common smells?
Everyday Skills
Does your child serve themselves food or pour water, with an adult watching?
Does your child dress and undress with only a little help?
Does your child undo the zip on their coat?
Does your child open and close a zip that is already joined, like on a bag?
Does your child undo and do up press studs (poppers)?
Does your child lift an open cup with one hand?
Does your child go to the toilet on their own?
Does your child brush their teeth themselves, before you help finish?
Does your child mash soft food with a fork?
Does your child hold a spoon with their fingers rather than in their fist?
Does your child brush or comb their hair, with you watching?
Does your child undo both large and small buttons?
At any age, if your child loses skills they once had, talk to their doctor or a specialist straight away.
Also talk to a specialist if your child uses one arm or leg much less than the other, seems weak in their arms or legs, or has jerky or uncontrolled movements, spasms or shaking. In babies under 1, a strong preference for one hand is also worth checking.
Milestones by 5 years
Answer from what you usually see your child do. If they haven’t had the chance to try something yet, choose “not sure”.
Talking & Understanding
Does your child tell a story they heard or made up, with at least two events? For example, a cat was stuck in a tree and a firefighter saved it.
Does your child answer simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it?
Does your child keep a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges?
Does your child use or recognize simple rhymes, like bat–cat or ball–tall?
Does your child speak clearly, in longer sentences joined with words like “because” or “and then”?
Does your child compare things with words like “big, bigger, biggest”?
Does your child talk about things that will happen, like “We will go to the park”?
Does your child tell you how they feel, and why?
Does your child say their name and address?
Does your child use words like “who”, “which” or “that” to add detail, like “the dog that barked”?
Learning & Thinking
Does your child count to 10?
Does your child count out 10 or more objects?
Does your child name some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them?
Does your child use words about time, like “yesterday”, “tomorrow”, “morning” or “night”?
Does your child pay attention for 5 to 10 minutes during activities, like story time or arts and crafts (screen time doesn’t count)?
Does your child write some letters in their name?
Does your child name some letters when you point to them?
Does your child copy four or five letters of the alphabet?
Is your child beginning to trace or copy capital letters, like the letters of their first name?
Does your child know that letters stand for sounds, like “b” for “ball”?
Does your child know the difference between real and pretend?
Does your child follow three instructions in a row, like “Get your shoes, bring them here and sit down”?
Does your child name at least four colors?
Movement
Does your child hop on one foot?
Does your child walk up and down stairs with one foot on each step?
Does your child catch a bounced ball most of the time?
Does your child catch a ball with their elbows slightly bent?
Does your child stand on one foot for about five seconds?
Does your child gallop, or start to skip?
Does your child do a forward roll (somersault)?
Does your child climb and swing at the playground?
Does your child throw a tennis ball overarm?
Hand Skills
Does your child button some buttons?
Does your child cut along a straight line with scissors?
Does your child hold a pencil with their thumb and two fingers?
Does your child mostly use the same hand for drawing and other tasks?
Does your child copy a square?
Does your child copy an X?
Does your child cut out a circle and a square?
Does your child draw pictures with more detail, like a person, a family or a house?
Does your child join dots to copy a simple design?
Does your child copy a slanting line?
Does your child color in pictures, even if they still go over the lines?
Does your child build and copy more detailed designs with blocks?
Does your child put together more complex jigsaw puzzles with interlocking pieces?
Senses
Does your child tell familiar tastes and smells apart?
Everyday Skills
Does your child dress and undress by themselves?
Does your child brush their teeth and comb their hair with only a little help?
Does your child wash their hands well?
Does your child join the two sides of their coat zip and zip it up?
Does your child do up all their buttons?
Does your child thread the laces into their shoes?
Does your child buckle and unbuckle a belt or shoe strap?
Does your child know their left shoe from their right?
Does your child use a napkin to wipe their mouth?
Does your child hold their spoon and fork with their fingers, not in a fist?
Does your child undo a hook fastening, like on their trousers?
At any age, if your child loses skills they once had, talk to their doctor or a specialist straight away.
Also talk to a specialist if your child uses one arm or leg much less than the other, seems weak in their arms or legs, or has jerky or uncontrolled movements, spasms or shaking. In babies under 1, a strong preference for one hand is also worth checking.
Milestones by 6 years
Answer from what you usually see your child do. If they haven’t had the chance to try something yet, choose “not sure”.
Movement
Does your child skip, swapping feet as they go?
Does your child stand on one foot for about 10 seconds?
Does your child catch a large ball with both hands, most of the time?
Does your child catch a bounced tennis ball?
Does your child kick a ball about 3.5 meters (12 feet)?
Does your child throw a tennis ball overarm to hit a target?
Does your child hop in a straight line?
Does your child hang from a bar with both hands, palms facing away from them?
Does your child walk down stairs while carrying something?
Does your child move in time to music?
Does your child keep their balance standing on something that moves, like a wobble board?
Can your child do one push-up, lifting their body off the floor?
Does your child ride a two-wheel bike without stabilizers (training wheels)?
Hand Skills
Does your child copy a triangle?
Does your child draw a star and a heart?
Does your child color neatly inside the lines?
Does your child write their first and last name?
Does your child copy or write numbers?
Does your child copy and write capital letters?
Does your child copy a design made of shapes joined together?
Does your child trace a diamond shape?
Is your child starting to trace, copy and write lowercase letters?
Does your child copy short words and short sentences?
Everyday Skills
Does your child dress without needing you to watch?
Does your child put their shoes on the correct feet?
Does your child do up shoes with Velcro straps?
Does your child tie a bow in their shoelaces?
Does your child spread butter or jam with a knife?
Does your child cut soft food with a knife?
Does your child wash and dry their face thoroughly?
Does your child blow and wipe their own nose?
Does your child wipe themselves clean after using the toilet, without help?
Does your child do up and undo hook fastenings, like on their trousers?
Does your child separate the two sides of a coat zip at the bottom?
Does your child tie the sash at the front of an apron or dress?
At any age, if your child loses skills they once had, talk to their doctor or a specialist straight away.
Also talk to a specialist if your child uses one arm or leg much less than the other, seems weak in their arms or legs, or has jerky or uncontrolled movements, spasms or shaking. In babies under 1, a strong preference for one hand is also worth checking.
From 6 years, this checklist covers movement, hand skills and everyday skills. For talking, learning or behavior, our team is happy to help.
Sources: CDC “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” milestones, NHS developmental milestones and guidance, Kids Groove and Grow therapy development charts (fine motor, gross motor, self-care and sensory integration), a developmental milestones checklist and a developmental milestones poster set.
This checklist is a guide, not a diagnosis, and does not replace a developmental screening by a professional. If someone may be in immediate danger, contact local emergency services now.