As a parent, you spend a great deal of time thinking about where your child is along his or her developmental journey. Each stage is exciting, and it has us eagerly awaiting our child to take their first steps or say their first words. This anticipation is wonderfully healthy, as it motivates you to encourage your child’s strong path to hitting their developmental milestones; however, it can also be a place of healthy concern. Here are a few important things to consider when evaluating your child’s development.
Try Not to Compare Too Much
The saying, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” rings true when thinking about developmental milestones—especially when taking social media into account, as you watch your friends’ and families’ children develop. While every child moves at their own pace, it’s easy to begin wondering why your friend’s baby is walking already or saying their first words when yours isn’t.
Proud parents love to talk about their children’s milestones. It’s only natural—they are proud of their child and they want to share that pride with you. However, comparing your child’s milestone progression to others’ children can make you feel as though your child is behind, causing you to worry unnecessarily.
Every Child Develops at Their Own Pace
Your child may not hit every milestone when they “should” or when their peers do. The schedule by which many judge development is not an exact science. Each milestone follows a broad range, and some children will be faster in some areas and slower in others. They may be slower to walk, but they could be advanced in their other motor skills. They could walk earlier than their peers but develop speech skills later. This slower pace does not mean that they will not be skilled in that area, but rather on their own schedule.
Above all, if your child is developing a bit behind his or her peers, it doesn’t necessarily indicate that he or she has a more serious developmental delay.
Delayed Development is More Than “A Bit Behind”
When evaluating your child’s skill progression—motor, cognitive, speech and language, and social and emotional skills—consider that being slightly behind does not mean that they are delayed. A developmental delay is characterized by a child continually not meeting milestones in one or more areas for a longer period of time. This distinction is important when considering your child’s progress, as it’s completely normal for your child to move at a pace all their own.
If you do feel that your child may have a developmental delay, it is crucial to consult with your pediatrician about your concerns. The earlier a professional intervenes, the earlier your child can get the help they need. To learn more, take a look at the CDC’s child development resources.
Monitoring Your Child’s Milestones at Preschool
The Gardner School closely monitors your child’s developmental progress. We communicate openly and frequently with TGS parents to ensure that your child has the support he or she needs to develop at a natural pace. Contact us with any questions you may have about our education-based curriculum or to schedule a virtual tour of your local school.