What are some points on a developmental milestones checklist?

A developmental checklist should include language, cognitive, social, emotional and physical milestones that a typical child is expected reach at given ages. "Responds to her own name" and "can catch a ball with both hands" are examples of things found on such a list. Developmental checklists like those created by the CDC typically cover birth through age 5.

A developmental checklist for a 1-year-old might include points like "sits up without help," "says 'mama and 'dada'" and "follows simple directions." Points on a 2-year-old's checklist could include things like "speaks simple sentences," "kicks a ball," "follows two-step instructions," and so on.

By 5, a child's developmental checklist includes points like "knows the difference between real and make-believe," "can tell a simple story" and "draws some letters, numbers and simple shapes."

Infants are expected to reach more milestones than older children. The CDC provides different checklists for 2-month-olds, 4-month-olds, 6-month-olds, 9-month-olds and 1-year-olds but provides only one checklist per year for a child who is 2 or older.

The purpose of such a checklist is to make sure that a child is progressing normally. Failure to reach many milestones can be a sign of a developmental disorder. Not every child will reach every milestone by the appropriate age, but her pediatrician should monitor her progress closely.