It can be hard to tell sometimes whether or not your child is on track developmentally. All children progress at their own pace, and there is a lot of variation from child to child. However, there are some general milestones that children should reach at different ages, and it’s important to be aware of these so that you can seek help if necessary. In this blog post, we will discuss the different developmental milestones that parents should look for in their children. We will also provide tips on how to track child development and when to seek help.
The first developmental milestone that parents should look for is the ability to roll over. Most babies can do this by around four months old. Rolling over is an important skill because it helps babies learn how to move their bodies and explore their surroundings.
Another milestone to look for is sitting up unassisted. Babies usually start sitting up on their own by around six months old. Sitting up is an important skill because it helps babies develop their balance and strengthens their muscles.
One of the most important milestones is learning to walk. Most babies can start walking independently by around 12 months old. Walking is a very important skill because it allows children to explore the world on their own.
At about this time, you will have a visit with your pediatrician where most of the time, you will complete some kind of developmental survey so your doctor can see where your baby is on the timeline of milestones. This is your chance to note each milestone and when they were hit early, “on time”, or might be delayed.
Another important milestone is learning to talk. Babies usually start saying their first words around 12 months old, although some may say them earlier or later than this. Talking is an important skill because it allows babies to communicate with others and express themselves verbally. This also gives you the opportunity to read aloud many times every day (and night).
If there are concerns about your child’s development, your pediatrician will be able to make recommendations and provide resources. For some, this may mean referrals to developmental pediatricians (who specialize in this kind of thing), an early intervention screening to see if more help is needed (like physical therapy), or some other course of action. However, most of the time, developmental delays are caught and dealt with long before they become a major issue.
It is important for parents to be aware of these developmental milestones so that they can track their child’s progress and seek help if necessary. This will help make sure that your child is on track developmentally and getting the right care.
If you do need therapy services, places like ABC Pediatric Therapy are specially designed to be there for you and your young child when you need them. They have an interactive child developmental checklist you can do right now and are ready to answer any questions that you have. The resources are there – going through developmental delays can be scary, but when you surround yourself with a team of caring and knowledgeable professionals, it really puts you in a place of comfort and understanding. Find your tribe and let them help!
