Watching
a young child grow is a wonderful and unique experience for a
parent. Learning to sit up, walk, and talk are some of the more
major developmental "milestones" your child will
achieve. But your child's growth is a complex and ongoing
process. Young bodies are constantly going through a number of
physical and mental changes.
Although no two children develop at the same rate, they
should be able to do certain things at certain ages. As a
parent, you are in the best position to note your child's
development, and you can use the milestones described below as
guidelines.
At the ages noted, observe your child for l month. (This lets
you take into account any days when your child may be acting
differently because he or she is sick or upset.) Use the
milestones listed for each age to see how your child is
developing.
Remember a "no" answer to any of these questions
does not necessarily mean that there is a problem. Every child
develops at his or her own pace and may sometimes develop more
slowly in certain areas than other children the same age. Keep
in mind these milestones should be used only as guidelines.
Plan to talk about these guidelines with your pediatrician
during your next office visit if you note the following:
- major differences between your child's development and the
"milestones"
- your child does not yet do many of the things usually done
at his or her age
3 Months
When your baby is lying on his back, does he move each of his
arms equally well? Check "no" if your child makes
jerky or uncoordinated movements with one or both of his arms or
legs, or uses only one arm all the time.
Does your child make sounds such as gurgling, cooing,
babbling, or other noises besides crying?
Does your baby respond to your voice?
Are your child's hands frequently open?
When you hold your child in the upright position, can he
support his head for more than a moment?
6 Months
Have you seen your baby play with her hands by touching them
together?
Does your child turn his head to sounds that originate out of
his immediate area?
Has your baby rolled over from her stomach to her back or
from back to stomach?
When you hold your baby under his arms, can he bear some
weight on his legs? Check "Yes " only if he tries to
stand on his feet and supports some of his weight.
When your child is on his stomach, can he support his weight
on outstretched hands?
Does your baby see small objects such as crumbs?
If you have any questions, plan to discuss them with your
pediatrician. Pediatricians are trained to detect and treat
developmental problems in children. Many problems, if detected
early, can be treated by your pediatrician and successfully
managed.
