MOVEMENT
- Pushes up on extended arms (5 mos.)
- Pulls to sitting with no head lag (5 mos.)
- Sits with support of his hands (5-6 mos.)
- Sits unsupported for short periods (6-8 mos.)
- Supports whole weight on legs (6-7 mos.)
- Grasps feet (6 mos.)
- Transfers object from hand to hand (6-7 mos.)
- Uses raking grasp (not pincer) (6 mos.)
VISUAL
- Looks for toy beyond tracking range (5-6 mos.)
- Tracks moving objects with ease (4-7 mos.)
- Grasps objects dangling in front of him (5-6 mos.)
- Looks for fallen toys (5-7 mos.)
LANGUAGE
- Distinguishes emotions by tone of voice (4-7 mos.)
- Responds to sound by making sounds (4-6 mos.)
- Uses voice to express joy and displeasure (4-6 mos.)
- Syllable repetition begins (5-7 mos.)
COGNITIVE
- Finds partially hidden objects (6-7 mos.)
- Explores with hands and mouth (4-7 mos.)
- Struggles to get objects that are out of reach (5-7 mos.)
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL
- Enjoys social play (4-7 mos.)
- Interested in mirror images (5-7 mos.)
- Responds to other people’s expression of emotion (4-7 mos.)
DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAGS (4 TO 7 MONTHS)
- Seems very stiff, tight muscles
- Seems very floppy, like a rag doll
- Head still flops back when body is pulled to sitting position (by 5months still exhibits head lag)
- Shows no affection for the person who cares for them
- Doesn’t seem to enjoy being around people
- One or both eyes consistently turn in or out
- Persistent tearing, eye drainage, or sensitivity to light
- Does not respond to sounds around them
- Has difficulty getting objects to mouth
- Does not turn head to locate sounds by 4 months
- Doesn’t roll over (stomach to back) by 6 months
- Cannot sit with help by 6 months (not by themselves)
- Does not laugh or make squealing sounds by 5 months
- Does not actively reach for objects by 6 months
- Does not follow objects with both eyes
- Does not bear some weight on legs by 5 months
Downloadable Version
Click the icon below to download a PDF version of this checklist.