Sensational Kids Therapy

Pediatric Developmental MilestonesAn abbreviated guide to typical development

The following tables are offered to help parents identify where their child is functioning along the continuum of typical development. Because occupational and physical therapists focus on the whole child, developmental markers are provided for the categories of gross motor, fine/visual motor, self-help, and play. If your child does not appear to be acheiving the milestones for his/her age, feel free to reach out to us to discuss whether an evaluation would be appropriate.

By Age 2	Play Skills	Gross Motor Skills	Fine Motor/Visual Motor Skills	Self-Help Skills
	Copies others, especially adults and older children Parallel play (plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children) Points to things or pictures when they are named Follows simple instructions (up to 2 steps)	Stands on tiptoe Kicks a ball forward with either foot Climbs onto and down from furniture without help Walks up and down stairs holding on Throws ball overhand Jumps with both feet leaving floor at the same time	Might use one hand more than the other Builds towers of 4 or more blocks Imitates a vertical line Threads large bead on shoelace Complete simple shape puzzle	Drinks from glass or cup without much spilling Gets spoon in mouth right side up without much spilling Takes off pants, socks, and shoes Assists with dressing Drinks with straw
By Age 3	Play Skills	Gross Motor Skills	Fine Motor/Visual Motor Skills	Self-Help Skills
Can perform the skills in the previous age group in addition to the following...	Identifies body parts Can sort shapes and colors Plays simple make-believe games Copies others	Runs easily Pedals a tricycle (3-wheel bike) Walks up stairs, one foot on each step Catches a playground ball Jumps forward with both feet together	Draws a single circle Screws/unscrews jar lid Holds an object with one hand while using the other Snips with scissors Grasps pencil with thumb and fingers instead of fist Builds 9-block tower	Uses spoon and fork to self-feed Dresses and undresses with assistance for fasteners Unzips coat Washes hands with minimal assistance
By Age 4	Play Skills	Gross Motor Skills	Fine Motor/Visual Motor Skills	Self-Help Skills
Can perform the skills in the previous age group in addition to the following...	Engages in cooperative play with other children	Walks on a line Balances on 1 foot for 5-10 seconds Hops on 1 foot Alternates feet walking down the stairs Gallops Catches a bounced playground ball	Consistent hand preference Draws a person with 4-5 different body parts Draws a tower with more than 9 blocks Traces a line Cuts paper in half	Dresses and undresses without much help Buttons and unbuttons large buttons Puts on shoes independently
By Age 5	Play Skills	Gross Motor Skills	Fine Motor/Visual Motor Skills	Self-Help Skills
Can perform the skills in the previous age group in addition to the following...		Skips Uses climbing equipment on the playground Somersaults Bounces and catches a small ball Plays hopscotch Hangs from the monkey bars Pumps a swing	Cuts out simple shapes Copies a cross and square Colors with regard to boundaries Uses a mature grasp Attempts to form letters	Can snap/unsnap Buttons and unbuttons small buttons Brushes teeth independently
School Age	Play Skills	Gross Motor Skills	Fine Motor/Visual Motor Skills	Self-Help Skills
Can perform the skills in the previous age group in addition to the following...		Jumping Jacks Rides a bike without training wheels Uses a scooter proficiently Can swing across the monkey bars Participates in age-appropriate group sports activities Can perform 5 or more sit-ups	Manipulates classroom tools effectively Writes name without a model Writes upper-case and lower-case letters with regards to the lines Can complete a multiple-step classroom project	Ties shoes Can prepare a simple snack Opens food packages

Developmental Milestones

Pediatric Developmental MilestonesAn abbreviated guide to typical development

Initiating Evaluation