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Appendix A - Developmental Milestones PDF
Appendix A - Developmental Milestones PDF
Remains in a calm,
focused state for at least 2
minutes.
Expresses contentment
or discomfort.
Coos responsively.
Localizes to familiar
voices and sounds.
By 3 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
By 6 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Demonstrates a range of
emotions that includes
happiness, excitement,
sadness, fear, distress, dis-
gust, anger, joy, interest,
and surprise.
Expresses anger, frus-
tration, or protest with
distinct cries and facial
expressions.
Recovers from distress
when comforted by
caregiver.
By 6 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Recognizes familiar
people and things at a
distance.
Demonstrates anticipa-
tion of certain routine
activities (e.g., shows ex-
citement in anticipation
of being fed).
Movement and Swats at dangling
Physical objects.
By 9 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Demonstrates preference
for caregivers.
Intentionally communi-
cates feelings to others.
Engages in back-
and-forth, two-way
communication using
vocalizations and eye
contact.
Mimics other’s simple
gestures.
By 9 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Shows understanding of
commonly used words.
By 9 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Moves independent-
ly from one place to
another (e.g., crawling,
scooting).
Turns pages of a book.
By 12 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Responds to other
people’s emotions
(e.g., displays sober, se-
rious face in response to
sadness in parent; smiles
when parent laughs).
Uses gestures to com-
municate feelings
(e.g., clapping when
excited).
Social-Relational Offers object to initiate
interaction (e.g., hands
caregiver a book to hear
a story).
Plays interactive games
(e.g., “peek-a-boo” and
“pat-a-cake”).
Looks in response to
“where” questions
(e.g., “Where is the
doggie?”).
By 12 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Imitates conventional
gestures (e.g., waving bye-
bye, clapping).
By 12 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Stands alone.
By 15 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Demonstrates cautious
or fearful behavior such
as clinging to or hiding
behind caregiver.
Social-Relational Seeks and enjoys
attention from others,
especially caregivers.
By 15 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Walks independently.
By 18 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Engages in reciprocal
displays of affection
(e.g., hugs or kisses with a
pucker).
Asserts autonomy
(e.g., “me do”).
Engages in teasing
behavior such as looking
at parent and caregiver
and doing something
“forbidden.”
Language- Uses at least 20 words
Social or word approximations
Communication such as baba for ball.
By 18 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
By 18 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
By 24 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Exhibits empathy
(e.g., offers comfort when
someone is hurt).
Names or understands
words for basic emotions.
Primarily plays in
proximity to other young
children but notices and
imitates other young
children’s play more
frequently.
Responds to being cor-
rected or praised.
Names actions.
By 24 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
By 24 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Kicks a ball.
Runs.
Draws lines.
By 36 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Expresses feelings
through pretend play and
drama.
Engages in associative
play with peers (i.e., in-
fants/young children
participate in similar
activities without formal
organization but with
some interaction).
Shares accomplishments
with others.
By 36 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Understands words
such as “in,” “on,” and
“under.”
By 36 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Understands “bigger”
and “smaller.”
Understands concept of
“two.”
Runs fluidly.
By 36 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
By 48 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Describes events or
things using four or more
sentences at a time.
By 48 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Speech is generally
understood by nonfamily
members.
Counts to five.
Remembers parts of a
story.
Engages in make-believe
play with capacity to
build and elaborate on
play themes.
Connects actions and
emotions.
By 48 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Elaborates on thematic
make-believe play.
By 60 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Shows awareness of
and interest in personal
success.
Participates in group
activities that require as-
suming roles (e.g., Follow
the Leader).
Modulates or mod-
ifies voice correctly
depending on situation
or listener (e.g., outside
voice, to adult, other
infant/young child, or
younger child).
Language- Makes all speech sounds.
Social May make mistakes on
Communication more difficult sounds
such as ch, sh, th, l, v, and
z (linguistically variable).
Understands words
denoting order such as
“first,” “second,” “third,”
“next,” and “last.”
Uses “today,” “yester-
day,” “tomorrow,” “last
week,” and “before”
correctly.
Discriminates rhyming
and nonrhyming words.
By 60 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Acknowledges own
mistakes or misbehaviors
and can apologize.
Distinguishes fantasy
from reality most of the
time.
By 60 months old Rating key: 1 = Fully present; 2 = Inconsistently present or emerging; 3 = Absent.
Swings independently on
a swing.