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 [email protected] 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.