By: Michelle, Rachel, Shanna, and Jamie

INFANT ASSESSMENT

(0-12 MONTHS)

Cognitive Activity

• Pay attention to sights and sounds.• Look for dropped object.• Gaze at and track an object with his/her eyes.• Act to trigger a pleasing sight, sound or motion, such as kicking at a mobile; repeat actions many times to cause a desired effect.• Show curiosity about things and try to get things that are out of reach.• Imitate sounds; imitate actions, such as clapping hands, pushing a toy.• Search for a hidden object.

Math:Play with toys and things of different sizes and shapes.• Anticipate “more” during routines.

Cognitive AssessmentScience:Use the senses (mouthing, watching, grasping, reaching) to get information and explore what’s nearby.• Use more than one sense at a time, such as when looking at, feeling and shaking a rattle.• Repeat behaviors to figure out cause and effect. For example, a toy released high always goes down (law of gravity).• Enjoy filling containers and dumping them out.• Show interest in animals and pictures of animals.

Social Studies:• Show interest in people.• Notice daily routines.

Arts:• Gaze at pictures, photos and mirror images.• Show interest in sounds, tones, voices, music, colors and shapes.• Notice and move to music and/or rhythms.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/154193-infant-cognitive-development-activities/http://www.del.wa.gov/publications/development/docs/guidelines.pdf

Physical ActivityOne to Three Month Old Infant

• Infants will learn to turn their heads to preferred positions when lying on their stomachs or backs

• Infants will be able to hold their chins up when lying on their stomachs

• Infants will learn to roll from side to side by three months.

• Infants will learn to reach out and swipe at objects that are within their field of view.

• Infants will start producing tears when they cry

Four to Seven Month Old Infant• Infants will be able to hold an

object in their hands and bring it to their mouths. They will eventually learn to pass an object from one hand to the other.

• Infants will be able to push their heads and shoulders up and rest their weight on their forearms when they are lying on their stomachs.

• Infants in this age group will start drooling and teething.

• Infants will learn to roll from back to side, and then they will learn to roll from stomach to back.

• Infants will learn to pull their feet to their mouth and play or chew on toes.

• Infants may sit unsupported for a brief period of time.

Physical Activity

Eight to Twelve Month Old Infant• Infants will be able to sit alone without

support.• Infants can bang on tables or other surfaces

with an object.• Infants will start crawling, either with their

abdomen on, or off, of the floor.• Infants will learn to pull themselves up to a

standing position, and eventually stand alone.

• Infants will learn how to change positions, such as going from lying to sitting.

• Infants can learn to drink from a cup.

Physical AssessmentDocument:

• General appearance & behavior

Facial expression

• Posture / movement

• Behavior

• Parent observation

• Classroom observation

• Document with camera and take notes of changes in physical ability

• Take note of what child is unable to do

6 month old checklist/observationLay baby on back and leave toys around him/her. Then observe to see if baby crawls, sits up or reaches for objects. • Sits briefly by self• sits in high chair• stands briefly while leaning on

furniture• rolls over both ways• digs in with toes and hands to

move toward toy• reaches precisely• points at toys• manipulates blocks• uses whole hand to pick up small

objects with thumb and fingers

Social/emotional Assessment Checklist

One to Two Months of Age:  During the first 3 months, an infant's socialization is based around activities of feeding, sleeping, elimination, and body positioning. The infant also begins early stages of learning to self-regulate. In other words, to tune out when there is too much stimulus and then arouse when something of interest comes about. The infant will do such things as react to paper being put over his or her face and show recognition to mother or other familiar and favorite caregivers. Notes:

Adapted from: Allen, K.E. & Marotz, I. (1989). Developmental profiles: Birth to six. Delmar Publisher Inc.www.pediatricbehavior.com/ChildDev/infantsocialdev.htm

Social/emotional Assessment Checklist

Three to Four Months of Age: Reaches for familiar people. Identifying self in mirror. Plays actively with small toy. Plays by pulling something over face (peek-a-boo). Plays while propped with toys for 10-15 minutes.

Five to Six Months of Age: Sometime between 4-6 months, the infant begins exchanging interactions with the caregiver. The child may smile in response to being smiled at, as well as begin to play simple back and forth games, such as peek-a-boo. The infant also begins cooperating with spoon feeding, dressing, and other daily activities. Common behaviors you might see include: Smiles at self in mirror. Discriminates strangers from familiar people. Works for toy out of reach. Reaches for self in mirror.

Social/emotional Assessment Checklist

Seven to Nine Months of Age: During the 7-9 month time period, the infant begins to initiate activities. The infant will work to gain the caregiver's attention, will strain to reach an object out of reach on the floor, and to perform other behaviors to manipulate the environment. Some common behaviors include: Clings to familiar people and hides face. Plays with or reaches for self or object in mirror by 12 months. Cooperates with adult in games. Bites and chews toys.

Ten to Twelve Months of Age : During the ten to twelve month period, the infant begins checking self need against caregiver availability. In other words, the infant will look to the primary caregiver and cry when hungry, or look for the caregiver to comfort a hurt or when bored. Common behaviors at this age include: Recognizes familiar people from a distance of 20 feet. Beginning to demand independence. Demands personal attention. Mouthing toys and items less.

Language AssessmentBabies may not be talking throughout these months of their life but they are using language to communicate. Babies soak information up like sponges.By the end of three months old an infant may:• Smile when you appear• Be startled when hearing a loud sound• Coo• Quiet or smile when being talked to• Recognize your voice• Let out different cries for different needs

Language AssessmentInfants grow rapidly and are learning so much about the world they are just seeing for the first time.By the end of six months an infant may:• Making gurgling sounds when

playing or when alone• Use repetition when talking “Ba Ba”• Use voice to express pleasure or

displeasure• Move eyes in the direction of sound• Respond to changes in the tone of

voice you are using• Notice toys make sounds• Pay attention to music

Language AssessmentThe next six months a lot of language growth happens.By a year old an infant may:• Try to imitate words• Say a few words (Dada,

Mama, Uh-oh)• Understand simple

instructions• Understand No• Turn and look in the

direction of sounds• Use sign language

Infants start using language as soon as they are born.The first thing you hear from your baby is a cry. Since an infant has no words, this is how they communicate for the first few weeks.When a child Coo’s, smiles, babbles, or uses expressions, this is all language.At the age of 12 months children understand simple commands. Children often understand more language than what they are able to use.Infants need to be talked to. Children learn to communicate best when they are talked to and communicated with. 

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/ehs/perf_measures/reports/resources_measuring/res_meas_cdiff.htmlhttp://www.brazelton-institute.com/intro.html.

Possible Signs of Developmental Delays

By age 2 months, your baby:

• Doesn’t respond to loud sounds

• Doesn’t watch things as they move

• Doesn’t smile at people

• Doesn’t bring hands to mouth

• Can’t hold head up when pushing up, when on tummy

By age 4 months, your baby:

• Doesn’t watch things as they move

• Doesn’t smile at people

• Can’t hold head steady

• Doesn’t coo or make sounds

• Doesn’t bring things to mouth

• Doesn’t push down with legs when feet are placed on a hard surface

• Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions

By age 6 months, your baby:•Doesn’t try to get things that are in reach•Shows no affection for caregivers•Doesn’t respond to sounds around him or her•Has difficulty getting things to mouth•Seems very floppy•Doesn’t make vowel sounds (such as “ah,” “eh,” “oh”)•Doesn’t roll over in either direction•Doesn’t laugh or make squealing sounds•Seems very stiff, with tight muscles

By age 9 months, your baby:•Doesn’t bear weight on legs with support•Doesn’t sit with help•Doesn’t babble (“mama,” “baba,” “dada”)•Doesn’t play any games involving back and-forth play•Doesn’t respond to own name•Doesn’t seem to recognize familiar people•Doesn’t look where you point•Doesn’t transfer toys from one hand to the other

Thank

you!