Standardized tools for child development assessment in nursing (0-5years) scoping review

Map standardized child development assessment tools used by nurses to identify developmental concerns in children ages 0 to 5 years.

This review follows the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and is registered with the Open Science Framework. The search drew on MEDLINE, CINAHL, JBI Evidence Synthesis, PROSPERO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, the Portuguese Open Access Scientific Repository, official organization websites, and grey literature via the New York Academy of Medicine and Google. Articles published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish through December 2025 were included. Selection and data extraction were conducted independently by reviewers.

Eleven sources published between 2010 and 2025 were included, identifying 33 standardized child development assessment tools used by nurses. The tools are categorized as parental-report surveillance tools, direct observation and short-form screening tools, and comprehensive diagnostic evaluation tools. The most frequently cited tools include Denver II, Ages and Stages Questionnaires, and Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Findings reveal tensions among psychometric rigor, practical feasibility, cultural adaptation requirements, and training needs.

Tool selection requires balancing psychometric strength with clinical practicality. Cultural adaptation and local validation are essential for diagnostic accuracy.

Systematic surveillance using standardized tools integrated into routine nursing practice facilitates early detection of developmental concerns, promotes family-centered care, and enables timely referrals to early intervention services, thereby reducing health disparities and supporting children's developmental potential.