Childhood development milestones are a list of skills that children attain as they grow. In Dr Melillo's book "Disconnected Kids", he provides detailed developmental milestones for typical childhood development. While some of these milestones (listed below) may differ from the standard norms accepted by society today, Dr Melillo believes based on his extensive knowledge and research on the developing brain, that his are more accurate and we tend to agree! Keep scrolling to find out why developmental milestones are important, and what you can do if your child has missed any.
Why are Milestones Important?
If a milestone is delayed or missed, it can raise concern that the child is not developing at the correct rate. A delayed Milestone may simply be a form of "transient developmental delay" which means the delay is typically relating to premature birth, prolonged illness, or environmental/family stress. In these cases a child often catches up with the milestones and either speeds through them or skips them altogether with no long term harm.
However, if a child presents with persistent developmental delay, it means that the milestones are not only completely missed but are also affecting the development of the child. In these cases, it’s also likely that the child has retained primitive reflexes. This is important as even a slight delay can have long term effects on cognitive development into adulthood.
For example, a child may be considered significantly delayed if he or she has not walked by the end of 13 months and will be more likely to have delays in speaking, reading, learning and social skill development (depending on whether there is a left or right brain delay). They may also exhibit peripheral behavior patterns such as aggression, tantrums, disturbed sleep, repetitive body movements, anxiety and sensitivity to sounds, touches, sights and taste. In this case, there is evidence of developmental milestone delay which has not been outgrown and can only be corrected with proper interventions.
What To Do If My Child Is Missing Milestones?
Does something not seem right with your child? Are you concerned they may have missed some milestones? It's ok! There is hope!
There are links between learning disorders and milestones that are delayed. If you believe your child is missing milestones and are worried it could be ADHD or Autism, book a call to speak with one of our Connected Kidz Team members today. It may just put your mind at ease, or if you do discover some delays, we can help you with proven exercises designed to help your child overcome developmental delays.
