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Developmental Milestones and What They Really Mean

By David Cummings

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 18Feb2009
Word count: 519
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"Johnny just rolled over. Has Suzie rolled over yet?" If you have ever been with a group of moms of young babies, you have probably heard a conversation similar to this one. What are they discussing? They are discussing developmental milestones. Nothing can send a new mom into a fit of worry over her baby's development faster than a missed milestone. Before you start panicking about your baby's development, learn a little more about milestones and what they mean for you.

Just What Are Developmental Milestones?

Developmental milestones are skills that babies and children learn. Research has shown that most babies will pick up certain skills around a certain age. Doctors use these milestones to track whether or not a baby is developing properly. This is why your child's pediatrician will ask if your baby is smiling, laughing, rolling over, among other things. These skills typically fall into the following categories: Social - Cognitive - Gross Motor - Fine Motor - Language

There is typically an age range, not a specific age, in which a child should pick up a certain skill. For instance, most babies can sit up unassisted for a few moments between four and seven months of age.

What if My Baby Is Late?

Developmental milestones provide you with a guide to your child's development. As a parent, you must realize that all babies and children are different. Some children will talk early and walk late, while others will master all of their gross motor skills early but struggle to learn to talk. If your child is a bit late reaching a milestone, do not panic. Do what you can to encourage her to learn that skill, but let her develop at her own pace.

With that being said, if your child is consistently delayed to reach her milestones, you should talk to her doctor. It is probably not a cause for concern, but most states have early learning programs that you can access to help you help your baby catch up and reach those milestones on time. Early intervention is the key to helping a child with a true developmental delay.

My Baby Is Ahead - Is He a Genius?

Some babies develop certain skills early. They may talk in sentences before their first birthday or walk before they crawl. This can indicate that they are advanced, but this is not always the case. Many times all it means is that they reached a milestone ahead of their peers. Continue to nurture your child's strengths and let him enjoy his childhood. If he is a genius, there will be plenty of time to tap into that knowledge later.

Avoid the Comparing Game

As a parent it is easy to compare your baby to other babies around you. Just because your best friend's baby was walking by age one does not mean your baby needs to be. Remember, your baby is an individual, with individual tastes, strengths, and weaknesses. Let her develop at her own pace, intervening only when your doctor feels it will help. She will soon blossom into the delightful child you are imagining!

David Cummings is a devoted parent and husband and a regular author on many family topics. He is devoted to helping parents build better family time together and to ensuring a brighter future for all children through his contributions to children-oriented organizations. David is also the General Manager for Bustling Baby, LLC - a company that knows the business of parenting and offers a wide variety of products to make family travel easier, such as the Safety 1st Acella Travel System

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