Development: - Development is referred to acquisition of a variety of competencies for functioning optimally in society. In general, it is assessed by achievement of milestones. Developmental delay (Delayed milestones) is considered when the child does not reach the milestone expected at his/her age.

Normal developmental milestones:-

Age	Milestone
6 weeks	Smiles, Coos Some amount of head control Startles on sudden noise
4 months	Achieves head control
6 months	Can sit or try to sit Enjoys bath Plays peek-a-boo Puts things in mouth Responds to own name Starts rolling over Babbles
9 months	Shows objects to mother Pats mirror image Speaks "mama" "dada" Understands "No" Crawls, pulls to stand Waves "Ta ta"
12 months	Comes when called Finds hidden objects Understands some words Throws objects Walks with support Cruises round furniture
18 months	Can self spoon feed Does dusting, sweeping Can point to 3 body parts Say 6-8 words Scribbles Builds tower of 3-4 cubes Walks well on his own Can climb stairs
24-30 months	Dry by day Speak 2-3 word pleases Has vocabulary of 50 words Puts on shoes, socks Tricycles Can climb down stairs Run, kick ball
3-4 years	Goes to toilet on his own Sings nursery rhymes Can count to 10 Gives full name Can speak 3-5 word sentences Can match colors Can climb down stairs like an adult
4-5 years	Can dress himself except for tying laces or tie Can count upto 20 Can speak grammatical speech Can catch a ball, skip and hop.

If the developmental milestones are found to be delayed, early referral to the pediatrician should be made.

Last updated on 15-2-2006