Is my child's development age-appropriate?

Following are some basic guidelines that I developed to give you typically developing skills, red flags, and play ideas for each age group from birth to 3 years old.  Please keep in mind, however, that each child will develop in his or her own unique way.  If there is a skill or two that your child is not hitting within the time frame referenced, please know that he or she may still be typically developing.  These are just general guidelines to give you an idea of where you child should be at any given time.  If you feel like your child is significantly behind in any area of development or you begin to notice some of the red flags listed, please discuss your concerns with your pediatrician and call your county to request an evaluation for your child.

Birth - 3 Months

Emerging Skills

• Tummy time

  • Lift head from floor

  • Prop up on arms from belly

• Move and lift both arms and legs from floor when on back or belly

• Bring both hands to mouth

• Grasp rattle or small toy

• Hold head more steady when held upright

Red Flags

• Preference for tilting or rotating head to one side

• Flat spots on back or side of head

• Head not getting more steady over time when held

Play Ideas

• Play mat or floor time with dangling toys or mirrors

• Small rattles or balls

• Limit use of swings, bouncy seats, car seats and any equipment that keeps the baby in the same position for prolonged periods

• Avoid baby carriers where baby’s legs hang straight down.  Carriers and baby backpacks are good to use because they keep baby upright, keep pressure off of head, and allow baby to see more, but look for one where hips are slightly abducted (pointed outward) because it is better for hip development.

3 - 6 Months

Emerging Skills

• Push up on extended arms from belly and may try to pull knees under body

• Roll from belly to back and back to belly to the right and to the left

• Play with feet and bring them to mouth

• Begin to sit with support or prop themself up a little on arms in sitting

• Reach farther for toys and manipulate them more

Red Flags

• Strong preference for one hand or one side of the body 

• Tightly clenching hands at all times

• Arching back in certain positions

Play Ideas

• Play in a variety of positions (belly, backs, both sides, and sitting) to develop different muscle groups and balance strategies

• Rattles, mirrors, balls, and musical toys

• Soft books

• Mirrors and toys on floor

• Lots of floor time

• Continue to limit time in baby equipment

6 - 9 Months

Emerging Skills

• Sit independently 

  • Without using arms to prop

  • Pivot around to reach for toys

  • Transition in and out of sitting safely

• Rock on hands and knees and starting to crawl

• Take steps with support (held at trunk or with both hands held)

• More control holding and releasing objects and transferring them between hands

• Bang toys together

Red Flags

• Scooting on back or butt rather than crawling

• Not bearing any weight on feet

• Not moving between positions smoothly

• W-sitting

Play Ideas

• Put pillows or blankets on the floor for them to crawl over

• Offer your hands to help them take supported steps often

• Place toys throughout room to encourage movement

• Rolling ball around

• Activity cube

9 - 12 Months

Emerging Skills

• Crawl independently on hands and knees

• Pull to stand at low furniture

• Cruise (side-step) along furniture

• Walk with less support or begin to take independent steps

Red Flags

• Frequently standing on tip toes

• Difficulty grasping and manipulating toys or inability to bring hands to midline

• W-sitting

Play Ideas

• Push toys (adult may need to keep a hand on it at first to keep it from going too fast)

• Standing play tables with lights and music

• Place toys on couches, floor, and around room to encourage pulling to stand, cruising, and lowering back down to floor

• Tunnel

12 - 18 Months

Emerging Skills

• Walk independently

• Stand up from middle of floor 

• Squat to play with toys

• Climb on furniture and stairs

• Use both hands to play

• Point to objects to identify them

• Begin to scribble with crayon

Red Flags

• Continues to fall or loses balance frequently (not improving over time)

• Walks on toes frequently

• W-sitting

Play Ideas

• Ball pit

• Riding toy

• Water table

• Stacking cups or building blocks

• Movement songs

• Board books

18 - 24 Months

Emerging Skills

• Run

• Go up and down stairs with 2 feet on each step and using railing

• Kick a ball

• Scoot forward on riding toy

• Throw ball overhead

• Jump in place

• Begin to color some

• Turn pages of board book

• Stack a few blocks

Red Flags

• Frequent falls or running into things

• Toe walking frequently

• Fearful of swings or slides

• W-sitting

Play Ideas

• Ball activities

• Riding toys

• Water play

• Bubbles

• Coloring/painting

• Small playground equipment

• Board books

2 - 3 Years

Emerging Skills

• Begin to balance on one leg

• Throw ball at a target

• Pedal tricycle

• Gallop

• String beads

Red Flags

• Difficulty with jumping

• Unable to perform alternating movements (ie- pedaling)

• Difficulty tolerating sensory input (sounds, movement, messy play, etc)

• Falls or runs into objects frequently

• Toe walking or feet rotating too far inward or outward

• Difficulty using both hands together for play

Play Ideas

• Play dough

• Balls

• Water play

• Movement songs

• Coloring

• Chasing games

• Stickers

• Tricycle