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Prescreening Instructions
WHY: This prescreening chart is a quick, organized way
of helping you to recognize possible problem areas in a child's
vision, hearing and development. The chart will help you to
look at the whole child. You will be watching for the child's
development in the areas of thinking skills, social skills,
listening and talking skills, and activity skills. Activity
skills are divided into small muscle (like the fingers) and large
muscle (like the legs) activities. It is important to watch
for vision and hearing in children of every age. IMPORTANT
This chart will help you recognize areas that deserve a second look
by a professional who can give a complete developmental test.
The chart is not intended to be a developmental test.
WHO: The chart may be used by anyone who works with
young children. Parents, child care providers, case workers,
and preschool staff will find the chart especially helpful.
WHEN: Watch and listen to the child while
playing. You are looking for what the child is usually
like. DO NOT USE THIS CHART WHEN THE CHILD IS ILL, TIRED, OR
IRRITABLE.
HOW: Locate the child's age on the chart. Read
the activities listed in that section, and under vision and
hearing. Watch and listen as the child plays. Can the
child do the activities? It is important that the child has
the time, space, and materials needed for each activity. For
example, do not say the child cannot draw a face if you don't give
the child paper and a pencil or crayon. You may wish to watch
and listen to a child over several days, using the chart to remind
you what to look for. Write down the things the child can and
cannot do, the date, and the child's name and age.
Each age section lists activities that most children will
be able to do sometime between the first age and the second age in
that section. For example, by 12 months, most children will be
able to do all the listed activities in the 6 to 12 months
section. However; most children will not be able to do all of
these things at 6 months. The same is true of each age
section. Therefore, do not be too concerned if a child at the
early end of the age level cannot do all of the activities.
Since children develop at different rates, do not panic just because
a child seems behind on one task. If a child at the upper end
of the age level cannot do all the activities, a second look by a
professional who can give a developmental test is the next step.
WHAT NEXT: If the child does not do an activity
listed for her/his age level, discuss this with the parents or
guardian. The child's family physician, the local health
department or the school district can help you and the parents find
a nearby agency that do a more complete check of the child's
development, vision and/or hearing.
PRESCREENING CHECKLIST:
VISION &
HEARING
BIRTH TO 12 MONTHS
12 MONTHS TO 3
YEARS
3 TO 6 YEARS
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