Developmental Milestones (Stages of Development)

Definition:

Skills that most children can do by a certain age
- Physical motor skills
- Language
- Social cognitive skills

Importance:

Identifying delays is crucial to prevent severe disablement
Nurses must identify and report delays to healthcare providers (HCP) immediately

Key Milestones (2 months - 2 years)

Gross Motor Skill: Head lag (poor head control)
Fine Motor Skill: Grasp reflex
Reflexes:
- Babinski Reflex (0-12 months)
- Rooting Reflex (0-4 months)
- Tonic Neck Reflex (0-4 months)
Language: Responds to touch and voices; sensory-motor communication
Social Cognitive: Finds safety with caregivers; looks at caregivers' faces

Gross Motor Skill: Kicking legs; raising head when prone; less head lag
- Memory trick: Two legs at 2 months
Fine Motor Skill: Grasp reflex diminishes
Language: Responds to sound; makes sounds with mouth
Social Cognitive: Shows smiles and coos for familiar faces
- Memory trick: Smiles at the second month

Gross Motor Skill: No more head lag after 4 months
- Memory trick: After month four, head lag no more
- Term: Head remains behind shoulders when raised from supine to sitting
Gross Motor Skill (5 months): Rolls from front to back
Fine Motor Skill: Grasps objects voluntarily (e.g., a rattle)
- Moro Reflex (startle reflex) diminishes
Language: Mimics sounds; changes cry tone for different needs
Social Cognitive: Soothed by caregivers' voices; copies expressions; cries when not getting their way

Gross Motor Skill: Birth weight doubles at 6 months
- Memory trick: Birth weight doubles at 6 months
Motor Skills:
- Roll from back to front
- Sit up unsupported
- Pull self up
- Safety concern: Remove musical mobiles to prevent strangulation
Fine Motor Skill:
- Hold a big bottle (6 months)
- Transfer objects from one hand to other (7 months)
Language:
- Babbles words (e.g., mama, dada)
- Responds to own name
- Report if not babbling by 9 months
Social Cognitive: Identifies faces and strangers

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