Birth – 11 months / • Turns head in response to sounds and sights.
• Gradually develops ability to hold up own head.
• Makes movements with arms and legs which gradually become more controlled.
• Rolls over from front to back, from back to front.
• When lying on tummy becomes able to lift first head and then chest, supporting self with forearms and then straight arms.
• Watches and explores hands and feet, e.g. when lying on back lifts legs into vertical position and grasps feet.
• Reaches out for, touches and begins to hold objects.
• Explores objects with mouth, often picking up an object and holding it to the mouth.
· Can move eyes to look at different parts of objects and pictures.
· Follows moving objects.
· Able to control head movements.
· Holds head and upper body by themselves when supported in sitting.
· Arms and leg movements become smoother and more continuous, no longer sudden and jerky.
· Use movement and sensory exploration to link up with their immediate environment.
· Takes weight through legs and bounces up and down when held in a standing position.
· Closes hand firmly round an object placed in palm.
· Holds a rattle for a few seconds when placed in hand.
· Uses two hands to scoop up toys.
· Plays with objects by banging, shaking, turning them around in their hands.
· Feels and plays with toys and everyday objects of different textures e.g. smooth, rough, soft, furry and sticky.
· Passes toys from hand to hand.
· Holds two toys, one in each hand. / • Responds to and thrives on warm, sensitive physical contact and care.
• Expresses discomfort, hunger or thirst.
• Anticipates food routines with interest.
· Expresses different needs with different sounds/noises e.g. different cries because they are frightened, hungry, lonely etc.
· Opens mouth when offered food on a spoon.
· Using fingers to self feed finger foods.
· Holds own bottle or drinking cup.
· Able to suck from a feeding cup.
· Willing to taste a range of foods with different textures.
8 – 20 months / • Sits unsupported on the floor.
• When sitting, can lean forward to pick up small toys.
• Pulls to standing, holding on to furniture or person for support.
• Crawls, bottom shuffles or rolls continuously to move around.
• Walks around furniture lifting one foot and stepping sideways (cruising), and walks with one or both hands held by adult.
• Takes first few steps independently.
• Passes toys from one hand to the other.
• Holds an object in each hand and brings them together in the middle, e.g. holds two blocks and bangs them together.
• Picks up small objects between thumb and fingers.
• Enjoys the sensory experience of making marks in damp sand, paste or paint.
• Holds pen or crayon using a whole hand (palmar) grasp and makes random marks with different strokes.
· Make strong and purposeful movements, often moving from the position in which they are placed.
· Can move from a sitting position to hands and knees (crawl position)
· Pulls self up to standing.
· Can rise to sitting position from lying down.
· Use their increasing mobility to connect with toys, objects and people
· Walks with one hand or both hands held by an adult.
· Stands by themselves for a few seconds.
· Crawls upstairs.
· Show delight in the freedom and changing perspectives that standing or beginning to walk bring.
· Throws toys or objects deliberately.
· Carries toys, or several toys while walking.
· Pulls toys on string along behind while walking.
· Imitate and improvise actions they have observed, such as clapping and waving.
· Stretches out with one hand to grasp a toy.
· Can pick up small objects easily between thumb and index finger (pincer grip)
· Become more absorbed in putting objects in and out of containers.
· Turns over containers to tip out contents.
· Repeats actions to explore object properties / • Opens mouth for spoon.
• Holds own bottle or cup.
• Grasps finger foods and brings them to mouth.
• Attempts to use spoon: can guide towards mouth but food often falls off.
• Can actively cooperate with nappy changing (lies still, helps hold legs up).
• Starts to communicate urination, bowel movement.
· Begin to indicate own needs, for example by pointing.
· Cooperates with dressing.
· Removes own socks.
· Removes unfastened shoes.
· Removes a loose hat.
· Seeks out a familiar adult for comfort.
· Shows caution when with strangers.
· Co-operates when having teeth cleaned.
· Co-operates when having hands and face washed.
16 – 26 months / • Walks upstairs holding hand of adult.
• Comes downstairs backwards on knees (crawling).
• Beginning to balance blocks to build a small tower.
• Makes connections between their movement and the marks they make.
· Runs taking care, some difficulty with avoiding obstacles
· Has a wide variety of different ways to play.
· Express themselves through action and sound.
· Scribbles spontaneously and makes dots on paper.
· Are excited by their own increasing mobility and often set their own challenges
· Fits large round shapes into posting box, puzzle or shape sorter.
· Throws a small ball overhand.
· Tries to kick a ball.
· Sits on a small tricycle, moving it with feet pushing on the floor.
· Use tools and materials for particular purposes.
· Builds a tower with 3 blocks.
· Thread large beads onto a firm stick or pipe cleaner.
· Begin to make, and manipulate, objects and tools.
· Begin to imitate circular scribble and draw vertical lines.
· Put together a sequence of actions.
· Uses appropriate actions to explore properties of objects e.g. turning, twisting, rolling and pressing / • Develops own likes and dislikes in food and drink.
• Willing to try new food textures and tastes.
• Holds cup with both hands and drinks without much spilling.
• Clearly communicates wet or soiled nappy or pants.
• Shows some awareness of bladder and bowel urges.
• Shows awareness of what a potty or toilet is used for.
• Shows a desire to help with dressing/undressing and hygiene routines.
· Able to make a choice between something they like and dislike.
· Able to show dislikes appropriately.
· Practise and develop what they can do.
· Assists with dressing e.g. hold up arms for sleeves or foot for shoe.
· Aware of where clothes are kept e.g. outdoor coat, slippers etc.
· Plays dress up games.
· Unzips zipper on coat/jacket.
· Helps to take coat off.
· Communicate preferences.
· Demonstrate a choice from a selection of resources/activities.
· Able to point to parts of face on request.
· Able to point to parts of the body on request.
· Beginning to help with teeth cleaning routine.
22 – 36 months / • Runs safely on whole foot.
• Squats with steadiness to rest or play with object on the ground, and rises to feet without using hands.
• Climbs confidently and is beginning to pull themselves up on nursery play climbing equipment.
• Can kick a large ball.
• Turns pages in a book, sometimes several at once.
• Shows control in holding and using jugs to pour, hammers, books and mark-making tools.
• Beginning to use three fingers (tripod grip) to hold writing tools
• Imitates drawing simple shapes such as circles and lines.
• Walks upstairs or downstairs holding onto a rail two feet to a step.
• May be beginning to show preference for dominant hand.
· Gradually gain control of their whole bodies and are becoming aware of how to negotiate the space and objects around them.
· Runs safely stopping and starting with ease.
· Move spontaneously within available space.
· Manage body to create intended movements.
· Squats with steadiness to rest or play with objects on the ground, rises to feet without using hands.
· Combine and repeat a range of movements.
· Jumps with 2 feet together.
· Balance blocks to create simple structures
· Uses simple construction equipment to build e.g. stickle bricks, duplo
· Picks up tiny objects accurately and precisely.
· Imitates drawing simple face; circle for head with eyes, nose and mouth.
· Fits small pieces into an inset board with greater accuracy.
· Threads large beads onto a lace.
· Begin to explore using scissors
· Screws and unscrews nuts and bolts and jar lids.
· Can put tiny objects into small containers e.g. rice / • Feeds self competently with spoon.
• Drinks well without spilling.
• Clearly communicates their need for potty or toilet.
• Beginning to recognise danger and seeks support of significant adults for help.
• Helps with clothing, e.g. puts on hat, unzips zipper on jacket, takes off unbuttoned shirt.
• Beginning to be independent in self-care, but still often needs adult support.
· Communicate their needs for things such as food, drinks and when they are uncomfortable.
· Able to go to the toilet minimal support.
· Seek to do things for themselves, knowing that an adult is close by, ready to support and help if needed.
· Attempts to put shoes on independently.
· Removes clothes if fastenings are undone.
· Can undo large buttons and Velcro.
· Become more aware that choices have consequences.
· Take pleasure in personal hygiene including toileting.
· Pulls down own pants with support.
· Pulls down own trousers with support.
· Pulls up a zipper if it is fastened at the bottom.
· Washes hands with support.
· Helps with familiar routines, tidying up, helping at home e.g. setting the table, dusting etc.
· Enjoys the responsibility of carrying out small tasks e.g. group helper, taking things to adults etc.
30 – 50 months / • Moves freely and with pleasure and confidence in a range of ways, such as slithering, shuffling, rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping, skipping, sliding and hopping.
• Mounts stairs, steps or climbing equipment using alternate feet.
• Walks downstairs, two feet to each step while carrying a small object.
• Runs skilfully and negotiates space successfully, adjusting speed or direction to avoid obstacles.
• Can stand momentarily on one foot when shown.
• Can catch a large ball.
• Draws lines and circles using gross motor movements.
• Uses one-handed tools and equipment, e.g. makes snips in paper with child scissors.
• Holds pencil between thumb and two fingers, no longer using whole-hand grasp.
• Holds pencil near point between first two fingers and thumb and uses it with good control.
• Can copy some letters, e.g. letters from their name.
· Use movement to express feelings.
· Demonstrate the control necessary to hold a shape or fixed position.
· Operate equipment by means of pushing and pulling movements.
· Negotiate an appropriate pathway when walking, running or using a wheelchair or other mobility aids, both indoors and outdoors.
· Judge body space in relation to spaces available when fitting into confined spaces or negotiating openings and boundaries.
· Show respect for other children’s personal space when playing among them.
· Persevere in repeating some actions or attempts when developing a new skill.
· Collaborate in devising and sharing tasks, including those which involve accepting rules.
· Engage in activities requiring hand-eye coordination.
· Threads smaller beads onto a shoelace
· Draws spontaneous and unrecognisable forms.
· Draws person with head and one or two other features or parts eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hair.
· Show increasing control over clothing and fastenings.
· Show increasing control in using equipment for climbing, scrambling, sliding and swinging.
· Demonstrate increasing skill and control in the use of mark-making implements, blocks, construction sets and small-world activities.
· Understand that equipment and tools have to be used safely.
· Find more ways to use tools and materials. / • Can tell adults when hungry or tired or when they want to rest or play.
• Observes the effects of activity on their bodies.
• Understands that equipment and tools have to be used safely.
• Gains more bowel and bladder control and can attend to toileting needs most of the time themselves.
• Can usually manage washing and drying hands.
• Dresses with help, e.g. puts arms into open-fronted coat or shirt when held up, pulls up own trousers, and pulls up zipper once it is fastened at the bottom.
· Showing greater control over clothing fastening e.g. zips, buttons, and poppers.
· Showing greater independence with self help skills e.g. washing hand, blowing nose.
· Can take off own coat
· Can take off own shoes
· Can put own shoes on.
· Show awareness of a range of healthy practices with regard to eating, sleeping and hygiene.
· Observe the effects of activity on their bodies.
· Show willingness to tackle problems and enjoy self-chosen challenges.
· Demonstrate a sense of pride in own achievement.
· Take initiatives and manage developmentally appropriate tasks.
· Puts arms into an open-fronted coat.
· Hangs up own coat.
· Ask for help or support when needed.
· Able to wash hands and dry them independently.
· Removes clothes that are unfastened
40 – 60+ months / • Experiments with different ways of moving.
• Jumps off an object and lands appropriately.
• Negotiates space successfully when playing racing and chasing games with other children, adjusting speed or changing direction to avoid obstacles.
• Travels with confidence and skill around, under, over and through balancing and climbing equipment.
• Shows increasing control over an object in pushing, patting, throwing, catching or kicking it.
• Uses simple tools to effect changes to materials.
• Handles tools, objects, construction and malleable materials safely and with increasing control.
• Shows a preference for a dominant hand.
• Begins to use anticlockwise movement and retrace vertical lines.
• Begins to form recognisable letters.
• Uses a pencil and holds it effectively to form recognisable letters, most of which are correctly formed.
· Go backwards and sideways as well as forwards.
· Experiment with different ways of moving.
· Initiate new combinations of movements and gesture in order to express and respond to feelings, ideas and experiences.
· Show understanding of the need for safety when tackling new challenges.
· Avoid dangerous places and equipment.
· Construct with large materials such as cartons, fabric and planks.
· Explore malleable materials by patting, stroking, poking, squeezing, pinching and twisting them.
· Manipulate materials to achieve a planned effect.
· Use simple toys to effect changes to the material.
· Show an understanding of how to transport and store equipment safely.
· Practise some appropriate safety measures without direct supervision.
Early Learning Goal
Children show good control and co-ordination in large and small movements. They move confidently in a range of ways, safely negotiating space. They handle equipment and tools effectively, including pencils for writing. / • Eats a healthy range of foodstuffs and understands need for variety in food.
• Usually dry and clean during the day.
• Shows some understanding that good practices with regard to exercise, eating, sleeping and hygiene can contribute to good health.
• Shows understanding of the need for safety when tackling new challenges, and considers and manages some risks.
• Shows understanding of how to transport and store equipment safely.
• Practices some appropriate safety measures without direct supervision.
· Operates independently within the environment.
· Shows confidence in linking up with others for support and guidance.
· Appreciate the need for hygiene.
· Can dress and undress independently, may need some help from an adult.
· Can identify own belongings.
· Can do up and undo fastenings e.g. buttons, zips, Velcro etc.
· Can put socks and shoes on independently.
· Uses a knife, fork and spoon for feeding.
Early Learning Goal
Children know the importance for good health of physical exercise, and a healthy diet, and talk about ways to keep healthy and safe. They manage their own basic hygiene and personal needs successfully, including dressing and going to the toilet independently.
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