It’s Important to Remember:

Be sure to adjust for prematurity.

Missing one or two abilities should not cause alarm, as every child develops differently. However, if they are missing multiple abilities, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider.

Use our checklists to track your baby’s behavior and discuss any concerns with your healthcare professional.

Play and Social Skills

Ability

Key Abilities

  • Is interested in, aware of, and able to maintain eye contact with others
  • Enjoys playing in small groups with children of the same age
  • Is able to initiate and play with another child of the same age
  • Turns head in response to name being called
  • Interested in exploring varied environments, such as new playground or friend’s house
  • Is able to play in new social situations
  • Enjoys playing with variety of toys intended for children of the same age
  • Is aware of risky and unsafe environments and behavior
  • Participates in crafts/activities that involve wet textures, such as glue
  • Enjoys rough but safe play with peers, siblings, or parents
  • Enjoys swinging on playground swings
  • Enjoys playing with new toys
  • Is able to locate objects you are pointing to
  • Enjoys sitting to look at or listen to a book
  • Usually does not bring non-food objects to mouth
  • Is able to play with one toy or theme for 15 minute periods of time

Coordination

Ability

Key Abilities

  • Enjoys and seeks out various ways to move and play
  • Has adequate endurance and strength to play with peers
  • Coordinates movements needed to play and explore
  • Usually walks with heel toe pattern and not primarily on toes
  • Can maintain balance to catch ball or when gently bumped by peers
  • Is able to walk and maintain balance over uneven surfaces
  • Walks through new room without bumping into objects or people
  • Only leans on furniture, walls or people and sits slumped over when tired
  • Is able to throw and attempt to catch ball without losing balance
  • Coordinates both hands to play, such as swinging a bat or opening a container
  • Coordinates hand and finger movement needed to participate in table top games and activities
  • Is able to color and begin to imitate shapes
  • Uses appropriate force when playing with peers or pets or when holding objects
  • Is able to maintain good sitting posture needed to sit in chair

Daily Activities

Ability

Key Abilities

  • Is able to use utensils to pick up pieces of food
  • Has an established sleep schedule
  • Is usually able to self calm to fall asleep
  • Is able to tolerate and wear textures of new and varied articles of clothes
  • Is able to take appropriate bites of food, does not always stuff mouth
  • Is able to tolerate haircuts and nail cutting without crying
  • Is able to adapt to changes in routine
  • Can take bath or shower, although preference may be present
  • Eats a diet rich in various foods, temperatures, and textures
  • Can drink from a cup and straw without dribbling
  • Need for crashing, bumping and moving fast does not interfere with participation in activities and family life
  • Is able to complete everyday tasks that have multiple steps, such as dressing
  • Frequently wakes up rested and ready for a new day

Self-Expression

Ability

Key Abilities

  • Is generally happy when not hungry or tired
  • Has grown accustomed to everyday sounds and is usually not startled by them
  • Has an established and reliable sleeping schedule
  • Is able to enjoy a wide variety of touch, noises, and smells
  • Cries and notices when hurt
  • Is able to calm self down after upsetting event
  • Is able to transition to new environment or activity
  • Is able to pay attention and is not distracted by sounds not noticed by others
  • Is able to cope with an unexpected change
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