It does not matter if you are a new parent or have been in this situation before. You always look forward to the developmental milestones of your kids. Whether it is their first steps, laughing, smiling, or grabbing onto things, watching them do their little achievement is a win and a good indication that your kids are growing up healthy.
Taking note of your kid’s development will help you guide them to grow up properly. In this blog post, we’ll talk about some of the essential milestones your kids should achieve so you can track them and recognize potential developmental delays.
Types of Developmental Milestones
It’s common for parents to look forward to the day when their kids can walk, run, and play. However, that is but a portion of the progress. Child development has four different categories, and as a parent, you must take note of them.
Physical Milestones
Large motor abilities and fine motor skills are examples of physical milestones. Large motor skills include sitting, walking, and crawling. Fine motor skills refer to more precise movements your kids can do, such as grabbing their toys, lifting spoons, or using feeding bottles.
Kids learn at different rates. Little kids usually pick up large motor skills between 9 to 12 months. While this is common, some kids may achieve their physical milestones at a later time. However, if they are more than 18 months old and are still lagging, it might be best to talk to a specialist.
Cognitive Milestones
Cognitive milestones emphasize a child’s capacity for thought, learning, and problem-solving. Some examples of cognitive milestones are kids learning the alphabet or singing along with nursery rhymes. Playing with building blocks or toys and putting them together is a good sign of your kid’s problem-solving skills.
Social Milestones
Social milestones of little kids revolve around their understanding of their feelings and emotions, and how they interact with different people. Little kids are naturally shy and will shadow their parents. You can initiate their social skills by conversing with your kids as adults do.
You can also expose them to kids their age so they can experience socializing with other people. Some kids are naturally friendly, and some prefer looking instead of playing. Don’t force your toddlers to join in. They will interact when they are ready.
Language Milestones
Language milestones are all about your children’s speaking capabilities. A kid’s first word is music to every parent’s ears. This development stage includes both talking and understanding. During their first months, your kids smiling at you when talking to them is a good sign of understanding.
The first step to speaking is making sounds. Babies can make sounds of pleasure or irritation at 6 months to express their feelings. They will babble, giggle, and say easy words as they continue.
Physical Milestones Markers by Age Range
All developmental milestones are essential, but physical milestones usually manifest first. In fact, parents look forward to the day when babies learn to crawl or take their first step. Their physical milestones also indicate that they’re developing normally.
To help parents track their kid’s growth, here are some physical milestones they should observe at specific ages.
Between 2 to 4 months
- Beginning to push up when they are laying on their stomachs.
- Making voluntary movements with their arms and legs.
- Holding their head up.
- Supporting their own weight when standing with their feet flat on the ground.
Between 5 to 9 months
- Be able to stay sitting without support.
- Moving and grasping things from one hand to another.
- Crawling, rolling over, and trying to push themselves into a standing position.
- Pointing and reaching for things, especially their toys.
At 12 months
- Start picking up small pieces of food.
- Drinking from sippy cups.
- Go into a standing position without any support.
- Walking steps when someone is holding their hand.
Between 1 to 2 years old
- Running and walking forward and backward.
- Eating with a spoon and fork.
- Shaking and throwing things.
- Able to hold onto things like crayons or pencils.
Remember That Every Child Is Different
Your children’s milestones come in different time windows. But you should know that not every kid achieves their first step or learns how to crawl at the same time. Some physical milestones may take longer to learn. The age range, as shown above, is just an approximation of when parents can expect to see these skills manifest.
Some kids will learn at the same time as their peers, some can learn early, and some may be late. But it doesn’t necessarily mean they are gifted or have developmental delays. There are also many factors that affect their developmental milestones, so you should also consider those.
Milestones are also progressive. Your kids need to learn the basic skills before moving on to the more advanced ones. For example, before your kids can stand and walk, they first have to learn how to sit and crawl. They must learn how to balance and develop their upper body and leg muscles.
However, you can always contact your physician if there are any causes for worry.
Protect Your Crawling Babies With Knee Pads From Ashtonbee
Your kids will be crawling around your home in no time. This is a good indication of their development, and crawling is a form of physical activity that benefits your children’s health. Instead of restricting your kids from crawling, give their knees ample protection.
Ashtonbee’s baby knee pads for crawling are a must-have for your growing little ones. Here are some of its great features.
- Soft cushion to protect your baby’s knees: Your kid’s knees are delicate, so Ashtonbee ensures that the cushion is soft enough for comfort, but padded enough to protect your kid’s knees from bumps and bruises.
- The knee pads are made from premium materials: The knee pads are crafted from organic cotton that keeps the knees fresh and doesn’t constrict the skin.
- The knee pads are easy to maintain: The product is washing machine and dryer-safe.
- Good value for money:Each pack contains three neutral-colored knee pads for only $12.99.
To complete your baby’s knee protection, you can pair Ashtonbee’s baby knee pads with our baby play mat. Our foam play mat creates a safe space where your kids can play, crawl, and roll safely. It has thick, anti-slip padding to protect your kids from falls, and is made from non-toxic materials.
Final Thoughts
Developmental milestones are a good indication of proper growth. Growth milestones come in specific time windows. As parents, it’s your duty to nurture your kids so they can grow properly. We hope this overview of their milestones helps you track their development better.
If you want more parenting tips, visit Ashtonbee’s blog! And don’t forget to browse our collection of premium-quality baby needs. We have everything, from feeding tools, baby bikes, high chairs, and changing pads, to safety accessories. Shop with us today!
