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Monthly Development Checklists
Track your child's growth from ages 3-6
How to Use These Checklists
These checklists help you track your child's developmental milestones across four key areas: cognitive, language, motor skills, and social-emotional development. Remember that every child develops at their own pace— these are general guidelines, not strict requirements.
CognitiveLanguageMotor SkillsSocial-Emotional
3 Years Old
36-38 months
Cognitive
- Completes 3-4 piece puzzles
- Understands concept of "two"
- Sorts objects by shape and color
Language
- Uses 3-4 word sentences
- Names familiar pictures
- Follows 2-step instructions
Motor Skills
- Turns book pages one at a time
- Draws a circle
- Stacks 6+ blocks
Social-Emotional
- Takes turns with help
- Shows affection openly
- Plays alongside other children
Date observed:Notes:
39-41 months
Cognitive
- Understands "same" and "different"
- Engages in fantasy play
- Counts to 3
Language
- Tells stories
- Asks "why" questions
- Uses plurals
Motor Skills
- Uses scissors with supervision
- Draws a person with 2-4 body parts
- Builds tower of 9+ blocks
Social-Emotional
- Expresses emotions verbally
- Begins cooperative play
- Shows concern for crying friend
Date observed:Notes:
42-47 months
Cognitive
- Counts to 5
- Understands time concepts (morning/night)
- Recalls parts of a story
Language
- Speaks clearly enough for strangers to understand
- Uses future tense
- Knows first and last name
Motor Skills
- Hops on one foot
- Catches bounced ball
- Pours from a pitcher
Social-Emotional
- Plays cooperatively
- Likes to help with household tasks
- Negotiates solutions to conflicts
Date observed:Notes:
4 Years Old
48-50 months
Cognitive
- Counts to 10
- Names 4+ colors
- Understands counting concepts
Language
- Tells longer stories
- Speaks in complete sentences of 5+ words
- Understands rhyming
Motor Skills
- Draws shapes (square, circle)
- Uses fork and spoon well
- Dresses and undresses with little help
Social-Emotional
- Has preferred friends
- Plays "mom" and "dad"
- Becoming more independent
Date observed:Notes:
51-53 months
Cognitive
- Recognizes some letters
- Understands sequencing
- Compares sizes (bigger/smaller)
Language
- Asks what words mean
- Uses sentences of 6+ words
- Retells favorite stories
Motor Skills
- Writes some letters
- Cuts on a line with scissors
- Bounces and catches ball
Social-Emotional
- Likes to sing and act
- Shows growing independence
- Distinguishes fantasy from reality
Date observed:Notes:
54-59 months
Cognitive
- Counts to 20
- Recognizes numbers 1-10
- Understands "first," "middle," "last"
Language
- Tells own address
- Understands opposites
- Uses past tense correctly
Motor Skills
- Hops, somersaults, swings
- Draws a person with 6+ body parts
- Prints some letters and numbers
Social-Emotional
- Wants to please friends
- Follows rules in games
- Expresses likes and dislikes
Date observed:Notes:
5 Years Old
60-62 months
Cognitive
- Counts to 30+
- Recognizes most letters
- Sorts objects by multiple attributes
Language
- Speaks very clearly
- Uses future tense
- Recalls and tells stories in order
Motor Skills
- Ties shoes with help
- Uses scissors well
- Copies shapes and letters
Social-Emotional
- Distinguishes right from wrong
- Shows remorse when wrong
- Plays with both genders
Date observed:Notes:
63-65 months
Cognitive
- Understands time (today, yesterday, tomorrow)
- Knows letter sounds
- Does simple addition with objects
Language
- Defines words
- Uses all parts of speech
- Asks questions for information
Motor Skills
- Writes first name
- Buttons and zips independently
- Skips and gallops
Social-Emotional
- Cooperates with peers
- Follows rules consistently
- Shows empathy
Date observed:Notes:
66-71 months
Cognitive
- Counts to 100
- Reads some sight words
- Understands basic addition and subtraction
Language
- Uses complex sentences
- Tells jokes and riddles
- Understands cause and effect
Motor Skills
- Rides bicycle (may use training wheels)
- Draws detailed pictures
- Writes letters and numbers correctly
Social-Emotional
- Makes and keeps friends
- Resolves conflicts independently
- Shows good sportsmanship
Date observed:Notes:
When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
While children develop at different rates, talk to your child's doctor if you notice:
- •Loss of skills they previously had
- •Significant delays across multiple areas
- •Difficulty with basic communication or social interaction
- •Concerns about hearing, vision, or motor control
Early intervention can make a significant difference. Trust your instincts as a parent.
Celebrate Progress!
Record special achievements and milestones here:
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