Development occurs throughout the lifespan from before birth until death. The following chart provides a brief overview of the some of the major developmental milestones that are important to the field of occupational therapy.
3 months
Social:
smiling
Cognitive:
noticing visual stimuli and beginning visually tracking
Fine Motor:
reflexive grasp with fingers and toes
recognizing and beginning to use hands
Gross Motor:
largely reflexive movements
holding head up
6 months
Social:
recognizing strangers
recognizing and responding to emotions of others
Cognitive:
bringing items to mouth during exploration
improved visual tracking
Fine Motor:
beginning to move items between hands
using raking grasp to pick up objects
Gross Motor:
rolling over
sitting with support and then unsupported
9 months
Social:
displaying fear of strangers and increased attachment to caregivers
Cognitive:
demonstrating understanding of object permanence (knowing that objects still exist even when no longer visible)
Fine Motor:
using three finger grasp to pick up objects
using lateral pinch
releasing objects voluntarily
Gross Motor:
crawling (with belly touching floor)
creeping (on all fours)
standing with support
cruising (moving by holding onto furniture or other objects)
12 months (1 year)
Social:
mimicking caregivers
playing “peek-a-boo”
using common items such as utensils, brush, etc.
Cognitive:
saying first words
Fine Motor:
using two finger pincer grasp to pick up objects and independent in finger feeding
stacking objects
taking off clothing and assisting with dressing
Gross Motor:
walking with support and then unsupported
18 months
Social:
engaging in make believe play
beginning independent exploration
Cognitive:
identifying body parts
following single step commands
Fine Motor:
scribbling
using hook grasp to hold writing utensil
Gross Motor:
walking independently
squatting and standing during play
24 months (2 years)
Social:
increasing independence
demonstrating defiant behavior
engaging in parallel play with other children
Cognitive:
naming pictures and objects
beginning sorting
following two step commands
Fine Motor:
drawing vertical and horizontal lines
emerging hand dominance
Gross Motor:
standing on tiptoe
kicking a ball
walking up two steps with assistance
4 years
Social:
preferring play with others rather than independent play
Cognitive:
learning colors and numbers
drawing people with up to 4 body parts
Fine Motor:
established hand dominance
using scissors
copying some letters
Gross Motor:
hopping
standing on one foot
catching a ball
6-12 years
Social:
increasing importance of friends
increasing imitation of adults
Cognitive:
understanding of logic and concrete operations
understanding differing points of view
understanding concepts such as the conservation of matter
Fine Motor:
improving writing skills
improving hand-eye coordination
Gross Motor:
increasing muscle coordination and control
increasing balance
12-18 years
Social:
increasing independence in personal ideas
increasing interest in privacy
increasing emotions such as love and passion
increasing interaction with friends over family
Cognitive:
understanding of abstract thinking
increasing empathy
increasing independence
increasing self-consciousness
Fine Motor:
increasing grip strength
Gross Motor:
increasing strength and endurance
increasing muscle coordination and control
18-40 years
Social:
increasing concern for intimacy and long term relationships
increasing focus on marriage and family
Cognitive:
shifting from hypothetical to pragmatic thinking
peak cognitive performance
Fine Motor:
very little change
Gross Motor:
very little change
40-65 years
Social:
changing family dynamics with children leaving, retirement
Cognitive:
increasing crystalized intelligence (stored knowledge gained through experience)
decreasing fluid intelligence (ability to process new facts and concepts)
declining cognitive performance in divided attention, short term memory, reaction time
Fine Motor:
decline in accuracy of fine motor control
Gross Motor:
declining strength
65+ years
Social:
coping with loss of friends and family
increasing expression of wisdom
Cognitive:
declining short term memory, processing time
increasing ability to resolve emotionally charged problems
Fine Motor:
decreasing speed, precision, and fine motor control
Gross Motor:
declining strength
declining coordination and balance
References and Further Reading:
Agustin, J., Bennett, M., Burch, K., Cantrell, P., & Connolly, M. (2014). Cognitive development [Handout].
Bowen, A., Dennis, A., Gudman, A., & Vernon, B. (2014). Gross motor development across the lifespan [Handout].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015a). Developmental milestones. Retrieved from: cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015b). Middle childhood (6-8 years of age). Retrieved from: cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/middle.html
Cronin, A. & Mandich, M. (2005). Human development and performance throughout the lifespan. Clifton Park, NT: Thomson Delmar Learning.
Keohane, E., Garner, B., Hames, H., Jett, E., & Perry, K. (2014). Domain: Social-emotional/affective [Handout].
Sample, C., Dillon, C., Flinchum, C., Gardner, E., & Hawkins, E. (2014). Fine motor skills [Handout].