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Powerful Tips to Keep in Mind

What is Child Development?

Child development refers to how your child grows and changes over time. Experts divide child growth and development into four areas:

Physical development refers to strength and physical skills.

Cognitive development involves thinking and problem-solving.

Language development refers to communication and understanding.

Social-emotional development affects how children interact with others and process feelings.

What a Parent Should Know

Every parent expects their children to grow from one stage to another.

You cannot give birth to a child and expects that child not to talk or walk at certain age.

There is always an expectation.

However, you will not expect a child of 2 months to start walking and talking.

That would be absurd!

Development Table: Birth to 18 Months

	1-3 months	4-6 months	5-9 months	9-12 months	12-18 months
Cognitive	Shows interest in objects and human faces May get bored with repeated activities	Recognizes familiar faces Notices music Responds to signs of love and affection	Brings hands up to mouth Passes things from one hand to the other	Watches things fall Looks for hidden things	Has learned how to use some basic things like spoons Can point to named body parts
Social and emotional	Tries to look at you or other people Starts to smile at people	Responds to facial expressions Enjoys playing with people Responds differently to different voice tones	Enjoys mirrors Knows when a stranger is present	May be clingy or prefer familiar people	May engage in simple pretend games May have tantrums May cry around strangers

	1-3 months	4-6 months	5-9 months	9-12 months	12-18 months
Language	Begins to coo and make vowel sounds Becomes calm when spoken to Cries differently for different needs	Begins to babble or imitate sounds Laughs	Responds to hearing their name May add consonant sounds to vowels May communicate with gestures	Points Knows what “no” means Imitates sounds and gestures	Knows how to say several words Says “no” Waves bye-bye
Movement/Physical	Turns toward sounds Follows objects with eyes Grasps objects Gradually lifts head for longer periods	Sees things and reaches for them Pushes up with arms when on tummy Might be able to roll over	Starts sitting up without support May bounce when held in standing position Rolls in both directions	Pulls up into standing position Crawls	Walks holding onto surfaces Stands alone May climb a step or two May drink from a cup

Development Delay in Children

• If a child has a developmental delay, it means that he or she has not gained the skills or reached the milestones that experts expect children their age to have. Most developmental delays will resolve on their own over time while others need extra attention. With early intervention services, the child should be able to catch up and reach the full potential.
• According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 6 children in the United States, or 17%, has at least one developmental delay.

Types of Developmental Delays

• Cognitive (thinking) skills: Cognitive skills include thinking, learning  (academics) and understanding information. A child with a cognitive delay may have trouble following directions or solving a problem.
• Social and emotional skills: These skills include getting along with others, expressing feelings and the ability to communicate needs. A child with social or emotional delays may struggle with understanding social cues, having a conversation or dealing with changes to a routine.
• Speech and language skills: Speech and language skills include using and understanding language. A child with speech and language delays may have difficulty speaking words or understanding what others say.
• Fine and gross motor skills: These skills include the ability to coordinate small (fine) and large (gross) muscles. A child with a fine motor delay may have trouble holding an object in their hands or have trouble with coloring and writing. A child with a gross motor delay may have difficulty rolling over, sitting up or walking.

The Way Forward

Early intervention is very important. Intervention services can start between the ages of 2 and 3 years old.

Do not wait until it is too late to seek advice.

Try out therapies which may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or behavioral therapy. These therapies are designed to improve the child’s skills in areas such as communication, socialization, and motor skills with no stigmatization.

         Be observant! Be intentional! Be fast!