It is the responsibility of parents to make sure their children grow up healthy. As they grow, milestones achieved are also celebrated. Thus, it is imperative that parents learn to monitor and track their development and growth.
Why It Is Important
Tracking the developmental milestones of the growing child will help in monitoring for developmental delays which may be properly addressed. Parents and caregivers will be most helpful in providing information at the next well-child visit.
How to Track Your Child’s Development
It is recommended to start tracking your child’s development upon birth up until they are five years old. This can range from physical, cognitive, verbal, to social or emotional milestones. To see if your child’s growth is on track, keep a checklist of developmental milestones. These are sets of developmental accomplishments typically exhibited by most children at a certain age.
It is important to remember, however, that these developments are not a one-size-fits-all metric of children’s progress. Some children experience certain milestones earlier while others may experience them later than expected. To make sure that your child’s development is on track and that they are getting the prescribed amount of nutrients for their age, your doctor may recommend for your child to take vitamins and other supplements to support their growth and development. If you think that your child is exhibiting significant delays, it is always best to consult your pediatrician to help you evaluate their progress.
As a general guide, here are the developmental milestones most children accomplish at a certain age:
| Age | Physical/Motor | Cognitive | Verbal/ Communication |
Social/Emotional |
| 2 Months Old |
• hold their head up when on their belly |
• watch you when you’re moving | • react to loud sounds around them | • calm down or smile when you speak to them |
| 4 Months Old |
• hold their head without support when held
|
• look at their hands | • make cooing sounds • make sounds when spoken to • turn their heads towards you when they hear you speak |
• smile on their own • chuckle • look at you or make sounds to invite your attention |
| 6 Months Old | • roll on their belly to their back • push themselves up on straight arms when on their belly • use hands as a support when in a sitting position |
• put things in their mouth to explore • close their lips if they no longer want to eat |
• blow raspberries • squeal |
• recognize familiar people • laugh |
| 9 Months Old | • assume a sitting position by themselves • sit without support • transfer things they’re holding from one hand to the other |
• look for items they dropped | • make random sounds like “mamamama” or “dadadada” • raise their arms if they want to be picked up |
• show when they are shy or wary around strangers • show various facial expressions like happiness, sadness, anger, or surprise • look when their name is called • cry, reach or look for you when you leave • smile at you or laugh when playing peek-a-boo |
| 1 Year Old | • hold small items between their thumb and pointer finger • put things in a container • pull themselves up to stand • walk with support, like holding on to a furniture • drink from a lidless cup with your help |
• look for things you tried to hide from them | • wave goodbye • understand “no” |
• call their parents a name (calling out words like “mama” or “papa”) |
| 2 Years Old | • walk with or without help • hold an item in one hand while using the other for a different action (Ex. Holding a container and removing the lid) • plays at switches, knobs, or buttons in a toy • kick a ball and run • start using a spoon to eat |
• point to things when you ask about them (Ex. “Where is the cat?”) • start developing hand dominance |
• say at least two words to express themselves • use more gestures, like nodding or blowing a kiss |
• sense when someone is sad or upset • look at your face to see your reaction to a situation that’s unfamiliar to them |
| 3 Years Old | • put on a piece of clothing by themselves (like a jacket) • string little items together, like beads • use a fork |
• explain an action in a picture or a book when they are asked (Ex. “running” or “eating”) • recognize simple objects and shapes • draw a circle when they are taught how to |
• say their first name • tell stories, even though they may not be in complete sentences • ask questions, like “what,” “who,” “why,” or “where” |
• calm down after 10 minutes when they are left |
| 4 Years Old | • hold a pen or crayon in between their fingers and thumb • draw a person • use utensils (fork and spoon) to eat • serve themselves food with your supervision • walk without help |
• name a few colors • avoid certain dangers, like jumping from a high place or touching hot objects |
• repeat words from a story or nursery rhyme • talk about at least one event from their day • answer simple questions (Ex. “What is a crayon for?”) |
• express interest to play with other children • comfort others when they are down (like hugging) • adjust their behavior depending on the environment (when they are at home, at the playground, or in church) |
| 5 Years Old | • run, hop, or jump | • count up to 10 • write certain letters in their name • follow directions or rules • understand the concept of money • more consistently prefer to use one hand over the other (hand dominance) |
• use future tense when speaking • answer simple questions about a story after being told to them • recognize or speak simple rhymes |
• perform simple chores, like cleaning up after eating • sing, dance, or act |
The first few years of a child’s life are among the most crucial when it comes to their development, so closely monitoring these changes is important for parents to do. While there are general guidelines that help keep track of children’s growth, ultimately, parents know their child best. If something about your child’s development is concerning you, don’t hesitate to talk to a pediatrician at the first sign of worry.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/screening.html
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/3-to-4-year-old-milestones
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/4-to-5-year-old-milestones
https://www.verywellfamily.com/5-year-old-developmental-milestones-620713
https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-is-a-developmental-milestone-2795123
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/multivitamins/faq-20058310
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/whyActEarly.html
