Children are as unique as they are beautiful.
While kids are all distinctly different, we need objective ways to track their development. There are some key developmental milestones that indicate whether our kids are on track or falling back in certain ways.
These milestones are useful, but they might give us cause for concern if we notice that our kids aren’t meeting every mark. If every kid is different, though, how can we expect them to meet all of the same standards?
We’re going to look at these milestones today, exploring the idea of their importance and what to do if your child seems to be “falling behind.” Hopefully, the insights below provide you with a useful perspective when thinking about developmental milestones.
What Are Developmental Milestones?
Milestones assess a number of key developmental areas that children progress through. They assess broad categories of behavior, vague enough to account for most children but specific enough to provide clear expectations.
These stepping stones lay out certain expectations at particular ages. You’ll find milestones in the areas of:
- Language and communication
- Physical movement and motor skills
- Emotional development
- Social skills
- Cognition
You’ll notice that these expectations spread out as your child gets older. For example, there are more sequential milestones in the first year than there are in the second year. You can expect to find key milestones at months one, three, and seven, for example, and then milestones every year or two years after that.
This is partly due to the fact that development is more uniform in the first stages of life. The first behaviors we exhibit are largely physical and reflexive so there’s not a lot of room for individual differences.
In that way, we expect most children to go through the same early stages of development. When we move forward a few years, the expectations become a little broader.
For example, things like “cooperativeness” or “imaginative play” are harder to define than “raises chest and head when placed on their stomach.”
Are Milestones Important for Your Child’s Growth?
Now, a long list of expectations is probably the last thing you want to place on your beautiful baby. As we discussed, the individuality of our kids is one of the most beautiful gifts in life and you can’t expect everyone to progress in the same way.
That said, there’s a line to be drawn between individuality and red flags in development. Most of the developmental milestones are well-understood stages for healthy physical, intellectual, and emotional growth.
When children don’t meet developmental expectations, especially early on, there’s a chance that they might have something holding them back. There’s not always a one-to-one relationship between developmental delays and developmental challenges, though.
For example, just because your child doesn’t start to speak at the expected age doesn’t mean they’ll have trouble speaking their whole life. There are sequential progressions in speech development, though, and each one feeds off of the previous one.
Milestones are like building blocks that kids use to reach adolescence and adulthood. When one block is missing, it’s a little harder to place the following one.
So, milestones are very important. They give you a roadmap for what to expect and how to foster your child’s growth. On the other hand, developmental delays aren’t necessarily “problems,” although they have the potential to be.
What if Your Kiddo Seems “Behind?”
In light of the importance of developmental milestones, you might be concerned if you notice that your child isn’t meeting each checkpoint.
A key thing to remember is that milestones are averages. When you’re working with such a vast data set, all human beings ever born on planet earth, it’d be impossible to get a definite answer on how development should go with everyone.
So, the markers set forth by child psychologists and researchers are just the general averages. If you scoured the earth for a child that met every single milestone perfectly, you’d be searching a long time before you found one.
Comparisons Don’t Mean Much
You’ll hear a lot of parents boast about their child’s development. “Lisa was walking early” or “Tommy was talking far before most kids.”
These little brags don’t actually equate to any value. Kids develop differently, and early or late progression doesn’t typically reflect how the child will be in adulthood. Kids will grow faster in some ways than others, but their own individual constitution will balance those skills out over time.
The environment they’re in also has a lot to do with it.
For example, parents that prevent kids from stumbling or toppling over might be impeding their ability to progress physically. Kids are jammed with plasticity, though, so they’ll find ways to grow where they are. The point is that little lags or jumps in progress are only natural.
Children are messy and so are their methods for growth, so comparing the growth of unique individuals doesn’t do much to assess their implicit abilities or value.
Follow Your Gut
All of that said, there are instances where your child might be struggling. When you notice a significant lag or there’s something that doesn’t sit right with you, you should seek a professional opinion.
It’s best to spot developmental delays early in almost all instances. If there is a significant obstacle, they’ll overcome it a lot easier if you get help early. You should also remember that you’re the authority when it comes to your kids.
If you’re perceiving something that puts a lump in your throat, odds are there’s a reason. We typically know when we’re overthinking or over-worrying and we also know when our concerns feel legitimate.
So, while every kiddo develops differently, make sure to trust your instincts when you think your child needs help.
Looking for a Great Place to Grow?
A big piece of hitting developmental milestones is finding the best pre-schools and daycares. In the right environment, your child can progress and flourish.
We’re here to help. Explore our site for information on our exceptional pre-school, insights into early childhood, and a whole lot more. Contact us today!
The Learning Experience – Oldsmar
3933 Tampa Rd
Oldsmar, FL 34677
(813) 855-7572
https://thelearningexperience.com/center/oldsmar/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=MyBusiness
