Childhood is a time of exploration, discovery, and growth. It is a period marked by curiosity and wonder, where every experience contributes to the development of skills, knowledge, and character.
Marking progress along this journey are developmental milestones, which describe what children should be able to do by a certain age. For babies, those milestones can include rolling over in bed, taking their first step, and waving bye-bye to their parents. These milestones help parents, family, medical providers, and teachers compare growth and development to what is considered typical for children of the same age.
Medical providers use milestones outlined by groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics to assess where each child is on their journey. Early interventions to assist with development can be critical in helping children reach their full potential.
Pediatricians monitor these developmental milestones, but it is also important for parents to actively monitor them. There are four different types of milestones that parents can track:
Cognitive:
Tasks like learning, thinking, and problem-solving help determine whether a child is on track for future academic success.
Social/Emotional:
Children should be learning how to interact with other children and show emotion.
Language/Communication:
Children learn to express their needs and share their thoughts. They also should be able to understand and interpret what others are saying.
Movement:
Represent the physical body and how children can use their bodies for movement.
Parents have many resources to track developmental milestones, including websites, apps, resource books, and pediatricians and family practice providers who can identify and address important social, developmental, behavioral, and health issues during well-child health assessments.
It is very important for parents to monitor their children’s developmental milestones and maintain open communication with their healthcare team. However, these milestones are only guidelines – some children are bound to reach them first, and others will reach them later in their development, and some may not meet certain milestones but will excel in their own way. Life is a journey with joys and discoveries unique to each child and family. We are here to celebrate every step along the way while ensuring every child the opportunity to maximize their potential.
Douglas Halbert, M.D., is a board-certified pediatrician at Healthcare Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare to everyone in our community. Halbert specializes in pediatric care, offering comprehensive medical services to children and adolescents. He is committed to ensuring that every child has access to quality medical attention, regardless of their family’s financial situation. Visit HealthcareSWFL.org for more information.