Developmental Milestones in Occupational Therapy: A Quick Reference Guide for Ages 3-5

Developmental Milestones in Occupational Therapy

When it comes to developmental milestones, knowing where to look for growth and how to measure progress may seem confusing. However, by learning what everyday tasks you can practice at home, you can make sure that your child is hitting milestones and having fun while doing it!

FINE MOTOR

	AGE 3	AGE 4	AGE 5
CUTTING	Imitates cross-cuts with scissors crudely	Able to cut along straight line without much deviation	Cuts with scissors well
COLORING	Copies circle	Copies square and cross	Copies triangle
	Copies vertical and horizontal lines	Draws a person with 2-4 body parts	Able to color within the lines of more complicated figures (i.e. in a coloring book)
LACING	Can complete a simple lacing card	Ties in a single knot	Can complete more complicated patterns
	Can string ½ inch beads
GRASP	Shows hand preference	Holds writing utensil and markers with fingers in modified tripod or quadruped position	Uses static tripod pencil grasp
	Uses several pencil grasp patterns
HANDWRITING	Copy simple and familiar letters	Writes first part of name	Writes first name
		May be able to write name without sample	Copies most lower and uppercase letters

ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (ADLs)

	AGE 3	AGE 4	AGE 5
DRESSING	Puts on coat and can zip up if already connected	Able to connect zipper and pull up with practice	Independent dressing
	Puts on t-shirt with a little help	Puts socks on
	Opens buttons	Closes buttons
HYGIENE	Wipes face with cloth	Washes face and hands independently	Bathes independently (with supervision for safety)
	Washes hands with some guidance	Child will begin to assist with hair brushing
ORAL CARE	Child will begin to assist with brushing teeth	Brushes teeth alone (but may need help to do a thorough job)	Brushes teeth independently (with reminders to complete task)
FEEDING	Independent eating	Uses fork well	Spreads with knife
	Develop likes and dislikes
SHOES	Puts on shoes (no laces), though right and left orientation may be incorrect	Can lace shoes	Able to put on and take off shoes independently
TOILETING	Toilet trained	Goes to toilet alone and wipes after bowel movement	Toilets self independently
PLAY	Parallel play (emerging associate play)	Associate play	Cooperative play
	Plays make-believe with dolls and other toys (emerging use of imagination)	Shares and understands how to take turns appropriately during play	Play pretend with other children (i.e. roleplay, imaginative play)

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & VISUALS

Parallel Play:

The child plays alongside but not with others

Associate Play:

The child begins to interact with other children during play activities

Cooperative Play:

The child plays with others and expresses interest in a common activity

REFERENCES

Aasl. (2018, November 27). 7 developmental handwriting milestones. Retrieved February 27, 2021, from https://www.growinghandsonkids.com/pencil-grasp-development-for-writing.html
Rock, A. (2021, January 15). Important types of play in your child’s development. Retrieved March 01, 2021, from https://www.verywellfamily.com/types-of-play-2764587
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (2014, May 05). Developmental milestones. Retrieved March 02, 2021, from https://www.chop.edu/primary-care/developmental-milestones
The 6 stages of how kids learn to play: Child development. (2020, November 24). Retrieved March 01, 2021, from https://pathways.org/kids-learn-play-6-stages-play-development/
Typical development of bathing and grooming skills. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2021, from http://www.kamloopschildrenstherapy.org/bathing-grooming-skills

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Developmental Milestones in Occupational Therapy

FINE MOTOR

ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (ADLs)

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & VISUALS

Parallel Play:

Associate Play:

Cooperative Play:

REFERENCES

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