Common Developmental Delays

Developmental delays can range from mild to severe. This article provides some developmental benchmarks to help you identify these delays.

In this article, you will find:

Introduction
Self-regulation milestones
Fine motor benchmarks
Gross motor benchmarks
Visual-perceptual benchmarks
Self-help benchmarks
Speech-language benchmarks
Cognitive benchmarks
Social-emotional benchmarks

Cognitive benchmarks

Listed below are some cognitive benchmarks to look for.

By six months:

  • uses hands and mouth to explore objects

  • finds a partially hidden object
By nine months:

  • plays two to three minutes with one toy (examining, rotating, touching, poking)

  • imitates a familiar gesture

  • finds a completely hidden object

  • deliberately touches an adult's hand or toy to start an activity
By twelve months:

  • retrieves an object to resume play

  • guides a toy with hands

  • throws objects to see what happens
By two years:

  • rotates an upside-down picture

  • uses tools to solve problems such as climbing on a chair to get a toy on a table

  • matches sounds to appropriate animal picture

  • engages in symbolic play (e.g., uses a stick to brush a doll's hair)
By three years:

  • talks to himself to expand on play theme or to an imaginary friend

  • understands the concept of two (e.g., can pick out two toys when directed)

  • discriminates between sizes (points to the Oreo instead of the M&M when asked which is larger)
Previous:
Next:

Join the Family

Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.

Subscribe