Occupational Developmental
Occupational Developmental Checklist
Developmental milestone charts don’t always recognize every child’s unique journey. Your child may exhibit one or more signs of developmental delays listed below, but that does not necessarily mean they are off-track. However, occupational therapy could be a valuable tool to support your child’s continued growth & development.
Newborn – 2 Months
Enjoys tummy time and begins to establish head control
Moves head and neck freely
Does not show a preference for head position, tilt, or movements of extremities.
Has a strong grasp; Opens and closes hands
Brings hands mouth
Stretches out arms and hands open
Turns head to look at outstretched hand
3 – 5 Months
Uses both sides of body equally
Develops ability to roll
Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy
Establishes eye contact
Holds a toy when placed in hand
Reaches with arms to swat at toys
Brings hands to mouth consistently
6-9 Months
Sits supported or leaning on hands and moves to sitting independently
Demonstrates the ability to reach for and manipulate objects in midline
Plays using purposeful arm movements (Peek-A-Boo; So Big!)
Moves objects between hands
Index finger use to “poke”
Raking cereal with fingers to grasp
Purposeful release of objects into containers
10 – 12 Months
Able to maintain weight on arms with hands open and elbows extended
Uses both sides of body equally
Grasps small objects with thumb and 1 or 2 fingers
Imitates frequently used items (ex. brushing hair, using a toothbrush)
Uses hands together to manipulate toys (push, pull, squeeze and rotate)
Clapping when prompted
Imitates simple actions
2 – 3 Years
Plays beside other children
Pushes, winds, slides to activate toys
Can shift attention with some adult help
Screws/unscrews lids
Imitates shapes: vertical, horizontal lines, and circle
Begins to hold crayon with thumb and fingers
Stacks 6-8 block tower
Turns single pages in book
3-4 Years
Plays with other children
Engages in themed play
Will give full attention to specific activity
Can focus and refocus their attention by themselves.
Strings small beads
Snaps clothing, zips with assistance, begins to fasten large buttons
Holds pencil with thumb and fingers
Stack 9-10 block tower
Uses scissor to cut across a piece of paper
4 – 5 Years
Takes turns in play
Participates in imaginative play
Can focus attention on what is being said without stopping activity
Buttons clothes and completes zippers
Imitates shapes: diagonal lines, square, triangle.
Draws a 3 part person
Uses scissors to cut simple shapes
5 – 6 Years
Engages in well-organized, cooperative play
Demonstrates sustained attention
Shuts out unrelated information to concentrate on a specific activity
Plays with Legos, Tinker toys, or other building toys to form complex designs.
Has an established hand dominance
Connects dots with straight lines
Prints first name from memory
Writes letters and numbers
Draws an 6 part person
Uses scissors to cut complex shapes