Charlotte OT Blog

Developmental Checklist for the 1^st Year of Life: 7-8 months Expected Skills

***(Refer to “Developmental Reflexes in 1^st Year of Life” blogs for reflex descriptions)

Motor Skills:

• Begins some hand to hand transfer of objects/toys
• Active and controlled rolling from back to tummy
• Can sit independently with extended back and reach for objects
• Rocks in quadruped position (position on all fours like about to crawl)
• Creeping
• Kneeling and half-kneeling
• Sits in different positions
• Side to side cruising
• 3-jaw chuck grasp (thumb, index and middle fingers)

Visual Skills:

• In sitting position will look at hands, food, bottle
• Looks at and watches more distant objects
• Turns eyes inward while investigating hands or toys
• Eyes move with little head movements
• Looks at activities for longer period of time
• Begins to look for toys dropped in front of them
• Enjoys more complex designs and can distinguish colors
• Vision more complete at this age

Cognitive Skills:

• Object permanence good (understands objects are there even if they can’t see or hear them)
• Begins to think and problem solve
• Recognizes faces and objects
• Understands expressions
• Associates baby pictures with themselves
• Understand cause and effect
• Learn how things work by imitating what parent does
• Associates sound with pictures