Pediatric Developmental Milestones: What To Expect and When To Seek Help

What Are Developmental Milestones?

While every child develops at their own pace, there are general guidelines for when particular pediatric milestones should occur.

Developmental milestones are a set of skills or abilities that most children achieve by a certain age. Milestones can help provide a framework to monitor a child's progress and detect any potential development delays or issues.

Regular check-ups can help with monitoring your child's growth and development. If you're looking for a pediatrician in the East Wichita, West Wichita, and Derby, KS areas, the doctors at Mid Kansas Pediatric Associates can help.

Key Developmental Milestones and When to Expect Them

Motor Skills

By the age of 6 months, most babies can grasp objects and by 18 months, they should be able to stack blocks or turn pages in a book. 

Most children start crawling between 6–10 months and may take their first steps around 12–15 months.

Language and Communication

By the age of 3, children should be able to pronounce most consonant sounds and might start forming simple sentences around 2 (they usually understand and follow simple directions at this age too). 

Social and Emotional Development 

Within their first year, babies usually start showing a range of emotions. By 6–9 months, they typically start to engage in interactive play with others. 

Cognitive Development

By the age of 2, most children can solve simple problems, like fitting shapes into holes. Toddlers also can better memory and recall abilities as they approach 2 years of age. 

If you're unsure whether your child is hitting their milestones, book an appointment with a pediatrician at Mid Kansas Pediatric Associates, conveniently located at East Wichita, West Wichita, and Derby, KS. 

When to Seek Help

It might be time to see a pediatrician if your child isn't: 

• Babbling by 9 months
• Using single words by 18 months
• Forming sentences by 2 years

If they're having difficulty with coordination or not achieving their motor milestones, this might be another sign to see a doctor. 

Other things to flag include consistent difficulties with social and emotional issues and cognitive delays, like if your child struggles with problem-solving.

Lastly, if your child loses skills they once had, such as language or motor skills, see a doctor immediately.

Book a Pediatric Consultation

As a parent, recognizing when to seek help is vital. If you're looking for a pediatrician in the East Wichita, West Wichita, and Derby, KS areas, look no further than the doctors at Mid Kansas Pediatric Associates. To book an appointment, call our offices at:

• East Wichita: (316) 634-2000
• West Wichita: (316) 773-3100
• Derby: (316) 719-2001