Child Development Milestones Quiz

Study Notes

Developmental Milestones Overview

Developmental milestones serve as key indicators of a child's growth from infancy to childhood.
They help identify typical development and detect delays in various domains.
Milestones are categorized into five domains: gross motor, fine motor, language, cognitive, and social-emotional/behavioral.

Importance of Developmental Assessment

Assessing developmental milestones allows healthcare providers to recognize delays early, facilitating timely interventions.
Diagnostic tests play a crucial role in confirming developmental delays and guiding treatment plans.
Interprofessional teams are vital for accurate assessments of developmental milestones in children.

Typical Developmental Stages

2 months: Smiles, reacts to loud sounds, and makes sounds aside from crying.
4 months: Smiles to engage, coos, and holds toys placed in hand.
6 months: Knows familiar faces, laughs, and supports self on elbows when on tummy.
9 months: Shows anxiety around strangers, uses sounds like “ma” and “ba,” and can sit without help.
12 months: Responds to simple commands, pulls up to stand, and plays simple games like peek-a-boo.
15 months: Uses one or two words, copies actions of others, and begins to walk independently.
18 months: Points to interesting items, uses two hands for different tasks, and helps dress themselves.
24 months: Combines two words, shows understanding of simple directions, and plays with multiple toys.
30 months: Engages in parallel play, has a vocabulary of about 50 words, and demonstrates simple problem-solving.
3 years: Holds conversations, asks questions, and can draw simple shapes like circles.
4 years: Uses sentences with more than four words, names colors, and performs simple chores.
5 years: Follows rules in games, recounts stories, and begins basic counting and writing skills.

Identifying Developmental Delay

Developmental delay is indicated when a child fails to reach expected milestones relative to peers.
Early identification through assessments can improve long-term outcomes for children with delays.
Interaction and observation are essential for spotting behavioral concerns in young children.### Milestones by Age
Eighteen months
- Engages in pretend play and shows affection through kisses and hugs.
- Walks independently and climbs steps.
- Uses utensils for eating and can say several individual words.
- Points to one body part and scribbles with crayons or markers.
Two years
- Begins to engage in parallel play with other children.
- Stands on tiptoes, kicks, and throws a ball overhand.
- Forms two to four-word sentences; 50% of language understood by strangers.
- Stacks four or more blocks and follows two-step instructions.
Three years
- Can dress and undress self, copies actions of others, and takes turns.
- Navigates stairs with one foot per step and runs with ease.
- 75% of language understood by strangers; stacks six or more blocks.
- Turns pages in a book and interacts with buttons and knobs.
Four years
- Enjoys imaginative play and cooperative play with others.
- Hops on one foot and balances on one foot for two seconds.
- Capable of reciting poems or singing songs; understands basic grammar.
- Can identify some colors and numbers; draws a person with two to four body parts.
Five years
- Differentiates between real and pretend, desires similarity with friends.
- Balances on one foot for 10 seconds and performs somersaults.
- Uses future tense in speech, tells stories, and is easily understood by others.
- Counts to 10; draws a person with six body parts and prints some letters and numbers.

Assessment of Developmental Disorders

Surveillance
- Identifies children at risk or with developmental delays during well-child visits.
- Conducted using age-appropriate milestone checklists.
- Special attention crucial at 4 to 5-year visits prior to school entry.
Screening
- Targets asymptomatic children potentially at risk for developmental disorders.
- Utilizes standardized testing to identify risks.