Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Spanish version
Developmental Stimulation
Description
The most rapid changes in development occur during the first
year of life. A baby grows from a helpless little bundle
into a walking, talking, unique personality. Almost all
parents wonder if their baby is developing at the right
pace. There is wide variation in normal development.
Although the average child walks at 12 months, the normal
age for walking is any time between 9 and 16 months of age.
Motor development occurs in an orderly sequence, starting
with lifting the head, then rolling over, sitting up,
crawling, standing, and walking. Although the sequence is
predictable and follows the maturation of the spinal cord
downward, the rate at which these stages happen varies.
Speech develops from cooing to babbling, to imitating speech
sounds, to first words, to using words together. Again,
however, the normal rate can vary considerably.
The most reassuring signs that a child is developing
normally are an alert facial expression, alert eyes, and
curiosity about his or her surroundings. The main
determinant of a child's social, emotional, and language
development is the amount of positive contact he or she has
with his parents. The experiences during the first 3 years
of life determines the permanent "wiring" of the brain.
Ways to Stimulate Your Child's Normal Development
- Hold your baby as much as possible.
Touching and cuddling is good for your baby. Give him
or her lots of eye contact, smiles, and affection. Use
feedings as a special opportunity for these warm
personal interactions.
- Talk to your baby.
Babies of all ages enjoy being talked and sung to.
Babies must first hear language before they can use it
themselves. You don't need a script--just put into
words whatever you are thinking and feeling.
- Play with your baby.
If this doesn't come easy for you, try to loosen up and
rediscover your free spirit. Respond to your baby's
attempts to initiate play. Provide your baby with
various objects of interest. Toys need not be
expensive; for example, homemade mobiles, rattles,
spools, pots and pans, and boxes. Encourage your baby's
efforts at discovering how to use his or her hands and
mind.
- Read to your baby.
Even 4-month-olds enjoy looking at pictures in a book.
Cut out interesting pictures from magazines and put them
in a scrapbook for your baby. Look at the family photo
album. By 8 months of age, begin reading stories to
your child.
- Show your baby the world.
Enrich his or her experience. Point out leaves, clouds,
stars, and rainbows. Help your toddler describe what
she sees or experiences. Everything we see or do has a
name.
- Provide your child with social experiences with other
children by age 2 years.
If he or she is not in day care, consider starting or
joining a play group. Young children can learn
important lessons from each other, especially how to get
along with other people.
- Avoid formal teaching until age 4 or 5.
Some groups have recently overemphasized academic
(cognitive) development of young children. The effort
to create "superkids" through special lessons, drills,
computer programs, and classes can put undue pressure on
young children and may result in an early loss of
interest in learning. Old-fashioned creative play and
spontaneous learning provide a foundation for later
academic efforts and are much more beneficial during the
early years.
Call Your Child's Physician During Office Hours If Your
Child Does Not Meet the Following Developmental Milestones:
- Speech and hearing
- Makes gurgling, cooing, or babbling sounds by age
3 months.
- Turns head to quiet sounds or whispers by age
9 months.
- Makes "ma-ma" and "da-da" sounds by age 12 months.
- Uses at least 3 specific words by age 2 years.
- Fine motor skills
- Plays with hands by touching them together by age
6 months.
- Uses fingers to put pieces of food in mouth by age
12 months.
- Uses a cup without spilling by age 18 months.
- Gross motor skills
- Rolls over by age 6 months.
- Sits without support by age 9 months.
- Supports own weight on legs when held under the arms
by a parent by age 9 months.
- Walks across a large room without help by age
18 months.
Source: Milestones reprinted with permission of William
K. Frankenburg, M.D., 1986.
|