Early childhood developmental milestones - all you need to know

 From the moment your child is born, your world begins to revolve around them. That first smile, the first time they roll over, the first time they crawl, the first they sit up, the first time they stand, their first steps, their first words - so many firsts to look forward to.

 

Therefore,  understanding early childhood developmental milestones is absolutely essential for all parents and caregivers.

 

 

Developmental milestones in the first five years

 

How often have you wondered - “Is my child developing normally?”

As parents, we often compare our child’s progress with another child. And this is where we become more conscious of our child’s developmental milestones. The first five years of life are the most important as this is when the maximum amount of growth takes place. Babies and toddlers learn to balance their heads, crawl, walk and learn simple responses like smiling and greeting in these early years.

 

The thing to remember is that every child is different. Just because your cousin’s daughter took her first steps before her first birthday, does not mean your child has to too. And this certainly does not indicate a developmental delay. In fact, the window for taking that first step extends all the way to 18 months.

 

Remember, it is always best to check with your developmental pediatrician.

Here are some highlights of your child’s growth journey.

 

0 – 3 Months

      Begins to develop a social smile

      Raises head and chest during tummy time

      Notices and recognizes faces

      Smiles at the sound of your voice

      Starts holding head steady

      Reaches for an object

 

 

3 – 6 Months

      Enjoys social play (games like peek-a-boo)

      Transfers objects from hand to hand

      Responds to name

      Rolls over

      Rolls back

      Finds partially hidden objects

      Picks up toys and objects

 

6-12 Months

      Responds to simple verbal requests

      Sits without any assistance

      Stands with assistance

      Crawls up stairs

      Feeds self with spoon

      Enjoys imitating people/things in his play

 

 

13-18 Months

      Takes first steps

      Walks without assistance

      Points to interesting objects

      Points at familiar objects and pictures

      Can drink from open cup

      Uses 5-10 word phrases to communicate

      Repeats words/phrases overhead in conversations

      Shows interest in other children

      Turns pages of a book

 

 

18 Months - 3 Years

      Indulges in pretend play

      Sorts objects by shape and color

      Climbs stairs and jump with two feet

      Can run

      Kicks ball without losing balance

      Wiggles thumbs

      Counts up to 10 or more

      Can pull toys behind them while walking

      Draws/marks on paper with crayon, markers, pens

      Identifies 4-5 body parts

      Imitates new words

      Comprehends new words faster

      Language acquisition: can speak full meaningful sentences by 3 years

      Understands concepts of today, tomorrow, and yesterday

      Can focus on stories (gradually moved away from picture books)

      Can follow two-step directions

 

 

 

 

 

 

3-4 Years

      Walks on tiptoes

      Hops on one foot

      Knows his name and gender

      Feeds himself without spilling much

      Brushes teeth and dresses without help

      Unscrews jars, turns door knobs and scribbles

 

 

4-5 Years

      Cooperates with other children

      Plays on the swing without assistance

      Balances on one foot for at least five seconds

      Draws circles, triangles and squares

      Likes to sing or dance

 

 

Developmental delays

For children who don’t meet their cognitive and motor milestones on time, it’s advisable to wait for a few months and watch for progress before raising an alarm. At the same time, consulting a developmental pediatrician can also put your mind at ease.

 

In case of delays longer than 2-4 months, for example any motor developmental delay is a warning sign. Often, early intervention in developmental delays or developmental disabilities can go a long way in reducing the extent or nature of the problem.

 

Symptoms of developmental delays:

      Any motor development delays (as per age-specific milestones), for example, a 6-month-old child with little head control

      Little to no interest in playing with other children or caregivers

      Difficulty making eye contact to get someone’s attention or communicating needs

      Overactive and displays impulsive and inattentive behavior

      Poor memory, difficulty remembering names, letters and numbers

      Hard time reading and recognizing letters and words

      Problems with fine motor skills, such as coloring and writing

      Reluctance to use one side of the body, such as reaching with only one hand

      Involuntary movements, spasms or tremors

 

Causes of developmental delays:

      Trauma to the brain (eg. shaken baby syndrome)

      Hereditary conditions like Down Syndrome

      Developmental disorders like autism

      Metabolic disorders

      Exposure to toxic substances like alcohol, lead, etc. (prenatal exposure)

      Malnutrition

      Lack of environmental stimuli

      Psychological and psychosocial traumas

 

 

Treatment

Depending on the extent of developmental delays, Plexus offers a range of therapies for your little one. These include -

      Early intervention therapy

      Occupational therapy

      Speech and language therapy

      Physical therapy

      Cognitive behavioral therapy

 

 

As a parent, watching your children grow up is a uniquely fulfilling experience. To ensure their development is holistic and normal, we encourage you to periodically monitor their behavior for any anomalies.

 

If you have reason to believe that their growth could be hindered at any stage, reach out to Dr Na’eem Sadiq, founder of Plexus Neuro and India’s no. 1 developmental specialist.

 

You can write to Dr Sadiq at drnaeem@plexusnc.com or call on +91 89048 42087 | 080-2546 0886 | 080-2547 0886 | 080-2549 0886

 

Together, we can create a child-friendly environment and help bring their development back on track.

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