IDOB

Developmental Observations

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.

ObservationConnected milestonesExpected ages
Smiles sponatneously 3 1 – 4 mos.
Turns head toward direction of sound 4 1 – 4 mos.
Holds hands together 2 2 – 5 mos.
Holds head steady, unsupported 2 2 – 4 mos.
Recognize people at distance 2 2 – 4 mos.
Retains rattle if placed in hand 2 2 – 4 mos.
Smiles at people 3 2 – 4 mos.
Sometimes cries in different ways to show hunger, pain, or being tired 2 2 – 4 mos.
Supports upper body with arms when lying on stomach 4 2 – 4 mos.
Babbles 2 3 – 4 mos.
Bats at objects 3 3 – 4 mos.
Becomes more expressive with face and body 1 3 mos.
Brings hands to mouth 3 3 – 4 mos.
Chuckles 1 3 mos.
Copies some facial expressions 2 3 – 4 mos.
Copies some movements 2 3 – 4 mos.
Copies sounds 3 3 – 9 mos.
Expression of disgust at sour taste 1 3 mos.
Follows objects in circle in supine position 1 3 mos.
Follows objects moving side to side 2 3 – 4 mos.
Grasps hand toy 4 3 – 5 mos.
Inspects fingers 1 3 mos.
Likes to play with people 2 3 – 4 mos.
Pushes down on legs when feet are on a hard surface 2 3 – 4 mos.
Reaches for face 1 3 mos.
Recognizes familiar objects at a distance 2 3 – 4 mos.
Regards speaker 1 3 mos.
Regards toys 1 3 mos.
Responds to sounds by making sounds 3 3 – 7 mos.
Rolls to side 2 3 – 4 mos.
Shakes rattle 3 3 – 4 mos.
Smiles spontaneously at pleasurable sound 2 3 – 4 mos.
Stretches legs out and kicks when lying on stomach or back 1 3 mos.
Uses hand and eyes together; eg. reaches for object 5 3 – 5 mos.
Visually follows person who is moving across a room 1 3 mos.
Watches faces closely 2 3 – 4 mos.
Babbles with expression/emotion 2 4 mos.
Briefly holds onto breast or bottle 1 4 mos.
Clutches at clothes 1 4 mos.
Consistently cries in different ways to show hunger, pain, or being tired 2 4 mos.
Hands held predominately open 1 4 mos.
Has well developed self-consolation skills (Can fully calm himself) 1 4 mos.
Knows familiar faces versus strangers 3 4 – 6 mos.
Laughs out loud 1 4 mos.
Makes sounds to show joy and displeasure 4 4 – 7 mos.
Mouths objects 2 4 – 6 mos.
No head lag when pulled to sit 2 4 mos.
Nonverbally communicates different emotions - happy, upset, sad 2 4 – 8 mos.
Persists at reaching for object 2 4 – 5 mos.
Props on wrists 1 4 mos.
Pushes chest up to elbows 1 4 mos.
Responds to affection 2 4 mos.
Rolls front to back 4 4 – 7 mos.
Sits if trunk is supported 1 4 mos.
Smiles spontaneously at pleasurable sight 1 4 mos.
Stops crying at parent voice 1 4 mos.
Stops crying to soothing voice 1 4 mos.
Takes turns when babbling 4 4 – 6 mos.
Vocalizes when alone 1 4 mos.
Begins to respond to name 4 5 – 7 mos.
Forms attachment relationship to caregiver 1 5 mos.
Makes many different sounds (eg. razzes, squeals) 2 5 mos.
Mouths pureed food 1 5 mos.
Moves hands in front of body to prevent falling forward while sitting 1 5 mos.
Palmar grasps cube 1 5 mos.
Recognizes non-primary caregiver visually 1 5 mos.
Regards small object such as pellet or small cracker 1 5 mos.
Rolls back to front 3 5 – 7 mos.
Sits with arms supporting trunk 2 5 – 7 mos.
Sits with pelvic support 1 5 mos.
Transfers objects hand-mouth-hand 1 5 mos.
Turns head to look for dropped spoon 1 5 mos.