Development milestones ( Red flags and delay)
Child Development
Child Development refers to the process through which children grow and change over time,
starting from birth through adolescence. It involves the continuous and predictable patterns of
physical growth, brain and nervous system maturation, and the development of skills in
different areas of functioning.
Development Milestones
Functional Gross motor
Sitting (without support): 6–8 months
Crawling: 7–9 months
Standing (alone): 12 months
Cruising along furniture: 10–12 months
Walking (independently): 12–14 months
Running: 18–24 months
Jumping: 24–30 months
Ball skills: 18–24 months
Transitional Movements
Rolling (prone to supine): 4–6 months
Pivot prone: 5–6 months
Supine to sit: 8–10 months
Prone to sit: 8–10 months
Sit to stand: 12–15 months
Sit to side lying: 12–15 months
Half-knee to stand: 11–12 months
Stand to sit: 12 to 15 months
Development Red Flags (1 -3 months)
Doesn't seem to respond to loud noises
Doesn't follow moving objects with eyes by 2 to 3 months
Doesn't smile at the sound of your voice by 2 months
Doesn't grasp and hold objects by 3 months
Doesn't smile at people by 3 months
Cannot support head well at 3 months
Doesn't reach for and grasp toys by 3 to 4 months
Doesn't bring objects to mouth by 4 months
Doesn't push down with legs when feet are placed on a firm surface by 4 months
Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions
Crosses eyes most of the time (occasional crossing of the eyes is normal in these first
months)
(4 -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
(8 -12 months)
Does not crawl
Drags one side of body while crawling (for over one month)
Cannot stand when supported
Does not search for objects that are hidden (10-12 months)
Says no single words ("mama" or "dada")
Does not learn to use gestures such as waving or shaking head
Does not sit steadily by 10 months
Does not show interest in "peek-a-boo" or "patty cake" by 8 months.
Does not babble by 8 months. ("dada," "baba," "mama")
(12 -15 months)
Cannot walk by 18 months
Fails to develop a mature heel-toe walking pattern after several months of walking, or
walks exclusively on toes
Does not speak at least 15 words by 18 months
Does not use two-word sentences by age 2
By 15 months does not seem to know the function of common household objects
(brush, telephone, bell, fork, spoon)
Does not imitate actions or words by 24 months.
Does not follow simple one-step instructions by 24 months.
(26 -36 months)
Frequent falling and difficulty with stairs
Persistent drooling or very unclear speech
Inability to build a tower of more than 4 blocks
Difficulty manipulating small objects
Inability to copy a circle by 3 years old
Inability to communicate in short phrases
No involvement in pretend play
Failure to understand simple instructions
Little interest in other children
Extreme difficulty separating from primary caregiver
(3 – 4 years)
Cannot jump in place
Cannot ride a trike
Cannot grasp a crayon between thumb and fingers
Has difficulty scribbling
Cannot copy a circle
Cannot stack 4 blocks
Still clings or cries when parents leave him
Shows no interest in interactive games
Ignores other children
Doesn't respond to people outside the family
Doesn't engage in fantasy play
Resists dressing, sleeping, using the toilet
Lashes out without any self-control when angry or upset
Doesn't use sentences of more than three words
Doesn't use "me" or "you" appropriately
