There are certain moments in life that stand out, ones we look forward to with excitement and anticipation and then treasure in our memory for a lifetime. Watching your baby smile for the first time, seeing them begin to play and interact with the world around them and being there for your baby’s first steps are just a few of those precious moments. So it is no wonder that we worry when these things do not happen as we expect.

It can be so easy to look around at other people’s children in playgroups and compare your child’s development to others. When should your child start walking? At what age should you become concerned and seek professional advice if they are not yet sitting or crawling? There is so much conflicting information out there, not to mention all the, not so helpful but well meaning “do gooders” offering unsolicited advice and reasons as to why your little one isn’t rolling compared to their child of the same age, who just happens to be crawling already.

Being a new parent is stressful enough, so to help take away the stress of your child’s development, here is an approximate guide to some of the gross developmental milestones of a child in the first 3 years of life. Please do remember these are only guidelines and every child is unique in their development so if you have any concerns or queries just ask your children’s physio for a developmental assessment.

• 6 weeks: Sits with back curved and support. Head control is starting to develop.
• 6 months: When puling your child from lying on their back, up into sitting, your child maintains their head control and brings their head up with them.
• 9 months: your baby can get into the sitting position independently. Can sit unsupported and pivot in sitting. Your child also crawls at this age. (Age of crawling varies widely and some babies never crawl. If you have concerns re crawling ask your children’s physio).
• 10 months: pulls themself up to standing and stands holding onto surfaces.
• 12 months: your baby can stand and walk holding one hand. May start standing alone briefly. May begin taking their first steps.
• 18 months: walks well. Climbs stairs holding onto rail. Runs. Seats self in chair.
• 2 years: can go up and down stairs on their own (two feet per step). Kicks a ball.
• 3 years: climbs stairs one foot at a time. Able to stand on one foot and balance for a few seconds.

 

 

Most children take their first steps somewhere between 11-15 months, but the rate of development is variable and unique to each child. Even if your child takes longer than expected it is not a sign of any long term implications. Walking is considered delayed if it has not been achieved by 18 months.

If you have any questions about childhood development or any concerns about the rate of your child’s development do not hesitate to get a developmental assessment by your children’s physio. Whilst your GP or paediatrician may be able to do a developmental assessment, a children’s physio is an expert in development and can assess and commence treatment to help your child on their way.

What have you found useful to aid your child’s development? Do you have any anecdotes or thoughts about a babies development? Please leave any comments or queries in the comment box below….