As children grow, they provide parents with memories that will last a lifetime. Being a parent is a fulfilling experience, but many new parents wonder if their children are developing as they should. At Touchpoint Pediatrics, we understand the desire to evaluate your child’s mental and physical growth, offering resources for parents, kids, and babies. Here, our board-certified pediatricians help you understand child development and what you should keep an eye out for.
What Is Child Development?
Child development encompasses a child’s growth from infancy to adulthood. This process includes not only their physical growth but also their intellectual and emotional development. The specifics of growth will depend on the child’s current age, but each year (and often only within a few months), parents will experience exciting changes, as their little ones discover more about the world around them. Some of the aspects of child development you’ll need to monitor include:
Brain Development
Every day, children’s brains soak up more information like sponges. Their cognitive development is vital to their continued growth. As their brains develop, they’ll begin to think, remember things, and problem-solve.
Language Development
This part of a child’s development can be both verbal and nonverbal. Verbal development involves the sounds they make and the words they speak when attempting to communicate. Nonverbal development deals with body language, sign language, and other silent forms of communication.
Physical Development
A child’s physical development involves how they learn to use their bodies. This includes both gross motor skills and fine motor skills. Some examples include the ability to move muscles to grab items, sit up on their own, walk, balance, and more.
Social-Emotional Development
As children grow, they will learn to express themselves and manage their emotions. Healthy social-emotional skills allow children to build relationships and handle life’s challenges.
When Should These Milestones Occur?
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that no two children are the same. It is common for children to develop at different rates and build certain skills much more quickly than others. However, there are some general developmental milestones to look out for:
- Rooting: The rooting reflex means that a child will turn their head in the direction of one’s finger when their mouth or cheek is touched (typically present at birth).
- Sucking: Newborns should be able to move their mouths in a sucking motion when a finger or nipple is placed in their mouths (typically present at birth).
- Moro reflex: Here, the child will extend their arms and legs and potentially cry out when startled (can be present as early as 25 weeks).
- Stepping reflex: Often appearing in the first six weeks, the stepping reflex involves holding the baby upright and letting their feet touch the floor or another flat surface. Babies displaying this reflex will raise their feet as if to walk.
- Babinski reflex: In this reflex, the bottom of an infant’s foot is stroked from the heel to the toes, resulting in the infant fanning their big toe (generally occurring until the child is two)
Throughout their first year, a baby will learn to hold their head up, crawl, grasp items, coo, babble, and more. From ages one to two, they may begin expanding their vocabulary, running, and playing with other children. From ages three to six, children will learn to draw, use scissors, brush their teeth, and more.
If you’re concerned that your child’s milestones aren’t occurring as they should, don’t worry. Simply schedule an appointment with their Touchpoint pediatrician to discuss your concerns. Our well child visits can help us assess and treat developmental delays. The sooner any issues are identified, the better the outcome.
Let Us Help You Understand the Child Development Process
At Touchpoint Pediatrics in Chatham, New Jersey, we pride ourselves on our ability to offer personalized care that helps children feel comfortable while keeping parents informed. When it comes to child development, parents should monitor their child’s physical, mental, and emotional growth and speak with one of our pediatricians if they notice a significant gap or delay. Contact us today to ask any questions or to set up an appointment.