Occupational Therapy Developmental Checklist

Scissor Skills:

  • 2 years – snip
  • 2 1/2 years – cut across a 6 inch piece of paper
  • 3-3 1/2 years – cut on 6 inch line
  • 3 1/2 – 4 1/2 years – cut circle
  • 4 1/2 – 5 years – cut square

Writing Skills:

  • 10 – 12 months – scribble
  • 2 years – imitate horizontal and vertical lines and circles
  • 3 years – copy horizontal and vertical lines and circles
  • 4-5 years – copy diagonal lines, square, some letters/numbers/name
  • 5-6 years – copy triangle, print own name and most letters

Grasp:

  • 1-1 1/2 years – cylindrical grasp
  • 2-3 years – digital pronated
  • 3 1/2-4 years – static tripod
  • 4 1/2 + years – dynamic tripod

Visual Motor Skills:

  • 1 1/2-2 years – turn three pages in a book, 3 piece inset puzzle, stack 4-6 cubes
  • 2 – 2 1/2 years – Stack 8-10 cubes, build 4 block train, string 2-4 blocks
  • 2 1/2 – 3 years – build 3 block bridge, build 4 block wall
  • 3 – 3 1/2 years – Lace 3 holds
  • 4 1/2 – 5 years – build 6 block stairs, build 6 block pyramid

Activities of Daily Living

Toileting:

  • 1 year – discomfort when wet or soiled
  • 1 1/2 years – sit on toilet when placed with supervision
  • 2 years – urinate regularly, interest in using the restroom, dry for 2+ hours, flush the toilet
  • 2 1/2 years – regularly toileting (rare accidents) tells others when they need to use restroom
  • 3 years – independently going to the restroom, still need assistance with hygiene and fasteners
  • 4-5 years – completely independent

Dressing:

  • 1 year – pull of socks, assists with arms/legs in clothing
  • 2 years – remove unfastened coat, assists with pulling down pants
  • 2 1/2 years – independently pull pants down, help with socks, unbutton large buttons
  • 3 years – pull over shirt with minimal assistance, take off shoes without fasteners, button large buttons
  • 3 1/2 years – find front of clothing, unzip/unbuckle, button/unbutton 3-4 buttons
  • 4 years – remove pullover shirt independently, buckle/zip, put on shoes and socks, identify front of clothing
  • 4 1/2 years – loop belt on belt loops
  • 5 years – tie/untie knots, dress unsupervised
  • 6 years – back zipper, button, snap, tie bows/shoelaces

Feeding:

  • 1 year – hold a cup with spills, bring a spoon to mouth (will spill and turn over spoon)
  • 1 1/2 years – bring spoon to mouth with no spills
  • 2 years – hold spoon with palm up
  • 3 years – self feed with little spills
  • 3 1/2 years – spear food with fork