Developmental Milestones

Today, I want to talk about developmental milestones, a term not heard much anymore. Developmental milestones are those markers in a child's development that let you know your child is developing normally and at the correct rate. If you don't know to watch for these markers, you won't know if your child is having a problem. For example, if your child is six month's old, he or she should be able to do the following:

Motor Skills

• hold head steady when sitting with your help
• reach for and grasp objects
• play with his toes
• help hold the bottle during feeding
• explore by mouthing and banging objects
• move toys from one hand to another
• shake a rattle
• pull up to a sitting position on her own if you grasp her hands
• sit with only a little support
• sit in a high chair
• roll over
• bounce when held in a standing position

Sensory and Thinking Skills

• open his mouth for the spoon
• imitate familiar actions you perform

Language and Social Skills

• babble, making almost sing-song sounds
• know familiar faces
• laugh and squeal with delight
• scream if annoyed
• smile at herself in a mirror

Now there will be differences in the rate at which each child develops. Do not expect your child to be able to do all of these on the exact day that he or she is six months old. However, be aware of your child's progress so that you spot a problem early on. With regard to children and their development, the earlier you spot a delay, the earlier you will be able to intervene and get help from a professional.

Check out the following website for other developmental markers as your child advances in age: http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/devmile.htm And if your child is not developing at a normal rate, talk to your pediatrician. Early intervention is the key and can make the difference between success or failure in your child's school career.