Are you wondering if your child’s development is on track? You’re not alone. This is one of the top concerns of parenthood. Here is a guide to help you through the maze.
Every Child is Different
While developmental milestones provide important guidelines, children grow at their own pace. Variations in skill development are normal.
Types of Child Development
There are some key skills your child should be developing at a reasonable pace.
Physical Development
This includes gross and fine motor skills, such as running, jumping, catching, and drawing. The senses also develop.
Cognitive Development
This includes thinking, reasoning, understanding, and problem-solving.
Social-Emotional Development
Children begin to understand how to control their emotions and interact with others.
Adaptive Skills
This area focuses on dressing, eating, washing, and other daily living skills..
Milestone Guidelines
- Typically, 12-18-month-olds can walk independently, stack blocks, and follow one-step directions.
- A child aged 18-24 months old can run and jump, stack blocks, follow two-step instructions, and ask simple questions.
- At age 2 or 3, a child develops independence and exploration skills. This includes climbing, using a spoon, and learning to share.
- A child aged 3-4 begins to socialize and develop friendships. They can catch a large ball, use scissors, count, and speak in complete sentences.
- At age 5-6 years, a child is typically active, can write simple sentences, understand basic math concepts, and read easy books.
Getting Help
Monitoring a child’s development is extremely important. Early treatment for developmental delays can improve a child’s skills and abilities by the time they start kindergarten. A pediatrician will check your child’s milestone progress during an annual visit and guide you on how to address any concerns.
Harbor Child Care focuses on ‘Preparing Children for Life Beyond Academics.’ It originally opened as a day care center in 1973 with eight children. Today, six centers in Nassau County serve numerous families throughout Long Island. Contact us to begin your journey.
