Motor Development / Developmental Milestones

Understanding Developmental Milestones and the Role of Physiotherapy in Child Development

At Klint Kids we focus on nurturing the health and development of children. As parents and caregivers, one of our primary concerns is ensuring that children are hitting their developmental milestones. These milestones are important indicators of a child’s growth and development. Understanding these benchmarks and the potential role of physiotherapy can significantly contribute to a child’s well-being.

What Are Developmental Milestones?

Developmental milestones are a set of functional skills or age-specific tasks that most children can do at a certain age range. These milestones are grouped into several key domains:

  • Gross Motor Skills: These involve large muscle activities like crawling, walking, and jumping.
  • Fine Motor Skills: These include smaller actions such as picking up objects between the thumb and finger, drawing, and writing.
  • Language Skills: These are associated with both understanding and producing language, including talking, understanding words, and following instructions.
  • Cognitive Skills: These involve learning, thinking, and problem-solving.
  • Social and Emotional Skills: These pertain to a child’s ability to interact with others, express emotions, and develop relationships.

 

Typical Milestones to Watch For

While every child develops at their own pace, there are typical age ranges when most children achieve certain milestones. Gross motor skills are often a first milestones that parents notice and this can be the right time to reach out for some advice. Here are a few examples:

  • By 6 -8 months: Most babies can roll over, sit without support, and begin to babble.
  • By 12 months: Many children are able to stand unsupported, say their first words, and respond to simple requests.
  • By 2 years: Children often can walk, run, and start to form simple sentences.
  • By 3 years: Most can climb well, speak in full sentences, and play make-believe games.

When to Seek Help from a Physiotherapist

It’s important to remember that slight variations in development are normal. However, if your child consistently misses milestones or shows signs of developmental delays, it might be time to consult a healthcare professional. The following milestones is when we typically become involved

–          Not holding head up perfectly when being held at 4 months
–          Not sitting by 8 months
–          Not standing by 12 months
–          Not walking by 18 months

The Role of Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can be an invaluable resource for children experiencing delays in their developmental milestones. At Klint Kids, our paediatric physiotherapists specialize in working with children and can help address a variety of issues:

Motor Skills Development: Through tailored exercises and activities, physiotherapists can help improve gross and fine motor skills, aiding in tasks like sitting, crawling, and walking, showing you how to hold and move your child with just the right amount of support.

Strength and Coordination: Strength-building exercises and coordination activities to feel movement and provide repetition via songs and play to get specific muscles working and moving.

Posture and Balance: Physiotherapists can provide strategies to improve posture and balance by holding difficult positions, waiting for responses to correct and learning to adjust to hold themselves up.

Individualized Care: Each child is unique, and physiotherapists at Klint Kids create personalized programs that cater to the specific needs of the child, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

How to Support Your Child’s Development at Home

In addition to professional help, there are many ways parents can support their child’s development:

Encourage Play: Playtime is essential for developing motor, cognitive, and social skills.

Provide a Safe Environment on the floor: Ensure that your home is safe for exploring and learning new skills and less use of chairs and walkers that limit movement.

Engage in Activities Together: Simple activities like reading, singing, and playing on the floor creates opportunities for movement and interaction.

Monitor Screen Time: Limit screen time. Encourage more physical activities to promote overall health and development.

At Klint Kids, we believe that every child deserves the best start in life. By understanding developmental milestones and utilizing resources like physiotherapy, we can help children grow, thrive, and reach their full potential. If you have any concerns about your child’s development, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Together, we can ensure that children have the support they need to succeed.