Communication DEALL development checklists

a. Gross motor

Age Group Item Items

range no.
36 Hangs from horizontal bar bearing own weight on arms.
66 -72 XII 35 Stands on one foot with no support and eyes closed.
months 34 Picks up object from ground while running.
33 Rides on bicycle.
60 – 66 XI 32 Catches soft ball with one hand.
months 31 Climbs step ladders or steps 10 feet high to the slide.
30 Can participate in bat and ball games successfully.
54 – 60 X 29 Uses legs with good strength and ease.
months 28 Walks on a balance board with support.
27 Hops.
48 – 54 IX 26 Runs changing directions.
months 25 Swings independently.
24 Moves backward and forward with agility.
42 – 48 VIII 23 Increased skill in ball games – throws, Catches bounces and kicks with an
months idea of where the ball is going.
22 Runs around obstacles.
21 Swings on swing when set in motion.
36 – 42 VII 20 Goes up stairs and down stairs without support.
months 19 Runs and play active games.
30 – 36 18 Unwraps small objects.
months VI 17 Rolls clay balls.
16 Performs running and jumping activities confidently.
15 Throws a ball over head.
24–30 V 14 Ties to catch a large ball.
months 13 Jumps off floor with both feet.
12 Runs fairly well.
18 –24 IV 11 Walks up and down the stairs with help.
months 10 Able to get on to chairs without assistance.
9 Throws ball forward.
12 – 18 III 8 Bends down forward.
months 7 Carries, pushes or pulls toys / objects.
6 Claps hands.
6 – 12 II 5 Bounces when held standing.
months 4 Crawls/ creeps.
3 Raises head and shoulder from a face down position.
0–6 I 2 Watches own hand.
months 1 Eyes follow moving object or person.
 Communication DEALL development checklists

b. Fine motor

Age Group Item Items

range no.
36 Likes to disassemble and reassemble objects/dress and undress dolls.
66 -72 XII 35 Colors within lines.
months 34 Prints numerals 1 to 5
33 Can copy small letters.
60 – 66 XI 32 Able to fold the paper in to two halves.
months 31 Uses fingers and wrist appropriately to write.
30 Makes precise marks with crayon confined to small area.
54 – 60 X 29 Reaches and grasps in one continuous movement.
months 28 Enjoys manipulating play objects that have fine parts.
27 Enjoys art projects such as pasting and stringing beads.
48 – 54 IX 26 Winds up toy by turning knob.
months 25 Begins to copy some capital letters.
24 Participates in songs and finger play, both familiar and new ones.
42 – 48 VIII 23 Good control of pencil which is held like adults.
months 22 Manipulates clay materials (rolls balls; snakes, etc.).
21 Opens rotating doors handles.
36 – 42 VII 20 Holds crayon with thumb and finger.
months 19 Tries new art media such as chalk with eagerness and an exploratory attitude.
30 – 36 18 Rolls, pounds, squeeze and pulls clay.
months VI 17 Pours liquids with some spills.
16 Uses one hand consistently in most activities.
15 Makes own designs o spontaneous forms in drawing.
24–30 V 14 Turns one page at a time.
months 13 Opens doors.
12 Can pick threads, pins.
18 –24 IV 11 Opens cabinet, drawers, and boxes.
months 10 Scribbles spontaneously.
9 Points to recognized object.
12 – 18 III 8 Picks up crumbs from floor.
months 7 Able to hold and manipulate objects with both hands together.
6 Bangs object on table.
6 – 12 II 5 Reaches and takes object placed at a distance.
months 4 Attempts to play with tiny objects like bottle lid / piece of paper.
3 Clenches immediately when something is placed on medial side of the palm.
0–6 I 2 Puts everything in mouth.
months 1 Clenches fist.
 Communication DEALL development checklists

c. Activities of daily living

Age Group Item Items

range no.
66 -72 36 Develops strong food preference.
months XII 35 Finds correct bathroom in public.
34 Uses phones.
60 – 66 33 Shows interest in household activities.
months XI 32 Performs simple cleaning.
31 Cuts soft food.
54 – 60 30 Performs routines without assistance.
months X 29 Combs and brushes hair.
28 Throws pieces of paper and rubbish into the waste paper basket.
48 – 54 27 Ready to learn table manners.
months IX 26 Pulls zipper up and down with ease.
25 Begins to be selective about what to wear.
42 – 48 24 Pour juice from a small pitcher and stop before the juice overflows.
months VIII 23 Washes hand independently.
22 Knows how to use handkerchief.
36 – 42 21 Feeds self with little spilling.
months VII 20 Able to use hands to accomplish many self-help tasks.
19 Wipes nose when reminded.
30 – 36 18 Serves self at table with little spilling.
months VI 17 Insists on doing things independently.
16 Knows proper place for own things.
24–30 15 Wipes nose if given towel.
months V 14 Able to hold spoon with fingers appropriately.
13 Pulls pants up with assistance.
18 –24 12 Gives empty dish to adults.
months IV 11 Able to swallow mixed textures.
10 Uses palm and fingers to fill and eat with spoon.
12 – 18 9 Lifts and drinks from cup/drinks from a sipper.
months III 8 Indicates discomfort over soiled pants verbally or by gesture.
7 Removes cap.
6 – 12 6 Swallows with mouth closed.
months II 5 Holds own bottle.
4 Eats mashed food.
0–6 3 Opens and closes mouth in response to food stimulus.
months I 2 Coordinates sucking, swallowing, breathing.
1 Sucks finger when placed between the lips.
 Communication DEALL development checklists

d. Receptive language

Age Grou Item Items

range p no.
36 Understands TV commercials.
66 -72 XII 35 Listens to another speaker if information is new and of interest.
months 34 Has an awareness of socially appropriate uses of communication.
33 Understands some jokes, surprise, make-believe/ pretend.
60 – 66 XI 32 Understands time sequences (what happened first, second, third etc.).
months 31 Understands more quantity concepts (whole, half).
30 Knows secondary colors such as pink, brown etc.
54 – 60 X 29 Understands opposites.
months 28 Understands sequencing of events.
27 Knows different between top and bottom.
48 – 54 IX 26 Understands complex directions e.g., point to a dog that is black/ sleeping/ in the box.
months 25 Hears and understands most of what is said at home and in school.
24 Understands word that relate one idea to another if, why, when.
42 – 48 VIII 23 Understands “now” “soon” and “later”.
months 22 Understands numbers and space concepts – more, less, bigger, in, under, behind.
21 Identifies hard/soft.
36 – 42 VII 20 Understands directions words – responds to directional words such as around,
months backward, forward.
19 Understands three –step directions, such as,“please pick up your book from the floor
and put it on the top shelf”.
30 – 36 18 Shows interest in the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of things.
months VI 17 Understands common objectives – nice, pretty, hot.
16 Understands prepositions such as ‘on’ , ‘ under’, ‘front’, ‘behind’, etc.
15 Can name objects when told their use, for e.g. “something that you cut with”.
24–30 V 14 Understands the meaning of kinship terms like ‘grandma’ ‘uncle aunty’.
months 13 Understands the meaning of most common verbs like ‘eat’ ‘drink’ ‘sleep’ ‘wash’ etc.
12 Listens to short rhymes.
18 –24 IV 11 Recognizes names of familiar people and objects.
months 10 Listens as pictures are named.
9 Responds accurately to action commands like “sit down” and “Stop that”.
12 – 18 III 8 Selects and bring familiar objects from another room when asked.
months 7 Follows simple one step commands e.g. Get your toy.
6 Understands ‘no’ and ‘bye bye’.
6 – 12 II 5 Appears to listen to conversations between others.
months 4 Pays some attention to music/songs.
0–6 3 Comforted by a friendly familiar voice.
months I 2 Looks at you with interest when you talk to him.
1 Startle response to sudden loud noises.
 Communication DEALL development checklists

e. Expressive language

Age Group Item Items

range no.
66 -72 36 Remembers line of simple poems, repeats full sentences and expressions from
months XII others.
35 Socialized speech begins – children talk about other people as well as about
themselves.
34 Remembers lines from television shows and commercials.
60 – 66 33 Uses all sounds correctly.
months XI 32 Names 3 basic shapes.
31 Names 6 basic colors.
30 Asks meaning of words.
54 – 60 X 29 Possessive pronouns “his, her” emerging.
months 28 Responds appropriately to “how often “and “how long” question.
27 Can control volume of voice for periods of time if reminded.
48 – 54 IX 26 Like to tell others about family and experiences.
months 25 Learns new vocabulary quickly if related to own experience.
24 Conjunction “because” emerging.
42 – 48 VIII 23 Reflective pronouns “myself” emerging.
months 22 Appropriately answers “what if “questions.
21 Corrects others.
36 – 42 VII 20 Requests permission.
months 19 Answers 6 -7 agent /action questions like “why are you running”.
30 – 36 18 Answers “who “questions.
months VI 17 Answers “where” questions.
16 Uses several verb forms – eating, drinking, sleeping, etc.
15 Uses 2 word combination (me go, more bikki).
24–30 V 14 Names 5 pictures.
months 13 Asks for help with personal needs such as “wash hands”, ‘do susu”.
12 Says names of toys.
18 –24 IV 11 Names 3 pictures.
months 10 Will use “no, not”.
9 Protests when frustrated.
12 – 18 III 8 Asks for something by pointing or by using one word.
months 7 Chatters continuously while playing.
6 Attempts to communicate his/her intentions.
6 – 12 II 5 Vocalizes loudly /shouts for attention.
months 4 Babbles series of sounds that ‘sounds’ like speech.
0–6 3 Makes sucking sounds.
months I 2 Uses vocal expressions of pleasure when played with.
1 Shows random vocalization other than crying.
 Communication DEALL development checklists

f. Cognitive skills

Age Group Item Items

range no.
36 Arranges objects in sequence of width and length.
66 -72 XII 35 Sight reads 10 printed words.
months 34 Says letter of alphabet in order.
33 Prints own first name.
60 – 66 XI 32 Counts up to 20 items and tells how many.
months 31 Interested in environment, city, shops, etc.
30 Retells five facts from story heard 3 times.
54 – 60 X 29 Matches symbols/letters and numerals.
months 28 Tells what’s missing when one object/ picture is removed from a group of three.
27 Tells whether objects are heavier / lighter (less weight).
48 – 54 IX 26 Understands daily routines sequences in correct order.
months 25 Recalls 4 objects seen in a picture.
42 – 48 24 Tells which objects go together.
months VIII 23 Can count meaningfully to 5 (if you place 5 apples on table and ask to count
them, she/he will be able to count those 5 apples).
22 Can recall a three step direction such as “Go find the ball and bring it to me”.
36 – 42 21 Points to long and short objects.
months VII 20 Learns through observation and adult explanation.
19 Enjoys pretend play.
30 – 36 18 Chooses picture books.
months VI 17 Concentrate on activities of choices such as putting objects into a bottle.
16 Enjoys floor play with bricks, boxes, etc. which can be used imaginatively.
24–30 15 Little understanding of the need to wait for something – including attention.
months V 14 Knows where things usually belong.
13 Plays with water and sand (filling and emptying).
18 –24 12 Recognizes self in photograph.
months IV 11 Very curious about surrounding but has little understanding of common dangers.
10 Enjoys picture books and recognizes smaller details.
12 – 18 9 Puts a lid on a pot.
months III 8 Identifies self in mirror.
7 Reacts to various sensations such as extremes in temperature and taste, textures.
6 – 12 6 Looks for an object he/she watched fall out of sight (such as a spoon that falls
months II under the table).
5 Explores objects in many different ways (shaking, banging, throwing, dropping,
finds functional side).
4 Plays 2 -3 minutes with a single toy.
0–6 3 Recognizes mother.
months I 2 Focuses on colorful and moving objects.
1 Recognizes bottle or breast.
 Communication DEALL development checklists

g. Social skills

Age Group Item Items

range no.
66 -72 36 Enjoys school.
months XII 35 Enjoys social gatherings.
34 Knows about giving, receiving, sharing, and playing fairly.
60 – 66 33 Joins in conversations at mealtime.
months XI 32 Chooses own friend.
31 Can follow request.
30 Engages in socially acceptable behavior in public.
54 – 60 X 29 Plays with both boys and girls but prefers the same sex.
months 28 Organizes other children and toys for pretend play.
48 – 54 27 Prefers to play with other children, is competitive.
months IX 26 Shows more independence and wants to do things alone.
25 Develops friendships.
42 – 48 24 Follows rules in group games led by adult.
months VIII 23 Like group activities and time with friends.
22 Use imaginative play.
36 – 42 21 Spends a great deal of time in watching and observing.
months VII 20 Spontaneously shows affection for familiar playmates.
Plays well with others and responds positively if there are favorable conditions
19 in terms of materials, space and supervision (less likely to engage in prosocial
behavior when any of these elements are lacking).
30 – 36 18 Makes a choice when asked.
months VI 17 Says please and thank you when reminded.
16 Participates in circle games; plays interactive games.
24–30 15 Enjoys experimenting with adult activity.
months V 14 Plays side by side with other children, occasionally interacting.
13 Wants to help and please.
18 –24 12 Begins to be helpful, such as by helping to put things away.
months IV 11 Interacts with peers using gestures.
10 Engages in parallel play.
12 – 18 9 Plays ball cooperatively.
months III 8 Ways bye-bye.
7 Plays with other children; seeks interactions with other children.
6 – 12 6 Prefers mother and /or regular caregiver over all others.
months II 5 Generally friendly.
4 Holds arms up to be lifted.
0–6 3 Responds to primary caregiver by smiling.
months I 2 Pats and pulls at adult facial features(hairs, nose, glasses)etc.
1 Looks at human faces.
 Communication DEALL development checklists

h. Emotional skills

Age Group Item Items

range no.
66 -72 36 Begins to cope constructively with various emotional states: rejection,
months XII disappointment, failure, frustration, success, excitement.
35 Sense of safety and belonging is important.
34 Senses growing up and likes it.
60 – 66 33 Tells exactly how he feels: sick, happy, or miserable.
months XI 32 Can easily show love and affection and this does not embarrass him?
31 Enjoys playing age appropriate games but tends to be more competitive and
wants to win.
54 – 60 30 Begins to develop a sense of fairness, e.g., taking turns, sharing a treat.
months X 29 Demonstrates growing confidence in a range of abilities.
28 Has good sense of “mine” and “yours”.
27 Increasingly expresses a sense of self in terms of abilities, characteristics,
48 – 54 IX preferences, and actions e.g., “looks at me! I’m building a castle”.
months 26 Enjoys obedience and thrives on praise.
25 Learns to develop attitudes concerning right and wrong.
24 Can identify his own feelings.
42 – 48 VIII 23 Like talking and word games.
months 22 Enjoys music.
21 Develops a sense of Humour, can laugh at self and others when small accidents
36 – 42 VII happen.
months 20 Labels own feelings and those of others’ based on their facial expression/tone
of voice (looks at a picture in a book and says, “She’s scared”).
19 Understands, at least on a basic level, that feelings have causes (e.g., says,
“Sunny is sad because he can’t find his blanket.)
30 – 36 18 Shows sympathy.
months VI 17 Just beginning a sense of personal identity and belongings.
16 Takes pride in achievements (e.g., I washed my hands by myself, or I did the
puzzle myself).
15 Takes pride in clothing.
24–30 V 14 Recognizes feelings when emotions are labeled by adult (e.g., teacher says, “I
months know you feel scared about that,” and child calms a bit).
13 Increases his or her understanding and use of language related to emotion (e.g.,
says, “Mummy’s happy now.”).
12 Demands parent’s attention.
18 –24 IV 11 Curious about everything.
months 10 Shows preferences of likes and dislikes.
9 Expresses appropriate emotions.
12 – 18 III 8 Shows pleasure when familiar adults are nearby.
months 7 Actively seeks comfort in a person or object when distressed.
6 Shows anger when toy is taken away.
6 – 12 II 5 Laughs at funny faces.
months 4 Smiles and laughs at baby games.
3 Moulds and relaxes body when held, cuddles.
0–6 I 2 Cries to show discomfort or fatigue.
months 1 Most content when near mother/ caregiver.