# Using a Simple Developmental Checklist in the Community Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-an-anganwadi-worker-how-can-i-use-a-simple-developmental-checklist-in-the-community Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited An anganwadi worker can use a simple developmental checklist by observing each child during normal play and visits across four areas — movement, talking and understanding, social play and self-care — marking milestones as 'yes' or 'not yet', re-checking at the next visit, reassuring families, and referring promptly anyone who is delayed, loses a skill, or whose parent is worried. The checklist screens and flags; it never diagnoses. *You are often the first trusted person to notice when a child in your village is growing a little differently — and that early eye changes everything.* ## In short A simple developmental checklist lets you observe whether each child is meeting age-typical milestones in four everyday areas — **movement, talking and understanding, playing with others, and doing things for themselves**. You are not diagnosing — you are *watching, noting, and gently flagging* so that a child who needs support reaches it early. Use the checklist at routine weighing days and home visits, record what you see, reassure the family, and refer anyone you are unsure about for a proper developmental check. ## How to use it in the community Keep it light, observational and respectful — never a test the child can "fail". **1. Watch during normal activity.** At the anganwadi or on a home visit, watch the child play, walk, respond to their name and interact. You learn more from natural play than from asking the child to perform. **2. Use simple age-banded questions.** For each child, check a few milestones for their age, for example: - *Movement* — Does a 12-month-old sit, crawl or pull to stand? Does a 2-year-old walk well and run? - *Talk & understand* — Does a 1-year-old babble and turn to their name? Does a 2-year-old use a few words? A 3-year-old, short sentences? - *Social & play* — Does the child smile back, point to show you things, play near other children? - *Self-care* — Does the toddler feed with fingers, try a spoon, copy simple actions? **3. Note, don't label.** Mark each milestone as *yes / not yet*. "Not yet" is a flag to watch — not a verdict. **4. Re-check at the next visit.** Many children simply need a little more time. If a milestone is still "not yet" after a month or two, that is your cue to refer. **5. Refer promptly when something stands out** — loss of a skill the child once had, no babble or gesture by 12 months, no words by 16 months, not walking by 18 months, or a parent who is worried. Worried parents are usually right; always honour their concern. **6. Reassure every family.** Speak in the home language, in warm plain words: *"Let us just keep an eye and get a simple check done — it helps your child do even better."* Never frighten a family. ## The Pinnacle way Your checklist spots *patterns to watch* — it never gives a diagnosis. A clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed **only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care**, never from a community checklist or an app. With 70+ centres across 4 states and support in your local language, we can take over the moment you flag a child — see [how the journey works](/journey) and where to [send a family for assessment](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/enroll-autism-speech-aba-therapies-india). Your early eye is the most powerful screening tool a community has. ## Trusted sources WHO Nurturing Care Framework for early childhood development; CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestone guidance; AAP developmental surveillance recommendations. **Next step —** Spotted a child you are unsure about? [Help the family book a developmental assessment at a Pinnacle centre](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/enroll-autism-speech-aba-therapies-india). This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. ## Sources - WHO Nurturing Care Framework for early childhood development: https://nurturing-care.org - CDC Learn the Signs. Act Early. milestone guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development - AAP HealthyChildren developmental milestones: https://www.healthychildren.org ## Connected topics and perspectives - Community Health Worker: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/community_health_worker - Support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/support - Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen - Book Assessment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/book-assessment - Family Empowerment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/family_empowerment ## Related question paths ### Explore therapy & support - How an ASHA worker can use a simple developmental checklist: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-an-asha-worker-how-can-i-use-a-simple-developmental-checklist-in-the-community - Using a Simple Developmental Checklist in the Community: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-community-health-volunteer-how-can-i-use-a-simple-developmental-checklist-in-the-community - Spotting early signs of developmental delay — anganwadi worker guide: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-an-anganwadi-worker-how-can-i-spot-the-early-signs-of-developmental-delay-in-a-child - How an anganwadi worker can raise developmental awareness: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-an-anganwadi-worker-how-can-i-raise-developmental-awareness-in-the-community - How a PHC nurse uses a simple developmental checklist in the community: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-phc-nurse-how-can-i-use-a-simple-developmental-checklist-in-the-community - As an anganwadi or early-years worker, how do I spot developmental delays early?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-an-anganwadi-or-early-years-worker-how-do-i-spot-developmental-delays-early