Baseline Developmental Checklist

An important age span for a child's motor development is during the first three to six years of life. Increasing evidence suggests that there are “critical periods” for development in infants and young kids. This means that the developing brain is best able to absorb and learn new skills during this period. The ability to learn may be more difficult, and perhaps less efficient or effective, if these critical periods are allowed to pass without early exposure. 

Children vary in their development of motor skills, however, there is a natural progression or “timetable” for mastery of these skills. "Milestones" are identifiable skills that serve as a guide to normal development. The following information includes developmental milestones from age 2.5 through 6 years. If you are looking for information on children under 2.5 or over 6 please contact Spot kids OT directly.

2 years – 2 ½ years

•  placing 1 foot on each step, walks up 4 steps

•  draws vertical line

• runs; walks sideways and backwards

• initiates overhand throw/underhand throw

• removes screw on lid from bottle

• stacks 8  to 10 blocks

• strings 2 to 4 large beads on shoelace

• identifies 2 body parts from picture

2 ½ years – 3 years

• washes and dries hands independently

• cuts with small scissors

• plays pretend games

• catches soft objects with both hands

• can jump down from 1 foot heights

• can string large beads on a shoelace or string

3 years - 3 ½ years

• understands concepts such as ‘behind,’ & ‘next to’

• runs with arms moving back and forth

• cuts paper into 2 pieces

• traces horizontal line

• unbuttons (only) using large buttons

• undresses self with some help

• toilet trained

• rides a tricycle using pedals

• draws or copies a complete circle

3 ½ years – 4 years

• hops forward on one foot, then the other foot

• dresses/undresses with some help

• hops forward on one foot, then the other foot

• buttons and unbuttons large buttons

• carries out a series of 3 directions.

• paints with a crayon/brush covering a whole page

• learning to take turns in games

• plays make-believe games with other children.

• cuts across and down paper with scissors

4 years - 5 ½ years

• completes forward roll accurately

• touches each finger to thumb

• draws a man with head and legs

• compares different textures like: soft, smooth

• names heavier of two objects in hands

• hops on one foot

• able to walk the full length of a balance beam

• participates and enjoys group interaction

• copies a cross and a diagonal lines from a visual model

• dresses/undresses except for laces, back buttons,   some zippers, & snaps.

• eats with fork and spoon.

5 ½ years - 6 years

• with hands on hips, jumps back and forth across line   

• accurately imitates arm positions/copies "Simon Says" postures

• draws six part unmistakable man with body

• points front, back, near, up, down, with eyes closed

• aware of right and left (even if only correctly identifies half of the times asked)

• in pictures identifies object that is beside, between, in middle, in front of

• bounces and catches small ball

• folds paper in half twice with edges parallel

• draws triangle from copy

• runs and skips