Free Developmental Screenings

The state of Illinois recommends everyone gets their child screened for developmental milestones. The screenings are free through Early Intervention. For Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Henry and Stark Counties in Illinois call (309) 999-7030 to set up a time for a therapist to come to your house. The first visit usually lasts about an hour.

I have had both of my kids screened. They both had speech delays. If your child needs therapy, the cost is based on your income. Every child develops at his/her own pace. It is up to you to gather all the information about where they stand and decide whether he/she needs assistance. Below is a list of the developmental milestones. I think it's a great program and I would recommend getting your child screened if you have any concerns at all.

One to Six Months Developmental Skills

The skills listed below are a guideline to keep track of your child’s development. The skills are listed in developmental order. Children develop at different times. If you are ever concerned with your child’s development during the ages of birth to age three and would like to schedule a developmental screening please call (309) 999-7030.

Social Skills	Language Development
Recognizes faces	Reacts to sound
Smiles	Vocalizes with cooing sounds
Recognizes familiar faces	Laughs and squeals
	Looks in direction of sound
	Recognizes own name
	Imitates sounds
Fine Motor Skills	Gross Motor Skills
Follows moving objects with eyes	Lifts head
Notices hands	On tummy, holds head up
Grasps toys	Does mini push-ups
Plays with hands and feet	Supports weight on feet
Brings objects to mouth	Rolls over
	Supported sitting, head steady

Parent Child Activities:

• Hold your baby close while feeding, talk and smile.
• Rocking in a chair can provide comfort, motion, touching and relaxation.
• Don’t discourage taste of safe objects because babies learn about world through their mouth.
• Talk, Talk, Talk throughout the day explaining all of the activities that you do.
• Place child on stomach. Stomach time helps with motor development.
• Babies need to change positions often to help with all areas of development.
• Look at books with texture and colors.
• Babies love seeing themselves. Use a mirror while lying on floor.

Toy Suggestions:

• YOU
• Books
• Mobiles
• Textures
• Sponges in bath

• Teething rings
• Rattles
• Music
• Blanket on floor for tummy time.

Seven to Twelve Months

Developmental Skills

The skills listed below are a guideline to keep track of your child’s development. The skills are listed in developmental order. Children develop at different times. If you are ever concerned with your child’s development during the ages of birth to age three and would like to schedule a developmental screening please call (309) 999-7030.

Social Skills	Language Development
Shy with strangers/ stranger anxiety	Responds to name
Works for toys out of reach	Says mama, dada (jabbering)
Plays pat-a-cake, peek-a-boo	Imitates speech sounds/ babbles
Waves Bye-Bye	Understands familiar words
	Indicates wants and needs with gestures
	First words
Fine Motor Skills	Gross Motor Skills
Pulls objects to self	Sits without support
Passes objects from hand to hand	Rocks on hands and knees
Picks up small objects	Crawls, pulls self to stand
Finger feeds self	Cruises furniture
Bangs objects together	Stands alone momentarily
Use pincer grasp	Take a few steps
Put items in a container
Scribble

Parent Child Activities:

• Imitate sounds your child makes.
• Place toys out of reach to encourage movement.
• Encourage finger feeding with a variety of small foods- cheese, cheerios, crackers, etc.
• Talk about the sounds you hear.
• Baby proof your house so your child can explore.
• Only use playpen as a special place not a babysitter.
• Talk to your child while you do activities.

Toy Suggestions:

• YOU
• Pots and pans- Drums
• Mirrors
• Musical toys

• Soft blocks
• Texture items
• Picture books
• Stacking cups

Thirteen to Eighteen Months

Developmental Skills

The skills listed below are a guideline to keep track of your child’s development. The skills are listed in developmental order. Children develop at different times. If you are ever concerned with your child’s development during the ages of birth to age three and would like to schedule a developmental screening please call (309) 999-7030.

Social Skills	Language Development
Indicates wants and needs without crying	Has a vocabulary starting at 2 words up to 2 word phrases
Likes to see own reflection	Can identify up to five body parts
Imitates others	Responds to directions
Drinks from a cup, Begin to use a spoon	“No” is favorite word
Has temper tantrums	Chooses objects from a group
Shows attachment to objects
Enjoys pretend games
Fine Motor	Gross Motor
Can eat with fingers	Walks alone
Puts objects in a container	Bends over and pick up items
Scribbles with crayon	Plays with a ball
Turns pages in book	Climbs, kneels, and walks backwards
Stacks up to 3 blocks	Likes riding toys

Parent Child Activities:

• During bath time talk about your child’s body parts as you wash them.
• Name items and encourage your child to repeat you.
• Allow your child to feed themselves. The best way to learn is by doing.
• Encourage your child to use their words with rewards.
• Read books together often.
• Be silly, have fun!

Toy Suggestions:

• YOU
• Boxes, coffee canisters, and

buckets to fill and empty.

• Pull toys to help with walking
• Books
• Music
• Dolls

Nineteen to Twenty Four Months

Developmental Skills

The skills listed below are a guideline to keep track of your child’s development. The skills are listed in developmental order. Children develop at different times. If you are ever concerned with your child’s development during the ages of birth to age three and would like to schedule a developmental screening please call (309) 999-7030.

Social Skills	Language Development
Uses a spoon well	Follows simple directions
Helps with simple tasks	Understands 100-200 words
Removes clothing	30-50 word vocabulary
Helps with simple self help skills	Names objects/ pictures
Begins to put on clothes	Asks questions
Interest in other children	Uses 2-3 word sentences
Fine Motor	Gross Motor
Uses silverware	Runs with coordination
Completes simple puzzles	Throws a ball underhand
Imitates crayon strokes	Walks up the stairs
Turns knobs	Kicks a ball
Stacks 5-6 blocks

Parent Child Activities:

• Allow your child the opportunity to complete self help skills- dressing, brush teeth, wash hands, and brush hair.
• Encourage your child to use silverware as much as possible.
• Children learn by listening, do not talk baby talk. Repeat what child says with correct word- goggie-doggie!
• Have your child help with simple household tasks.
• Give your child opportunities to be creative with drawing, painting, and sidewalk chalk.
• Play outdoors. Create obstacle courses, race, kick a ball, and throw a ball.
• Read books.

Toy Suggestions:

• YOU
• Blocks
• Crayons, markers, paint
• Household Items- broom, dustpan, dishes
• Ball
• Matching Objects
• Simple Puzzles
• Toy phone

Twenty Five to Thirty Months

Developmental Skills

The skills listed below are a guideline to keep track of your child’s development. The skills are listed in developmental order. Children develop at different times. If you are ever concerned with your child’s development during the ages of birth to age three and would like to schedule a developmental screening please call (309) 999-7030.

Social Skills	Language Development
Throws temper tantrums	Understands at least 300 words
Washes and dries hands on their own	Has a 50- 100 word vocabulary
Dresses with supervision	Uses pronouns
	Identifies objects through descriptions- big/ little
Fine Motor Skills	Gross Motor Skills
Stacks 5-10 blocks	Walks up and down stair using railing
Imitates vertical lines	Jumps with both feet off floor
Opens doors	Stands on one foot briefly
Draws a circle

Parent Child Activities:

• Allow your child the opportunity to complete self help skills- dressing, brush teeth, wash hands, and brush hair.
• When asked questions answer them even though you may hear a question many times a day.
• Take walks and describe what you see and ask what sounds your child hears.
• Play like an animal and have child guess what animal you are.
• Play hide and seek.
• Sing nursery rhymes.
• Read stories.
• Allow your child choices.
• Play with play dough and make a variety of shapes and objects.
• Give your child opportunities to be creative with drawing, painting, and sidewalk chalk.

Toy Suggestions:

• YOU
• Books
• Beads with strings
• Create a picture book with pictures out of magazines in a photo album
• Play with puppets- create your own with old socks
• Riding toys
• Crayons, pens, paints
• Step stool for independence

Thirty One to Thirty Six Months

Developmental Skills

The skills listed below are a guideline to keep track of your child’s development. The skills are listed in developmental order. Children develop at different times. If you are ever concerned with your child’s development during the ages of birth to age three and would like to schedule a developmental screening please call (309) 999-7030.

Social Skills	Language Development
Plays house	Say their name
Dresses and undresses self	Names one color
Takes turns and learning to share	Names one friend
Shows toilet readiness skills	Can carry on simple conversation
Expresses emotion	Understands in, out, on, under and behind
	Describes object by use and action
Fine Motor Skills	Gross Motor Skills
Copies circle and crosses	Walks up and down stairs
Stacks 8-12 blocks	Balances on each foot
Strings beads	Hops on one foot
Zips items	Pedals a tricycle
Unbuttons objects	Jumps over things

Parent Child Activities:

• Read together.
• Finger paint.
• Point out colors together.
• Play follow the leader.
• Cut out shapes of different sizes and match up the same sizes and shapes.
• Have your child help in simple activities.
• Answer "why" questions.
• Talk about your family and where they live.

Toy Suggestions:

• YOU
• Simple games
• Cars
• Play House
• Doll House
• Books
• Riding toys
• Beads
• Zippers
• Buttons
• Crayons, pens, paints
• Colors, Shapes, and sizes

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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