Developmental milestone

Developmental Milestones are behavioral or physical activities seen in infants and children as they grow and develop. These milestones are different for each age range. There is a normal range in which a child may reach each milestone. For example, walking may begin as early as 8 months in some children. Others may not begin to walk until 18 months of age. Walking early or late on these age ranges does not predict walking ability or intelligence.

Types of Developmental Milestones

Developmental milestones can be divided into four areas:

• Motor development includes both gross motor (GM) skills, which involve large muscle groups and include skills such as walking and sitting, and fine motor (FM) skills, which involve smaller muscle groups and include skills such as using a spoon or picking up a small object.

• Language development includes understanding, using sound and language, and expressing oneself through language.

• Cognitive development includes learning to solve problems, reason, and think.

• Social and emotional development includes learning to interact with others, having relationships with family and friends, and learning to express and control emotions.

Importance of Developmental Milestones

Developmental milestones are important measures of a child's progress. They can help identify if a child may have a developmental delay or disability. Early recognition and early treatment can increase the chance of improving the child's abilities.

Monitoring Developmental Milestones

Parents and caregivers should monitor a child's developmental milestones and discuss any concerns with a healthcare provider. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be screened for developmental delays during regular well-child doctor visits at 9 months, 18 months, and 24 or 30 months.

See Also

• Child development
• Child development stages
• Developmental psychology
• Pediatrics

References

Developmental milestone Resources
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