Physical Development Checklist for Early Childhood

Very few parents can wait for their child's first firsts: their first smile, first time sitting up, rolling over, crawling, walking and running. There are so many expectations parents have for their children in their first years of life for their physical development. Children typically develop within the same general timeframe but what is that timeframe?

Impacting Development

• Each child develops at his own pace; even siblings can vary in their "first" schedules and still be considered in the normal range of development. The child's development can be affected by any genetic disorders, birth defects, developmental disabilities, trauma from birth, premature birth, low birth weight, birth order, age of parents and environmental factors.

  Any milestone can happen before the age listed or after the age. If the child appears to be unable to reach a physical milestone and has not gone on to reach other physical milestones, discuss this with the pediatrician at your next visit. The pediatrician can determine if the child is on his own timetable or if there is another cause for the delays.

Birth to Twelve Months

• By three months, an infant lying on his stomach can lift his head.

  By four months, an infant is grasping a rattle and bringing his hands together.

  By five months, an infant is able to begin rolling over to one side.

  By six months, an infant is able to be pulled into a sitting position while keeping his head in line with his body.

  By seven months, an infant is able to roll in both directions and more than once.

  By eight months, an infant can sit upright without being supported and pull himself upright into a sitting position when on his stomach.

  An infant can also pass a toy, cracker or other object from one hand to the other hand and eat a cracker on his own.

  By ten months, an infant is able to pull himself to a standing position and stand up if holding onto furniture, other objects or holding the hands of another person.

  By eleven months, an infant is able to pick up little items like raisins or cereal pieces.

  By twelve months, an infant begins to walk while holding into furniture, objects or someone's hands. At this age, the infant moves into the "toddler" stage.

Twelve to Twenty Four Months

• During the next twelve months, the toddler is going to be busy exploring the world that is now open to him with his ability to walk.

  A toddler will spend time watching what others are doing around him and will begin to "copy" what he sees.

  A toddler will build blocks with an older person, copying the design and building a tall structure of six or more blocks.

  A toddler making similar designs on paper with a crayon, holds the crayon with his whole hand, can copy straight lines in either direction, can string large beads, is able to use a spoon when eating and begins to show a preference for a particular hand.

  A toddler is able to walk and run, pull toys with strings, climb on furniture and stairs and can also get back down. A toddler can also help dress or undress himself.

Three Years Old

• A toddler is now moving on to becoming a "preschooler." A toddler is now able to do more complex tasks.

  A preschooler is able to jump using both feet, kick a ball, and ride on toys that move with foot power and on tricycles. A preschooler can stand on one foot for several seconds. A preschooler can swing on swings and begin to keep the swings going for a brief period of time.

  A preschooler is able to improve on skills that were beginning in the toddler stage. Block building is now up to 9-11 blocks tall, crayons are held with three fingers instead of the whole hand, circles drawn that have been copied from one on the paper, a cross or "X" can be copied by a preschooler and he can draw a person out of a line and head. Scissor skills are beginning and a spoon and fork are used without a large mess being made at mealtime.