Child Development Stages – advice for practitioners

• Lies back with head to one side; arm and leg on same side outstretched, or both arms flexed; knees apart, soles of feet turned inwards.
• Large jerky movements of limbs, arms more active than legs.
• At rest, hands closed and thumb turned in.
• Fingers and toes fan out during extensor movements of limbs.
• When cheek touched, turns to same side; ear gently rubbed, turns head away.
• When lifted or pulled to sit, head falls loosely backwards.
• Held sitting, head falls forward, with back in one complete curve.
• Placed downwards on face, head immediately turns to side; arms and legs flexed under body, buttocks humped up.
• Held standing on hard surface, presses down feet, straightens body and often makes reflex ‘stepping’ movements.

Vision & fine movements:

• Turns head and eyes towards light.
• Stares expressionlessly at brightness of window or blank wall.
• Follows pencil flash-lamp briefly with eyes at one foot.
• Shuts eyes tightly when pencil light shone directly into them at 1-2 inches.
• Notices silent dangling toy shaken in line of vision at 6–8 inches and follows its slow movement with eyes from side towards mid-line on level with face through approximately quarter circle, before head falls back to side.
• Gazes at mother/carer’s nearby face when they feed or talks to baby with increasingly alert facial expression.

Hearing & speech:

• Startled by sudden loud noises, stiffens, quivers, blinks, screws eyes up, extends limbs, fans out fingers and toes, and may cry.
• Movements momentarily ‘frozen’, when small bell rung gently 3–5 inches from ear for 3–5 seconds, with 5 second pauses; may ‘corner’ eyes towards sound.
• Stops whimpering to sound of nearby soothing human voice, but not when screaming or feeding.
• Cries lustily when hungry or uncomfortable.
• Utters little guttural noises when content.
• Note: deaf babies also cry and vocalise in this reflex way, but if very deaf do not usually show startle reflex to sudden noises.
• Blind babies may also move eyes towards a sound-making toy. Vision should always be checked separately.

Social behaviour & play:

• Sucks well.
• Sleeps much of the time when not being fed or handled.
• Expression still vague, but becoming more alert, progressing to social smiling about 5–6 weeks.
• Hands normally closed, but if opened, grasps examiner’s finger when palm is touched.
• Stops crying when picked up and spoken to.
• Mother/carer supports head when carrying, dressing and bathing.

Source: Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects No 102. HMSO 1960, revised 1975.

• Now prefers to lie on back with head in mid-line.
• Limbs more pliable movements smoother and more continuous.
• Waves arms symmetrically, hands now loosely open.
• Brings hands together from side into mid-line over chest or chin.
• Kicks vigorously, legs alternating, or occasionally together.
• Held sitting, holds back straight, except in lumber region, with head erect and steady for several seconds before bobbing forwards.
• Placed downwards on face lifts head and upper chest well up in mid-line, using forearms as support, and often scratching at table surface; legs straight, buttocks flat.
• Held standing with feet on hard surface, sags at knees.

Vision & fine movements:

• Visually very alert, particularly interested in nearby human faces.
• Moves head deliberately to look around.
• Follows adult’s movements near cot.
• Follows dangling toy at 6–10 inches above face through half circle from side to side, and usually also vertically from chest to brow.
• Watches movements of own hands before face and beginning to clasp and unclasp hands together in finger play.
• Recognises feeding bottle and makes eager welcoming movements as it approaches their face.
• Regards still objects within 6–10 inches for more than a second or two, but seldom fixates continuously.
• Comerges eyes as dangling toy is moved towards face. Defensive blink shown.

Hearing & speech:

• Sudden loud noises still distress, provoking blinking, screwing up of eyes, crying and turning away.
• Definite quietening or smiling to sound of mother/carer’s voice before they touch baby, but not when screaming.
• Vocalises freely when spoken to or pleased.
• Cries when uncomfortable or annoyed.
• Quietens to tinkle of spoon in cup or to bell rung gently out of sight for 3–5 seconds at 6–12 inches from ear.
• May turn eyes and head towards sound; brows may wrinkle and eyes dilate.
• Often licks lips in response to sounds of preparation for feeding.
• Shows excitement at sound of approaching footsteps, running bath water, voices, etc.
• Note: a deaf baby, instead, may be obviously startled by mother/carer’s sudden appearance beside cot.

Social behaviour & play:

• Fixes eyes unblinkingly on mother/carer’s face when feeding.
• Beginning to react to familiar situations – showing by smiles, coos, and excited movements that they recognise preparation for feeds, baths, etc.
• Responds with obvious pleasure to friendly handling, especially when accompanied by playful tickling and vocal sounds.
• Holds rattle for few moments when placed in hand, but seldom capable of regarding it at same time.
• Mother/carer supports at shoulders when dressing and bathing.

Source: Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects No 102. HMSO 1960, revised 1975.

• Lying on back, raises head from pillow. Lifts legs into vertical and grasps foot.
• Sits with support in cot or pram and turns head from side to look around.
• Moves arms in brisk and purposeful fashion and holds them up to be lifted.
• When hands grasped braces shoulders and pulls self up.
• Kicks strongly, legs alternating. Can roll over, front to back.
• Held sitting, head is firmly erect, and back straight. May sit alone momentarily.
• Placed downwards on face lifts head and chest well up, supporting self on extended arms.
• Held standing with feet touching hard surface bears weight on feet and bounces up and down actively.

Vision & fine movements:

• Visually insatiable: moves head and eyes eagerly in every direction.
• Eyes move in unison: squint now abnormal.
• Follows adult’s movements across room.
• Immediately fixates interesting small objects within 6–12 inches (e.g. toy, bell, wooden cube, spoon, sweet) and stretches out both hands to grasp them.
• Uses whole hand in palmar grasp. When toys fall from hand over edge of cot forgets them.
• Watches rolling balls of 2 to 1/4 inch diameter at 10 feet.

Hearing & speech:

• Turns immediately to mother/carer’s voice across room.
• Vocalises tunefully and often, using single and double syllables, e.g. ka, muh, goo, der, adah, er-lah.
• Laughs, chuckles and squeals aloud in play; screams with annoyance.
• Shows evidence of response to different emotional tones of mother/carer’s voice.
• Responds to baby hearing test at 11/2 feet from each ear by correct visual localisation, but may show slightly brisker response on one side.
• Tests employed – voice, rattle, cup and spoons, paper, bell; 2 seconds with 2 seconds pause.

Social behaviour & play

• Hands competent to reach for and grasp small toys.
• Most often uses a two-handed, scooping-in approach, but occasionally a single hand.
• Takes everything to mouth.
• Beginning to find feet interesting and even useful in grasping.
• Puts hands to bottle and pats it when feeding.
• Shakes rattle deliberately to make it sound, often regarding it closely at same time.
• Still friendly with strangers but occasionally shows some shyness or even slight anxiety, especially if mother/carer is out of sight.

Source: Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects No 102. HMSO 1960, revised 1975.

• Sits alone for 10–15 minutes on the floor.
• Can turn body to look sideways while stretching out to grasp dangling toy or to pick up toy from floor.
• Arms and legs very active in cot, pram and bath.
• Progresses on floor by rolling or squirming.
• Attempts to crawl on all fours.
• Pulls self to stand with support.
• Can stand holding on to support for a few moments, but cannot lower self.
• Held standing, steps purposefully on alternate feet.

Vision & fine movements:

• Very observant.
• Stretches out, one hand leading, to grasp small objects immediately on catching sight of them.
• Manipulates objects with lively interest, passing from hand to hand, turning over, etc.
• Pokes at small object with index finger.
• Grasps sweets, string, etc., between finger and thumb in scissor fashion.
• Can release toy by pressing against firm surface, but cannot yet put down precisely.
• Searches in correct place for toys dropped within reach of hands.
• Looks after toys falling over edge of pram or table.
• Watches activities of adults, children and animals within 10–12 feet with eager interest for several seconds at a time.
• Watches rolling balls 21/8 inches at 10 feet.

Hearing & speech:

• Vocalises deliberately as means of interpersonal communication.
• Shouts to attract attention, listens, then shouts again.
• Babbles tunefully, repeating syllables in long strings (mam-man, bab-bab, dad-dad, etc.)
• Understands ‘No-No’ and ‘Bye-Bye’.
• Tries to imitate adults’ playful vocal sounds, e.g. smacking lips, cough, brr, etc.
• Immediate localising response to baby hearing tests at 3 feet from ear and above and below ear level.

Social behaviour & play:

• Holds, bites and chews biscuits.
• Puts hands round bottle or cup when feeding.
• Tries to grasp spoon when being fed.
• Throws body back and stiffens in annoyance or resistance.
• Clearly distinguishes strangers from familiars, and requires reassurance before accepting their advances.
• Clings to known adult and hides face.
• Still takes everything to mouth.
• Seizes bell in one hand, imitates ringing action, waving or banging it on table, pokes clapper or ‘drinks’ from bowl.
• Plays peek-a-boo.
• Holds out toy held in hand to adult, but cannot yet give.
• Finds partially hidden toy.
• May find toy hidden under cup.
• Mother supports at lower spine when dressing.

Source: Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects No 102. HMSO 1960, revised 1975.

• Sits well and for indefinite time.
• Can rise to sitting position from lying down.
• Crawls rapidly, usually on all fours.
• Pulls to standing and lets himself down again holding on to furniture.
• Walks round furniture stepping sideways.
• Walks with one or both hands held.
• May stand alone for a few moments.
• May walk alone.

Vision & fine movements:

• Picks up small objects, e.g. blocks, string, sweets and crumbs, with precise pincer grasp of thumb and index finger.
• Throws toys deliberately and watches them fall to ground.
• Looks in correct place for toys which roll out of sight.
• Points with index finger at objects they want to handle or which interest them.
• Watches small toy pulled along floor across room 10 feet away.
• Out of doors watches movements of people, animals, motor cars, etc., with prolonged intent regard.
• Recognises familiars approaching from 20 feet or more away.
• Uses both hands freely, but may show preference for one.
• Clicks two bricks together in imitation.
• Watches rolling balls 21/8 inches at 10 feet.

Hearing & speech:

• Knows and immediately turns to own name.
• Babbles loudly, tunefully and incessantly.
• Shows by suitable movements and behaviour that they understand several words in usual context (e.g. own and family names, walk, dinner, cat, cup, spoon, ball, car).
• Comprehends simple commands associated with gesture (give it to daddy, come to mummy, say bye bye, clap hands, etc.)
• Imitates adult’s playful vocalisations with gleeful enthusiasm.
• May hand examine common objects on request, e.g. spoon, cup, ball, shoe.
• Immediate response to baby tests at 3–41/2 feet but rapidly habituates.

Social behaviour & play:

• Drinks from cup with little assistance.
• Chews.
• Holds spoon but usually cannot use it alone.
• Helps with dressing by holding out arm for sleeve and foot for shoe.
• Takes objects to mouth less often.
• Puts wooden cubes in and out of cup or box.
• Rattles spoon in cup in imitation.
• Seizes bell by handle and rings briskly in imitation, etc.
• Listens with obvious pleasure to percussion sounds.
• Repeats activities to reproduce effects.
• Gives toys to adult on request and sometimes spontaneously.
• Finds hidden toy quickly.
• Likes to be constantly within sight and hearing of adult.
• Demonstrates affection to familiars.
• Waves ‘bye-bye’ and claps hands in imitation or spontaneously.
• Child sits, or sometimes stands without support, while adult dresses.

Source: Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects No 102. HMSO 1960, revised 1975.

• Walks unevenly with feet wide apart, arms slightly flexed and held above head or at shoulder level to balance.
• Starts alone, but frequently stopped by falling or bumping into furniture.
• Lets self down from standing to sitting by collapsing backwards with bump, or occasionally by falling forward on hands and then back to sitting.
• Can get to feet alone.
• Crawls upstairs.
• Kneels unaided or with slight support on floor and in pram, cot and bath.
• May be able to stoop to pick up toys from floor.

Vision & fine movements:

• Picks up string, small object and crumbs neatly between thumb and finger.
• Builds tower of two cubes after demonstration.
• Grasps crayon and imitates scribble after demonstration.
• Looks with interest at pictures in book and pats page.
• Follows with eyes path of cube or small toy swept vigorously from table.
• Watches small toy pulled across floor up to 12 feet.
• Points imperiously to objects he wishes to be given.
• Stands at window and watches events outside intently for several minutes.
• Watches and retrieves rolling balls of 21/8 inches at 10 feet.

Hearing & speech:

• Jabbers loudly and freely, using wide range of inflections and phonetic units.
• Speaks 2–6 recognisable words and understands many more.
• Vocalises wishes and needs at table. Points to familiar persons, animals, toys, etc., when requested.
• Understands and obeys simple commands (e.g. shut the door, give me the ball, get your shoes).

Social Behaviour & play:

• Holds cup when adult gives and takes back.
• Holds spoon, brings it to mouth and licks it, but cannot prevent its turning over.
• Chews well.
• Helps more constructively with dressing.
• Indicates when has wet underwear.
• Pushes large wheeled toy with handle on level ground.
• Seldom takes toy to mouth.
• Repeatedly casts objects to floor in play or rejection, usually without watching fall.
• Physically restless and intensely curious.
• Handles everything within reach.
• Closely dependent upon adult’s reassuring presence.
• Needs constant supervision to protect child from dangers of extended exploration of environment.

Source: Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects No 102. HMSO 1960, revised 1975.

• Walks well with feet only slightly apart, starts and stops safely.
• Runs stifly upright, eyes fixed on ground 1–2 yards ahead, but cannot continue to run round obstacles.
• Pushes and pulls large toys, boxes, etc., round floor.
• Can carry large doll or teddy-bear while walking and sometimes two.
• Backs into small chair or slides in sideways.
• Climbs forward into adult’s chair then turns round and sits.
• Walks upstairs with helping hand.
• Creeps backwards down stairs.
• Occasionally bumps down a few steps on buttocks facing forwards.
• Picks up toy from floor without falling.

Vision & fine movements:

• Picks up small objects, beads, pins, threads, etc., immediately on sight, with delicate pincer grasp.
• Spontaneous scribble when given crayon and paper, using preferred hand.
• Builds tower of three cubes after demonstration.
• Enjoys simple picture book, often recognising and putting finger on coloured items on page.
• Turns pages 2 or 3 at a time.
• Fixes eyes on a small dangling toy up to 10 feet. (May tolerate this test with each eye separately.)
• Points to distant interesting objects out of doors.
• Watches and retrieves rolling balls 2–1/2 inches at 10 feet.
• Possibly recognises special miniature toys at 10 feet.

Hearing & speech:

• Continues to jabber tunefully to self at play.
• Uses 6–20 recognisable words and understands many more.
• Echoes prominent or last word addressed to them.
• Demands desired objects by pointing accompanied by loud, urgent vocalisation or single words.
• Enjoys nursery rhymes and tries to join in. Attempts to sing.
• Shows own or doll’s hair, shoe, nose (Possibly special 5 toy test. Possibly 4 animals picture test.)

Social behaviour & play:

• Lifts and holds cup between both hands.
• Drinks without spilling.
• Hands cup back to adult.
• Holds spoon and gets food to mouth. Takes off shoes, socks, hat.
• Indicates toilet needs by restlessness and vocalisation.
• Bowel control usually attained.
• Explores environment energetically.
• No longer takes toys to mouth.
• Remembers where objects belong.
• Casts objects to floor in play or anger less often.
• Briefly imitates simple activities, e.g. reading book, kissing doll, brushing floor.
• Plays contentedly alone, but likes to be near adult.
• Emotionally still very dependent upon familiar adult.
• Alternates between clinging and resistance.

Source: Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects No 102. HMSO 1960, revised 1975.

• Runs safely on whole foot, stopping and starting with ease and avoiding obstacles.
• Squats to rest or to play with object on ground and rises to feet without using hands.
• Walks backwards pulling large toy. Pulls wheeled toy by cord.
• Climbs on furniture to look out of window or open doors, etc., and can get down again.
• Walks upstairs and down holding on to rail and wall; two feet to a step.
• Throws small ball without falling.
• Walks into large ball when trying to kick it.
• Sits astride large wheeled toy and propels forward with feet on ground.

Vision & fine movements:

• Picks up pins and thread, etc., neatly and quickly.
• Removes paper wrapping from small sweet.
• Builds lower of six cubes (or 6+).
• Spontaneous circular scribble and dots when given paper and pencil. Imitates vertical line (and sometimes V).
• Enjoys picture books, recognising fine details in favourite pictures.
• Turns pages singly.
• Recognises familiar adults in photograph after once shown.
• Hand preference becoming evident.
• Immediately catches sight of, and names special miniature toys at 10 feet distance. Will now usually tolerate this test with each eye separately.
• Watches and retrieves rolling balls 2 – 1/8 inches at 10 feet.

Hearing & speech:

• Uses 50 or more recognisable words and understands many more.
• Puts 2 or more words together to form simple sentences.
• Refers to self by name.
• Talks to self continually as they play.
• Echo(s) a almost constant, with one or more stressed words repeated.
• Constantly asking names of objects.
• Joins in nursery rhymes and songs.
• Shows correctly and repeats words for hair, hand, feet, nose, eyes, mouth, shoe on request.
• 6 toy test, 4 animals picture test.

Social behaviour & play:

• Lifts and drinks from cup and replaces on table.
• Spoon-feeds without spilling.
• Asks for food and drink. Chews competently.
• Puts on hat and shoes.
• Verbalises toilet needs in reasonable time.
• Dry during day.
• Turns door handles.
• Often runs outside to explore.
• Follows carer round and copies domestic activities in simultaneous play.
• Engages in simple make-believe activities.
• Constantly demanding carer’s attention.
• Clings lightly in affection, fatigue or fear.
• Tantrums when frustrated but attention readily distracted.
• Defends own possessions with determination.
• As yet no idea of sharing.
• Plays near other children but not with them.
• Resentful of attention shown to other children.

Source: Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects No 102. HMSO 1960, revised 1975.

• Walks upstairs alone but downstairs holding rail, two feet to a step.
• Runs well straight forward and climbs easy nursery apparatus.
• Pushes and pulls large toys skilfully, but has difficulty in steering them round obstacles.
• Jumps with two feet together.
• Can stand on tiptoe if shown.
• Kicks large ball.
• Sits on tricycle and steers with hands, but still usually propels with feet on ground.

Vision & fine movements:

• Picks up pins, threads, etc., with each eye covered separately.
• Builds tower of seven (or 7+) cubes and lines blocks to form a ‘train’.
• Recognises minute details in picture books.
• Imitates horizontal line and circle (also usually T and V).
• Paints strokes, dots and circular shapes on easel.
• Recognises self in photographs when once shown.
• Recognises miniature toys and retrieves balls 21/8 inches at 10 feet, each eye separately.
• May also match special single letter-cards V, O, T, H at 10 feet.

Hearing & speech:

• Uses 200 or more recognisable words but speech shows numerous infantilisms.
• Knows full name.
• Talks intelligibly to self at play concerning events happening here and now.
• Echolalia persists.
• Continually asking questions beginning ‘What?’,‘Where?’.
• Uses pronouns, I, me and you.
• Stuttering in eagerness common. Says a few nursery rhymes.
• Enjoys simple familiar stories read from picture book.
• 6 toy test, 4 animal picture test, 1st cube test. Full doll vocabulary.

Social behaviour & play:

• Eats skilfully with spoon and may use fork.
• Pulls down underwear at toilet, but seldom able to replace.
• Dry through night if lifted.
• Very active, restless and rebellious.
• Throws violent tantrums and when thwarted or unable to express urgent need and less easily distracted.
• Emotionally still very dependent upon adults.
• Prolonged domestic make-believe play (putting dolls to bed, washing clothes, driving motor cars, etc.) but with frequent reference to friendly adult.
• Watches other children at play interestedly and occasionally joins in for a few minutes, but little notion of sharing playthings or adult’s attention.

Source: Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects No 102. HMSO 1960, revised 1975.

• Walks alone upstairs with alternating feet and downstairs with two feet to step.
• Usually jumps from bottom step.
• Climbs nursery apparatus with agility.
• Can turn round obstacles and corners while running and also while pushing and pulling large toys.
• Rides tricycle and can turn wide corners on it.
• Can walk on tiptoe.
• Stands momentarily on one foot when shown.
• Sits with feet crossed at ankles.

Vision & fine movements:

• Picks up pins, threads, etc., with each eye covered separately.
• Builds tower of nine cubes, also (31/2 ) bridge of three from model.
• Can close fist and wiggle thumb in imitation.
• R and L.
• Copies circle (also V, H, T). Imitates cross.
• Draws person with head and usually indication of features or one other part.
• Matches two or three primary colours (usually red and yellow correct, but may confuse blue and green).
• Paints ‘pictures’ with large brush on easel.
• Cuts with scissors.
• Recognises special miniature toys at 10 feet. Performs single-letter vision test at 10 feet. Five letters.

Hearing & speech:

• Large intelligible vocabulary but speech still shows many infantile phonetic substitutions.
• Gives full name and sex, and (sometimes) age.
• Uses plurals and pronouns.
• Still talks to self in long monologues mostly concerned with the immediate present, including make-believe activities.
• Carries on simple conversations, and verbalises past experiences.
• Asks many questions beginning ‘What?’, ‘Where?’, ‘Who?’.
• Listens eagerly to stories and demands favourites over and over again.
• Knows several nursery rhymes.
• 7 toy test, 4 animals picture test. 1st or 2nd cube test, 6 ‘high frequency’ word pictures.

Social behaviour & play:

• Eats with fork and spoon.
• Washes hands, but needs supervision in drying.
• Can pull underwear down and up, but needs help with buttons. Dry through night.
• General behaviour more amenable. Affectionate and confiding.
• Likes to help with adult’s activities.
• Makes effort to keep their surroundings tidy.
• Vividly realised make-believe play including invented people and objects.
• Enjoys floor play with bricks, boxes, alone or with siblings.
• Joins in play with other children in and outdoors.
• Understands sharing playthings, treats, etc.
• Shows affection for younger siblings.
• Shows some appreciation of past and present.

Source: Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects No 102. HMSO 1960, revised 1975.

• Turns sharp corners running, pushing and pulling.
• Walks alone up and downstairs, one foot per step.
• Climbs ladders and trees.
• Can run on tiptoe.
• Expert rider of tricycle.
• Hops on one foot.
• Stands on one foot 3–5 seconds.
• Arranges or picks up objects from floor by bending from waist with knees extended.

Vision & fine movements:

• Picks up pins, thread, crumbs, etc., with each eye covered separately.
• Builds tower of 10 or more cubes and several ‘bridges’ of three on request.
• Builds three steps with six cubes after demonstration.
• Imitates spreading of hand and bringing thumb into opposition with each finger in turn, R and L. Copies cross (also V, H, T and O).
• Draws person with head, legs, features, trunk and (often) arms.
• Draws very simple house.
• Matches and names four primary colours correctly.
• Single-letter vision test at 10 feet, seven letters: also near chart to bottom.

Hearing & speech:

• Speech completely intelligible.
• Shows only a few infantile substitutions usually k/t/th/f/s and r/l/w/y groups).
• Gives connected account of recent events and experiences.
• Gives name, gender, home address and (usually) age.
• Eternally asking questions ‘Why?‘ ‘When?’, ‘How?’ and meanings of words.
• Listens to and tells long stories sometimes confusing fact and fantasy.
• 7 toy test, 1st picture vocabulary test, 2nd cube test. 6 ‘high frequency’ word pictures.

Social behaviour & play:

• Eats skilfully with spoon and fork.
• Washes and dries hands. Brushes teeth.
• Can undress and dress except for back buttons, laces and ties.
• General behaviour markedly self-willed.
• Inclined to verbal impertinence when wishes crossed but can be affectionate and compliant.
• Strongly dramatic play and dressing-up favoured.
• Constructive out-of-doors building with any large material to hand.
• Needs other children to play with and is alternately co-operative and aggressive with them as with adults.
• Understands taking turns.
• Shows concern for younger siblings and sympathy for playmates in distress.
• Appreciates past, present and future.

Source: Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects No 102. HMSO 1960, revised 1975.

Posture & large movements:

• Runs lightly on toes.
• Active and skilful in climbing, sliding, swinging, digging and various ‘stunts’.
• Skips on alternative feet.
• Dances to music.
• Can stand on one foot 8–10 seconds.
• Can hop 2–3 yards forwards on each foot separately.
• Grips strongly with either hand.

Vision & fine movements:

• Picks up minute objects when each eye is covered separately.
• Builds three steps with six cubes from model.
• Copies square and triangle (also letters; V, T, H, O, X, L, A, C, U, Y).
• Writes a few letters spontaneously. Draws recognisable person with head, trunk, legs, arms and features.
• Draws simple house with door, windows, roof and chimney.
• Counts fingers on one hand with index finger of other.
• Names four primary colours and matches 10 or 12 colours.
• Full nine-letter vision chart at 20 feet and near test to bottom.

Hearing & speech:

• Speech fluent and grammatical.
• Articulation correct except for residual confusions of s/f/th and r/l/w/y groups.
• Loves stories and acts them out in detail later.
• Gives full name, age and home address.
• Gives age and (usually) birthday.
• Defines concrete nouns by use.
• Asks meaning of abstract words.
• 12 ‘high frequency’ picture vocabulary or word lists. 3rd cube test, 6 sentences.

Social behaviour & play:

• Uses knife and fork.
• Washes and dries face and hands, but needs help and supervision for rest.
• Undresses and dresses alone.
• General behaviour more sensible, controlled and responsibly independent.
• Domestic and dramatic play continued from day to day.
• Plans and builds constructively.
• Floor games very complicated.
• Chooses own friends.
• Co-operative with companions and understands need for rules and fair play.
• Appreciates meaning of clock time in relation to daily programme.
• Tender and protective towards younger children and pets.
• Comforts playmates in distress.

Source: Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects No 102. HMSO 1960, revised 1975.