Typical Development

Possible
Developmental Problems

• pushes up on arms
• holds head up
• looks at eyes and face of person talking
• babbles and coos when talked to

By Three Months

• stiff legs
• pushes back with head
• constantly fisted hand and stiff leg on one side
• does not visually recognize parent
• no social smile in response to stimulation

• sits with support
• reaches directly for objects with both hands
• holds head up
• distinguishes strangers from family and friends
• smiles and vocalizes to a mirror image
• mouths toys

By Six Months

• moves one side of the body less than the other side
• does not look at objects while handling them
• difficult to bend hips to sit
• does not look for dropped toys

• easily transfers objects from hand to hand
• sits without support
• arms free to grasp and reach
• responds to simple requests with gestures
• begins combining syllables (ba, ba, ba)
• eats mashed table food

By Eight Months

• uses one hand better than the other
• cannot sit without support
• unable to stand with support
• does not vocalize single syllables
• does not use upper lip to clean spoon when feeding

• pulls to stand
• responds to simple verbal instructions
• bites through a soft cookie, drinks from a cup
• uses "mama" and "dada" appropriately
• babbles with inflection as if making sentences

By Twelve Months

• unable to move from one place to another by creeping
• cannot pick up small objects
• constantly stands on tiptoes
• cannot use one to three words appropriately
• unable to bring hands together to clap or bang toys
• does not eat coarsely chopped table food

• uses fingers to help turn pages of a book
• independent walking or standing
• uses jargon, points and vocalizes to indicate wants

By Fifteen Months

• uses only the right or left hand to play with toys
• unable to take steps alone
• difficulty releasing objects
• does not imitate specific sounds upon request