Developmental Domain 2: Physical Development and Health
Other Illinois Early Learning Guidelines: Birth to Age 3 sets
Other Illinois Early Learning Guidelines: Birth to Age 3 sets
Gross MotorGM
Children demonstrate strength, coordination, and controlled use of large muscles .
- 1
Birth to 9 monthsGM.1
- 1
Lifts head while on tummyGM.1.1
- 2
Brings feet to mouth while lying on backGM.1.2
- 3
Rolls from back to stomach and from stomach to backGM.1.3
- 4
Brings both hands to midline, i.e., center of the bodyGM.1.4
- 5
Begins to gain balance, e.g., sits with and without supportGM.1.5
- 6
Scoots body to attempt to move from one point to anotherGM.1.6
- 1
- 2
7 months to 18 monthsGM.2
- 1
Moves from hands and knees to a sitting positionGM.2.1
- 2
Rocks back and forth on kneesGM.2.2
- 3
Crawls from one point to anotherGM.2.3
- 4
Pulls to a stand using help from furniture or caregiverGM.2.4
- 5
Moves objects with large muscles, e.g., pushes a toy car with legs, rolls a ball GM.2.5
- 6
Cruises while holding on to furniture, e.g., walks around crib, holding on to railingGM.2.6
- 7
Briefly maintains balance when placed in a non-supported standing positionGM.2.7
- 8
Takes steps independently GM.2.8
- 9
Gets into a standing position without supportGM.2.9
- 1
- 3
16 months to 24 monthsGM.3
- 1
Attempts to climb objects, e.g., furniture, steps, simple climbing structuresGM.3.1
- 2
Holds objects or toys while walking, e.g., pulls a car by a string while walking around the roomGM.3.2
- 3
Kicks and attempts to catch a ballGM.3.3
- 4
Rides a toy by using his or her hands or feetGM.3.4
- 1
- 4
21 months to 36 monthsGM.4
- 1
Stands on one foot with support and maintains balance for a brief period of timeGM.4.1
- 2
Jumps forward a few inches; jumps from slightly elevated surface onto the groundGM.4.2
- 3
Walks up and down the stairs by placing both feet on each stepGM.4.3
- 4
Throws a ballGM.4.4
- 5
Walks on tiptoes, walks backward, and runsGM.4.5
- 6
Pedals a tricycle with both feetGM.4.6
- 1
- 1
Fine MotorFM
Children demonstrate the ability to coordinate their small muscles in order to move and control objects.
- 1
Birth to 9 monthsFM.1
- 1
Opens hands when in a relaxed stateFM.1.1
- 2
Reaches for objects FM.1.2
- 3
Grasps, holds, and shakes objectsFM.1.3
- 4
Transfers an object from one hand to the otherFM.1.4
- 5
Uses raking motion with hands to bring objects closer, e.g., uses all fingers to bring small objects closer to bodyFM.1.5
- 6
Holds a small object in each hand; bangs them together FM.1.6
- 1
- 2
7 months to 18 monthsFM.2
- 1
Picks up objects FM.2.1
- 2
Uses pincer grasp, e.g., picks up a Cheerio with thumb and forefingerFM.2.2
- 3
Begins to use simple baby signs (if exposed to baby sign language), e.g., moves hands toward each other to signal moreFM.2.3
- 4
Uses hands in a purposeful manner, e.g., turns the pages of a board book, drops objects into a bucketFM.2.4
- 5
Coordinates increasingly complex hand movements to manipulate objects, e.g., crumples paper, connects and disconnects toy links, flips light switch on and offFM.2.5
- 6
Participates in finger plays, e.g., moves hands to imitate caregiver’s hands when singing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” FM.2.6
- 1
- 3
16 months to 24 monthsFM.3
- 1
Attempts to fold various types of materials, e.g., paper, baby blanketFM.3.1
- 2
Uses baby sign to communicate various concepts, e.g., “all done,” “more,” “water” FM.3.2
- 3
Uses simple tools, e.g., scooper to scoop sand or water, crayon for scribblingFM.3.3
- 4
Begins to imitate lines and circles when drawingFM.3.4
- 5
Controls placement of objects in a more effective manner, e.g., stacks blocks in a more orderly fashionFM.3.5
- 1
- 4
21 months to 36 monthsFM.4
- 1
Begins to use more complicated hand movements, e.g., uses eating utensils independently, stacks blocksFM.4.1
- 2
Attempts to help with dressing self, e.g., snaps buttons, pulls zipper, puts socks and shoes onFM.4.2
- 3
Scribbles with intent and begins to draw circles and lines on ownFM.4.3
- 4
Uses hand-eye coordination in a more controlled manner, e.g., completes puzzles, strings beads togetherFM.4.4
- 1
- 1
PerceptualP
Children demonstrate the ability to distinguish, process, and respond to sensory stimuli in their environment.
- 1
Birth to 9 monthsP.1
- 1
Responds to changes in the environment, e.g., startles when hearing a loud noise, turns head toward lightP.1.1
- 2
Explores objects through senses, e.g., mouths, touches objectsP.1.2
- 3
Attempts to mimic sounds heard in the environmentP.1.3
- 4
Has a range of vision that extends to several feet, which in turn leads to seeing colors and seeing objects from a distanceP.1.4
- 5
Feels the sensation of being touched and looks around to identify the source of the touch, e.g., person or objectP.1.5
- 6
Recognizes familiar objects and begins to demonstrate favoritism for certain toysP.1.6
- 1
- 2
7 months to 18 monthsP.2
- 1
Begins to manipulate materials, e.g., pounds at play dough, squeezes finger foodsP.2.1
- 2
Begins to show a preference for or aversion to particular sensory activities, e.g., pulls hand away from unfamiliar objects or unpleasant textures P.2.2
- 3
Becomes aware of obstacles in the environment, e.g., crawls around the table to get the ball P.2.3
- 4
Adjusts manner of walking depending on the surface, e.g., walks carefully across gravelP.2.4
- 1
- 3
16 months to 24 monthsP.3
- 1
Plays with water and sand tables; explores by pouring, digging, and fillingP.3.1
- 2
Enjoys physical play, e.g., wrestling, ticklingP.3.2
- 3
Recognizes situations that need to be approached cautiously, e.g., walks slowly with a cup of water, or with food on a plateP.3.3
- 4
Adjusts approach to environment, e.g., changes volume of voice to adjust to noise level in the environmentP.3.4
- 1
- 4
21 months to 36 monthsP.4
- 1
Imitates familiar adults when coloring; draws lines and/or circles P.4.1
- 2
Adjusts approach to unknown objects, e.g., presses harder on a lump of clayP.4.2
- 3
Perceives and acts accordingly when holding a fragile object, both in the actual environment and in play, e.g., walks carefully when holding a pretend tea cupP.4.3
- 1
- 1
Self-CareSC
Children demonstrate the desire and ability to participate in and practice self-care routines.
- 1
Birth to 9 monthsSC.1
- 1
Signals to indicate needs, e.g., cries when hungry, arches back when in pain or uncomfortable, turns head to disengage from object or personSC.1.1
- 2
Starts to develop self-soothing skills, e.g., sucks fingers for comfort and regulationSC.1.2
- 3
Attempts to feed self with a bottleSC.1.3
- 1
- 2
7 months to 18 monthsSC.2
- 1
Grasps and drinks from a cupSC.2.1
- 2
Shakes head to demonstrate no; pushes objects awaySC.2.2
- 3
Feeds self with foods that he or she can pick upSC.2.3
- 4
Improves ability to calm self, may fall asleep on ownSC.2.4
- 1
- 3
16 months to 24 monthsSC.3
- 1
Feeds self with assistanceSC.3.1
- 2
Starts to indicate needs with gestures or a word, e.g., tugs diaper when wet, says “milk” when thirstySC.3.2
- 3
Assists in undressing and dressingSC.3.3
- 4
Attempts to brush teeth with supportSC.3.4
- 1
- 4
21 months to 36 monthsSC.4
- 1
Undresses independently but still needs assistance with dressingSC.4.1
- 2
Performs some self-care tasks regularly and mostly independently, e.g., brushes teeth, washes hands, places cup in sinkSC.4.2
- 3
Makes choices pertaining to dressing and eatingSC.4.3
- 4
Uses nonverbal and/or verbal communication to specify needs SC.4.4
- 5
Begins to demonstrate an interest in using the bathroom, e.g., wants to sit on “potty”SC.4.5
- 6
Attempts to put on shoes and socks without helpSC.4.6
- 1
- 1
Frequently asked questions
- What grade levels do these standards cover?
- PRE-K
- Where can I read the official document?
- Illinois Early Learning Guidelines For Children Birth to Age Three
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Keep exploring Early Learning Guidelines: Birth to Age 3 standards
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