Stanford SHQ — observable behaviours
The Stanford Survey of Health and Development records what parents actually observed across 21,861 US children, ages 0–60 months (Stenhaug, Ram & Frank, 2021). Each card below is one item from the survey — a behaviour to watch for, organised by age band and subscale.
Stanford items are observable behaviours, not adult-advice activities. The Learning Curve activities tab will appear here once construct-derived activities are authored.
422 behaviours · across 4 subscales
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- physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
grasps your finger when placed in their hand (grasping reflex)
What you might see: Closes the hand around your finger when you place it in the palm
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
rests legs with their hips open while lying on their back
What you might see: Lies on the back with both hips resting open
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
when startled, throws arms in the air, with the palms of their hands facing up, back and neck stretched; then, quickly retracts arms back to chest (moro reflex)
What you might see: Throws arms in the air when startled
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
stretches and spreads their toes when the sole of their foot is stroked (babinski reflex)
What you might see: Toes stretch when the sole of the foot is stroked.
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
keeps hands clenched in tight fists
What you might see: Hands are clenched in tight fists during quiet awake time.
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
stays in a flexed position, with arms and knees tucked into their abdomen
What you might see: Arms are flexed and held close to the body.
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
begins to suck automatically when something touches their palate (sucking reflex)
What you might see: Sucking starts automatically after the palate is touched.
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
opens their mouth and turns toward your hand when you stroke their cheek (rooting reflex)
What you might see: Opens the mouth when the cheek is gently stroked
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
can turn their head to either side when lying face up
What you might see: Turns the head toward the left side while safely on the back
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
holds head up while lying face down
What you might see: Raises the head while lying on the tummy
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
raises their legs about 4 in. from the ground while lying face up
What you might see: While lying face up, lifts the legs about 4 inches from the ground or mat.
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
kicks when lying face up
What you might see: While lying face up, makes clear kicking movements with the legs.
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
smiles reflexively (for exampe, while sleeping)
What you might see: Smiles reflexively while sleeping or in a relaxed drowsy state.
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
reacts to being touched
What you might see: Moves part of the body after a gentle touch.
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
turns towards a touch on the cheek
What you might see: Turns the head toward the cheek that was gently touched.
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
turns towards the direction of a sound
What you might see: Turns head or eyes toward a sound made to one side.
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
turns to look at someone who is talking to them
What you might see: Turns head or gaze toward a person who is talking to them
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
is startled by loud noises
What you might see: Startles after a sudden loud noise
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
holds their head steadily, but needs support when carried upright and moved around
What you might see: Holds head steadily while being held upright
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
can turn their head left and right when upright
What you might see: Turns the head left while safely supported upright
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
pushes down on their legs when their feet are placed on a firm surface
What you might see: Pushes down through the legs when both feet are placed on a firm surface
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
can fixate their eyesight on objects 18 inches away
What you might see: Looks directly at an object about 18 inches away
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
lifts their head and chest using their elbows and forearms while lying face down
What you might see: Lifts the head while lying face down.
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture) - physical_culture.gross_motorObserve
supports their head completely
What you might see: Keeps the head upright when held safely.
0-5mGross Motor (physical culture)