Developmental Checklist for Birth to Three Months
(Developmental Checklist for Birth to Three months of age)
How do I know when I should consider therapy for my child?
Please review the list below, one or two concerns should not cause alarm. It is important to look at your child’s overall tendencies and clusters of behavior. If your child is not frequently and consistently demonstrating more than a few of the listed items in each age category, print a copy of the list, check your concerns.
Where more than a few concerns are found in a child, we recommend you speak with your primary care physician [PCP] and have a discussion about whether to obtain a referral for an assessment by Speech Language Therapy or Occupational Therapy. The referral should be for a Speech language Therapist and / or Occupational Therapist professional, which is experienced with working in child development.
Birth to Three Months
Motor
Yes __ No__ Able to bring hands to mouth
Yes __ No__ Able to move fists from open to fist
Yes __ No__ Moves legs and arms off of surface when excited
Yes __ No__ While lying on tummy, lifts and holds head up
Yes __ No__ While lying on tummy, pushes up on arms
Sensory
Yes __ No__ Able to calm with rocking, touching, and gentle sounds
Yes __ No__ Attempts to reach for a toy held above their chest
Yes __ No__ Enjoys a variety of movements
Yes __ No__ Is not upset by everyday sounds
Yes __ No__ while lying on back, keeps head centered to watch faces or toys
Yes __ No__ While lying on back, moves eyes to visually track objects
Developmental Checklist for Birth to Three Months
Communication
Yes __ No__ Coos and vocalizes other than crying
Yes __ No__ Cries differently for different needs (e.g. hungry vs. tired)
Yes __ No__ Makes eye contact
Yes __ No__ Quiets or smiles when spoken to
Yes __ No__ Shows interest in faces
Yes __ No__ Turns head towards sound or voice
Feeding
Yes __ No__ Turns head toward nipple or bottle
Yes __ No__ Tongue moves forward and back to suck
Yes __ No__ Drinks 2 oz. to 6 oz. of liquid per feeding, 6 times per day
Yes __ No__ Sucks and swallows well during feeding