How We Help

Motor and Self-Help Checklists

Developmental milestones are one way of seeing if your child’s development matches that of typically developing peers.

If your child is not showing the following motor and self-help skills, a consultation is recommended with a licensed occupational therapist who can provide you with suggestions which may prevent a problem from developing and determine if a screening test or in-depth diagnostic testing is needed.

Please refer to our Glossary of Terms for an explanation of the terms used throughout the milestone checklists.

Fine Motor

  • Tries to pick up tiny objects
  • Manipulates toy actively with wrist movements
  • Reaches and grasps an object with an extended elbow
  • Holds two objects at one time in one hand
  • Releases object above surface into large container

Gross Motor

  • Rolls from back to stomach
  • Lifts head while lying on his or her back
  • Holds weight on one hand while on stomach
  • Sits independently for long periods of time, sometimes uses hands to steady self
  • Uses arms and hands to catch self when falling over while seated
  • Creeps for mobility
  • Stands at furniture and begins to cruise sideways

Feeding Skills

  • Mouths and gums solid foods
  • Feeds self crackers
  • Holds own bottle
  • Opens mouth when spoon is presented
  • Drinks from cup held by an adult

Fine Motor

  • Bangs two cubes held in hands
  • Pokes with index finger
  • Uses a neat pincer grasp to pick up objects
  • Releases objects into a small container with precision
  • Tries to imitate a scribble

Gross Motor

  • Stands without support for a few seconds
  • Walks with both hands held
  • Pivots in sitting – twists to pick up objects

Feeding Skills

  • Bites through a soft cookie
  • Stirs in imitation
  • Holds cup and drinks with some spillage

Fine Motor

  • Builds tower using three cubes
  • Places one round peg in pegboard
  • After a demonstration, turns over a small container to obtain objects inside
  • Scribbles spontaneously
  • Uses both hands in midline, one holds the other manipulates

Gross Motor

  • Walks without support
  • Bends over and looks through legs
  • Throws ball forward
  • Pulls toy behind while walking
  • Carries large toy while walking

Feeding Skills

  • Brings filled spoon to mouth
  • Scoops food

Dressing Skills

  • Indicates discomfort over soiled pants verbally or by gestures
  • Pulls socks off
  • Removes hat
  • Places hat on head

Fine Motor

  • Imitates circular scribble and horizontal stroke
  • Builds tower using 6 cubes
  • Holds crayon with thumb and forefinger
  • Strings 3 one inch beads
  • Snips with scissors

Gross Motor

  • Walks up stairs holding rail – both feet on one step
  • Picks up toy from floor without falling
  • Moves on “ride toys” without pedals
  • Kicks ball forward

Feeding Skills

  • Gives up bottle
  • Bites through a variety of food thicknesses
  • Brings spoon or fork to mouth with the palm facing up
  • Holds small cup in one hand

Dressing Skills

  • Is beginning to pull pants down with assistance
  • Is beginning to unbutton large buttons
  • Anticipates need to eliminate – uses same word for both functions

Fine Motor

  • Puts tiny objects in small container
  • Folds paper in half

Gross Motor

  • Walks downstairs alone, both feet on one step
  • Imitates standing on one foot
  • Walks on tip toes a few steps
  • Jumps a distance of eight to fourteen inches
  • Jumps backwards
  • Walks backwards

Feeding Skills

  • Pours from a small cup

Dressing Skills

  • Undresses with assistance
  • Pulls pants up
  • Dresses with assistance

Fine Motor

  • Builds tower with 9 cubes
  • Copies a circle, vertical, and horizontal line
  • Turns book pages one at a time
  • Holds a pencil in writing position
  • Opens rotating door handles

Gross Motor

  • Pedals a tricycle
  • Walks down stairs with alternating feet
  • Climbs jungle gyms and ladders
  • Catches an 8-inch ball

Feeding Skills

  • Stabs food with a fork
  • Holds spoon in fingers with palm up
  • Uses napkin
  • Serves self at table with little spilling

Dressing Skills

  • Uses toilet with assistance – has daytime control
  • Buttons large buttons
  • Puts on socks, may have difficulty turning the heel
  • Zips and unzips jackets (unable to separate or insert shank)
  • Puts shoes on, although may be on wrong feet

Fine Motor

  • Copies square shapes
  • Draws a person with two to four body parts
  • Cuts on a line
  • Begins to copy some capital letters

Gross Motor

  • Hops and stands on one foot up to 5 seconds
  • Kicks ball forward
  • Throws ball overhand
  • Catches a bounced ball

Dressing Skills

  • Puts on socks with heel placement
  • Puts shoes on with little assistance
  • Buckles shoes and belts

Fine Motor

  • Copies a triangle and other geometric patterns
  • Prints some letters
  • Cuts out a circle on a line

Gross Motor

  • Does somersaults
  • Skips
  • Swings

Dressing Skills

  • Puts shirt on correctly
  • Puts belt in loop
  • Unties a tie on an apron (behind self)

Fine Motor

  • Draws a diamond
  • Cuts with a knife
  • Holds writing utensil with three fingers with movement in the fingers

Gross Motor

  • Knows right from left
  • Can throw and catch a ball
  • Jumps rope

Dressing Skills

  • Buttons own buttons
  • Dresses and undresses without assistance
  • Ties own shoes

Make an Appointment

We know your time is valuable! Complete the appropriate form below and a member of our office staff will speak with you within 24 hours, Monday-Friday, to set up an appointment.

We look forward to serving you!

The key to effective treatment is an early response.
return to top