Developmental observations are discrete descriptions of behaviors or skills that are progressively acquired across development. In this database, each observation has been mapped to one or more milestones derived from four commonly used milestones checklists. While observations themselves are not associated with an age at which they should be met, the ages associated with each milestone are provided.
| Observation | Connected milestones | Expected ages |
|---|
| Uses simple gestures |
6 |
8 – 18
mos.
|
| Copies gestures (like waving bye bye) |
6 |
9 – 15
mos.
|
| Points to get or request desired object (proto-imperative pointing) |
4 |
9 – 18
mos.
|
| Finds hidden things easily |
6 |
10 – 13
mos.
|
| Assumes hands-and-knees position |
1 |
12
mos.
|
| Attempts two-cube tower |
1 |
12
mos.
|
| Begins to use objects correctly (brushing hair, drinking from cup, listening to phone) |
3 |
12 – 15
mos.
|
| Enjoys imitating people in play |
1 |
12
mos.
|
| Explores things in different ways, like shaking, banging, throwing |
3 |
12 – 14
mos.
|
| Finger feeds part of meal |
2 |
12
mos.
|
| Follows one-step command with gesture |
7 |
12 – 16
mos.
|
| Hands you a book when wants to hear a story |
3 |
12 – 15
mos.
|
| Holds crayon |
1 |
12
mos.
|
| Lets objects go voluntarily |
2 |
12
mos.
|
| Lifts box lid to find toy |
1 |
12
mos.
|
| May be fearful in some situations |
2 |
12 – 18
mos.
|
| May walk two or three steps without support |
4 |
12 – 13
mos.
|
| Pays increasing attention to speech |
1 |
12
mos.
|
| Points at object to express interest (protodeclarative pointing) |
4 |
12 – 18
mos.
|
| Prefers mother and/or regular caregiver over all others |
1 |
12
mos.
|
| Produces immature jargoning |
4 |
12 – 13
mos.
|
| Puts objects into container |
4 |
12 – 15
mos.
|
| Rattles spoon in cup |
1 |
12
mos.
|
| Recognizes names of two objects and looks when named |
4 |
12 – 13
mos.
|
| Says exclamations like "uh-oh!" |
2 |
12
mos.
|
| Scribbles after demonstration |
2 |
12
mos.
|
| Shows objects to parent to share interest |
2 |
12 – 15
mos.
|
| Shows specific preferences for certain people other than primary caregiver |
2 |
12
mos.
|
| Stands well with arms high, legs splayed |
2 |
12
mos.
|
| Takes objects out of a container |
1 |
12
mos.
|
| Takes off hat |
1 |
12
mos.
|
| Tests parental responses to own actions |
2 |
12
mos.
|
| Tries to imitate words |
2 |
12
mos.
|
| Uses posterior protection |
1 |
12
mos.
|
| Uses several gestures with vocalizing |
2 |
12 – 15
mos.
|
| Attempts to release pellet in bottle |
1 |
13
mos.
|
| Dangles ring by string |
1 |
13
mos.
|
| Drinks from cup with some spilling |
2 |
13 – 15
mos.
|
| Functional play (playing with objects or toys according to their intended functionl eg. driving car) |
1 |
13
mos.
|
| Reaches around clear barrier to obtain object |
1 |
13
mos.
|
| Shows desire to please caregiver |
1 |
13
mos.
|
| Solitary play |
1 |
13
mos.
|
| Unwraps toy in cloth |
1 |
13
mos.
|
| Uses three words |
3 |
13 – 15
mos.
|
| Adds third cube to a two-cube tower |
1 |
14
mos.
|
| Chews well |
1 |
14
mos.
|
| Dumps pellet out of bottle after demonstration |
1 |
14
mos.
|
| Falls by collapse |
1 |
14
mos.
|
| Follows one-step command without gesture |
6 |
14 – 24
mos.
|
| Imitates back and forth scribble |
1 |
14
mos.
|
| Names one object |
1 |
14
mos.
|
| Puts round peg in and out of hole in peg board |
1 |
14
mos.
|
| Puts spoon in mouth (turns over) |
1 |
14
mos.
|
| Removes socks/shoes |
1 |
14
mos.
|
| Stands without pulling up |
1 |
14
mos.
|
| Walks well |
4 |
14 – 24
mos.
|
| Asks for help activating a toy |
1 |
15
mos.
|
| Builds three-cube tower |
2 |
15 – 18
mos.
|
| Climbs onto furniture with help |
1 |
15
mos.
|
| Climbs onto furniture without help |
4 |
15 – 24
mos.
|
| Creeps or crawls up stairs |
1 |
15
mos.
|
| Fusses to be changed |
1 |
15
mos.
|
| Gets object from another room upon demand |
1 |
15
mos.
|
| Hugs adult in reciprocation |
1 |
15
mos.
|
| Interested in helping with chores |
1 |
15
mos.
|
| Listens to a story |
1 |
15
mos.
|
| Mature jargoning with real words |
1 |
15
mos.
|
| Places 10 cubes in cup |
1 |
15
mos.
|
| Places circle in single-shape puzzle or form board |
2 |
15 – 16
mos.
|
| Points to one body part |
3 |
15 – 18
mos.
|
| Points to one object of three when named |
1 |
15
mos.
|
| Recognizes that a toy requires activation |
1 |
15
mos.
|
| Runs stiff-legged |
4 |
15 – 24
mos.
|
| Scribbles spontaneously |
4 |
15 – 24
mos.
|
| Shows empathy (someone else cries, child looks sad) |
1 |
15
mos.
|
| Stoops to pick up toy |
2 |
15
mos.
|
| Turns pages in book |
1 |
15
mos.
|
| Uses spoon with some spilling |
3 |
15 – 18
mos.
|
| Walks backwards |
2 |
15 – 16
mos.
|
| Walks carrying toy |
1 |
15
mos.
|
| Fetches and carries objects within the same room |
2 |
16 – 24
mos.
|
| Finds toy observed to be hidden under layers of covers |
3 |
16 – 24
mos.
|
| Kisses by touching lips to skin |
1 |
16
mos.
|
| Periodically visually relocates caregiver |
1 |
16
mos.
|
| Picks up and drinks from cup |
3 |
16 – 18
mos.
|
| Points to one picture when named |
1 |
16
mos.
|
| Puts several round pegs in board with urging |
1 |
16
mos.
|
| Self-conscious; embarrassed when aware of people observing |
1 |
16
mos.
|
| Stands on one foot with slight support |
1 |
16
mos.
|
| Turns over container to pour out contents |
2 |
16 – 24
mos.
|
| Uses five words |
3 |
16 – 18
mos.
|
| Walks up stairs with support, putting both feet on each step |
6 |
16 – 24
mos.
|
| Begins to show shame (when does wrong) and possessiveness |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Builds four-cube tower |
3 |
18 – 24
mos.
|
| Can help undress herself |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Creeps or crawls down stairs |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Crudely imitates vertical stroke |
2 |
18
mos.
|
| Engages in pretend play with other people (eg, tea party, birthday party) |
5 |
18 – 30
mos.
|
| Explores environment alone but with parent close by |
2 |
18
mos.
|
| Frequently alternates mood (happy to sad, friendly to aggressive) |
4 |
18 – 48
mos.
|
| Imitates environmental sounds (eg, animals) |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Is spontaneous with affection |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Knows the names of favorite books |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Knows what familiar things are for; for example, telephone, brush, spoon |
2 |
18 – 24
mos.
|
| Laughs in response to others |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Likes to hand things to others as play |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Matches pairs of objects |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| May have temper tantrums |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Moves about house without adult |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Names one picture |
2 |
18 – 24
mos.
|
| Passes M-CHAT |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Points to familiar people when named |
2 |
18 – 24
mos.
|
| Points to get the attention of others |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Points to self |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Points to show someone what he wants |
2 |
18
mos.
|
| Points to three body parts |
2 |
18 – 24
mos.
|
| Points to two of three objects when named |
2 |
18 – 24
mos.
|
| Pulls toys while walking |
2 |
18 – 24
mos.
|
| Removes unzipped coat or sweater |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Replaces circle in form board after it has been turned around, usually with trial and error |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Runs well |
2 |
18 – 36
mos.
|
| Says “no” |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Seats self in small chair |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Shows interest in simple pretend play, such as feeding a doll |
4 |
18 – 24
mos.
|
| Shows spontaneous affection to familiar people |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Throws ball while standing |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Tries to help with household tasks |
2 |
18 – 33
mos.
|
| Understands “mine” |
2 |
18 – 36
mos.
|
| Uses giant words like "all done" and "stop that") |
1 |
18
mos.
|
| Uses spoon well |
3 |
18 – 60
mos.
|
| Uses ten words |
2 |
18
mos.
|
| Walks up stairs without support, putting both feet on each step |
3 |
18 – 48
mos.
|
| Walks up stairs with support, alternating feet |
4 |
18 – 36
mos.
|
| Answers requests with “no” |
1 |
20
mos.
|
| Begins to have thoughts about feelings |
1 |
20
mos.
|
| Builds five-cube tower |
2 |
20 – 24
mos.
|
| Carries large object |
1 |
20
mos.
|
| Deduces location of hidden object |
1 |
20
mos.
|
| Feeds self with spoon entire meal |
1 |
20
mos.
|
| Holophrases (“Mommy?” and points to keys, meaning: “These are Mommy’s keys.” or "Milk" with a gesture to mean "I want milk") |
1 |
20
mos.
|
| Kisses with pucker |
1 |
20
mos.
|
| Places only edibles in mouth |
1 |
20
mos.
|
| Places square in single shape puzzle or form board |
1 |
20
mos.
|
| Points to three pictures |
1 |
20
mos.
|
| Puts all round pegs into board without urging |
1 |
20
mos.
|
| Puts square peg into board |
1 |
20
mos.
|
| Squats in play |
1 |
20
mos.
|
| Two-word combinations |
1 |
20
mos.
|
| Understands difference between "her", "him", and "me" |
2 |
20 – 24
mos.
|
| Walks down stairs with support, putting both feet on each step |
5 |
20 – 24
mos.
|
| Adds one word per week |
1 |
22
mos.
|
| Asks for "more" |
1 |
22
mos.
|
| Closes box with lid |
1 |
22
mos.
|
| Completes simple 3 piece inset puzzle |
1 |
22
mos.
|
| Drinks from cup well |
1 |
22
mos.
|
| Imitates circular scribble |
2 |
22 – 24
mos.
|
| Imitates vertical line |
1 |
22
mos.
|
| Kicks ball with demonstration |
4 |
22 – 24
mos.
|
| Points to five body parts (preferred) |
3 |
22 – 24
mos.
|
| Points to four pictures when named |
2 |
22 – 24
mos.
|
| Points to four pieces of clothing when named |
3 |
22 – 24
mos.
|
| Puts shoes on partway |
1 |
22
mos.
|
| Shows defiant behavior (doing what he has been told not to) |
3 |
22 – 24
mos.
|
| Unzips zippers |
1 |
22
mos.
|
| Uses 25 words |
1 |
22
mos.
|
| Walks with one foot on walking board |
1 |
22
mos.
|
| Watches other children intensely |
1 |
22
mos.
|