Friday

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES

As a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, I have a variety of assessment tools available to help me screen and evaluate infants, toddlers and children, in order to determine whether they have a developmental delay. I work within a "multidisciplinary setting" which usually consists of a developmental pediatrician, a psychologist, a speech pathologist and a physical therapist. Each case is unique, and we sometimes needs to bring in other professionals. Each team member brings something different to the table, to ensure that the evaluation process is well rounded. Readers of this publication will be able to find many sources on the internet, magazine and books for the subject of "Developmental Milestones". I stress to parents that each baby/toddler/child is developing on his/her own time schedule. I really prefer to explain "Developmental Milestones" in terms of ranges and not exact ages, because in the real world, development is a "range". I encourage you to discuss your baby/child's development with your paediatrician at regular intervals. In the coming months, I will offer readers suggestions for stimulating your infant/toddlers development. Simple, effective activities can really help to expand their learning experiences.


RESOURCES

You can keep track of your baby's milestones by clicking here.

To access Social & Emotional Milestones, please click here.


Approximate Age (in months) achieved by percentage of children


Supine (back):
turns head easily from side to side, with head remaining the in the midline (middle) for most of the time. 2 months (50%), 2.5 months (75%), 3 months (90%).

Prone (stomach):
lifts head well, head facing forward. 2 months (50%), 2.5 months (75%), 3.5 months (90%).

Rolls:
rolls over completely in both directions. 2.5 months (50%), 3.5 months (75%), 4.5 months (90%).

Prone:
raises head and chest, while supporting self on forearms or arms.
3 months (50%), 3.5 months (75%), 4.5 months (90%).


Sitting:
in a supported sitting position, demonstrates good head control (head is steady and upright). 3 months (50%), 3.5 months (75%), 4.5 months (90%).

Sitting:
sits alone for 30 seconds or more. 6 months (50%), 7 months (75%), 8 months (90%).

Crawling:
Range: 6-10 months.

Pull to stand:
pulls self to stand by furniture. 6 months (50%), 7 months (75%), 8 months (90%).

Pre-walking Progression:
creeping on hands and knees or hands and feet; sit-and-hitch. 7 months (50%), 10 months (75%), 11 months (90%).

Transitional movements:
able to move from lying to sitting independently (without assistance). 8 months (50%), 9.5 months (75%), 11 months (90%).

Standing:
stands alone for 10 seconds or more. 10.5 months (50%), 13 months (75%), 14 months (90%).

Walking:
walks well independently (no adult assist). 12 months (50%), 13.5 months (75%), 14 months (90%).


Sources: The First Twelve Months of Life by Theresa and Frank Kaplan, Caring for your Baby and Young Child, by Steven P. Shelov, M.D. & Your Baby and Child by Penelope Leach.






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