Developmental milestones:
birth to 36 months

Because children learn new concepts visually and are motivated by people and objects that they see, children with visual impairments develop skills at a different rate and in a different sequence than children without visual impairments.

The following developmental milestones* can serve as a general outline of skills that you can expect your child to master.

Cognitive
Imitates sounds, gestures, or actions; Shows displeasure at loss of toy or object; Demonstrates object permanence; Begins to demonstrate cause and effect

Communication
Smiles; Makes eye or face contact; Babbles; Laughs; Says first word; Understands “no”; Responds to own name

Gross Motor (large muscles)
Controls head; Rolls over; Sits; Crawls

Fine Motor (small muscles)
Brings hands together; Grasps objects; Reaches for toys; Searches for a dropped toy; Explores objects

Self-Help
Eats with spoon; Holds and drinks from bottle; Eats some finger foods

Sensory
Focuses on and follows objects; Turns to sound; Explores objects by touch

Social
Makes eye or face contact; Smiles; Recognizes and reaches for parents and family members; Cries when parent leaves
 

Cognitive
Imitates use of toy; Points to body parts; Demonstrates memory; Uses objects as tools; Uses trial and error

Communication
Uses gestures; Uses 2-word sentences; Follows simple directions; Names familiar objects and people

Gross Motor (large muscles)
Pulls to stand; Walks; Climbs into adult-size chairs; Rolls, then throws balls

Fine Motor (small muscles)
Releases objects on purpose; Uses pincer grasp (thumb and index finger); Scribbles; Puts objects inside containers; Completes simple form board puzzles; Turns pages of books; Uses Wrist rotation (turns doorknobs, jar lids, etc.)

Self-Help
Drinks from cups; Removes some clothing independently; Indicates toilet needs; Anticipates some daily routines

Sensory
Identifies hot and cold; Identifies familiar sounds and odors; Recognizes objects by touch; Explores objects or surfaces with feet

Social
Plays interactive games with adults and independently; Hugs; Repeats actions that others laugh at; Engages in fantasy play

 

Cognitive
Matches objects; Remembers past events; Begins to sort objects by size, color, texture, and shape; Tells use of objects

Communication
Uses “I” and “me”; Asks questions; Understands some spatial concepts (on, next to, on top of); Begins to use imagination

Gross Motor (large muscles)
Walks up and down stairs; Begins to run and jump; Balances on one foot

Fine Motor (small muscles)
Stacks objects; Copies geometric figures (either tactually or visually); Strings beads; Sorts objects by size and texture

Self-Help
Puts on some clothing independently; Puts toys away; Partially or fully toilet trained

Sensory
Recognizes places or activities by odors or sounds; “Tracks” braille (follows along in book or on label); Identifies textures

Social
Interacts with peers; Shows signs of ownership; Asks for help

*Adapted from Children With Visual Impairments: A Parents’ Guide. Please see the Recommended Reading section for more information.

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