Once a baby is born, parents eagerly await the series of “firsts.” First tooth, first roll over, first words. We can literally see our child grow in how they play, learn, speak and act.
While there is definitely a wide age range for when children should meet their “first” milestones, reaching theses accomplishments later or not at all could be a sign of a developmental delay.
My Experience With My Daughter’s Developmental Delay
Our daughter was adopted from Korea at 22 months. We had her referral since she was eight months old so we would receive periodic updates on how she was progressing. By 18 months she still was not walking and referred to physical therapy. Shortly after that, she began to take her first steps with a diagnosis of hypotonia, otherwise known as low muscle tone.
Once she arrived home our doctors told us not to worry, she would catch up on her lack of climbing and physical stamina. Just before she turned four I asked for a referral to a physical therapist because I knew what I was seeing was not normal. Sarah was diagnosed with low muscle tone and more than a year behind her peers in gross motor skills.
I should have been more in tune with the guidelines of developmental milestones. Had I paid known more, I could have demanded interventions sooner and helped her try to catch up in a more reasonable time frame. At almost 5 years old, she now tests in the 4 year old range. She is closing the gap toward age-appropriate motor skills, but still has a ways to go.
Expected Developmental Milestones
Below is a small list of milestones your child should be achieving:
By 6 months
Turns their head when you call their name
Smiles at you
Responds by making sounds
Can sit without support
likes games like Peek a Boo, Thumbkin, Bumble Bee Came Out of the Barn
By 12 months (1 year)
Uses gestures like waving or shaking their head
Pulling up to a standing position
Copying behaviors like raising hands to be “so big”
Begins to say words like “mama” and “dada”
By 18 months (1.5 years)
Pretends with toys
Points to things of interest
Uses several words
Walks without help
Responds to simple commands like “look at the cat!”
By 24 months (2 years)
Uses short phrases of 2-4 words
Begins to show interest in other children
Follows simple instructions “Get your shoes for mommy”
Kicks a ball
Recognizes words like car, truck, baby, etc.
By 36 months (3 years)
Hugs and kisses playmates
Uses simple sentences of 4-5 words
Copies adults and playmates
Climbs
Plays make believe with dolls, animals or other people
By 48 months (4 years)
Follows 3 step commands like “Open the door, get your shoes and bring them to me.:
Hops or stands on one foot
Uses more complex sentences of 5 to 6 words
Begins to understand the concept of sharing
Draws shapes
** For a complete checklist of developmental milestones, reference this list from The Centers for Disease Control.
What to Do if Your Child is Not Meeting Milestones
A developmental delay can be minor and correctable. Children respond favorably if early intervention is secured sooner rather than later. If you are concerned your child is not meeting milestones as they should, call your pediatrician and request an evaluation.
In South Carolina, BabyNet provides evaluations for children ages birth to three years old. It is always better to err on the side of evaluating a child and finding there is nothing to worry about than waiting it out and regretting it.
