Is my child developing normally?

If you are concerned about your child’s development, in this article you can review child development norms by month. Each child’s development is unique, so the skills listed are based on averages and do not necessarily indicate delays. This guide is based on the Denver Developmental Test and assesses development in four main areas: gross motor, fine motor, language and personal-social domains.

These skills, which we classify according to age, are average values and do not indicate delays. In this guide, which I have written based on the Denver development test, we evaluate development under the following headings. These are gross motor, fine motor, language and personal-social areas.

Child Development: Basic Areas and Importance

Child development refers to how children acquire and advance their physical, mental, emotional and social skills from birth to adolescence. This process is the cornerstone of a child’s life and healthy development is critical to their future success. Child development is usually assessed under four main headings: gross motor, fine motor, language and personal-social domains. Gross motor skills involve movements using large muscle groups and include activities such as walking, running and jumping. Fine motor skills require coordination of small muscle groups and include tasks such as writing and buttoning buttons. The development of these skills plays an important role in helping the child gain independence and maintain activities of daily living.

Language Development and Communication Skills

Language development involves the child’s ability to understand and use words and form sentences. This skill enables the child to communicate effectively with their environment and forms the basis of their social interactions. The early development of language skills enhances a child’s ability to express their feelings, articulate their needs and build social relationships. As children develop their vocabulary and begin to form sentences, they are better able to understand the world and actively participate in the learning process. Parents and caregivers can support children’s language development by talking to them, reading to them and doing various activities.

Social and Emotional Development

Personal-social development encompasses the process of recognizing one’s own feelings, understanding the feelings of others and developing social skills. Development in this area strengthens the child’s ability to empathize, cooperate and build healthy relationships. The development of social skills at an early age plays an important role in a child’s adaptation to school and participation in group activities. Parents providing a loving and safe environment for their children ensures their emotional security and lays the foundation for healthy social development. Playgroups and social activities also help children to reinforce their social skills.

Role of Parents and Supportive Environment

Parents and caregivers play a critical role in child development. Understanding the child’s developmental needs and responding appropriately to these needs is essential for a healthy developmental process. Providing a rich and stimulating environment that supports children’s skills helps them to realize their potential at the highest level. It is important to contribute to children’s learning and development by providing educational materials, games and opportunities for social interaction. In addition, regular health check-ups and developmental assessments allow for early detection of possible delays and the necessary measures to be taken. The healthy growth and development of children has a positive impact on their future academic success and quality of life.

0-1 Month

• Rough Motor: Can lift head slightly in prone position.
• Fine Motor: The hand is shaped like a fist, can follow with the eyes to the midline.
• Language: Reacts to sound, such as blinking, jumping.
• Personal-Social: Can look people in the face.

1 Month

• Gross Motor: Can hold head upright up to 90 degrees.
• Fine Motor: Hands are no longer balled into fists, can follow an object with the eye from the center line to the edge.
• Language: Smiles when spoken to and cared for.
• Personal-Social: Observes his/her surroundings with interest.

3 Months

• Gross Motor: Lying prone, lifts torso with arms, holds head upright comfortably.
• Fine Motor: Hands open, grasps and pulls objects to self.
• Language: Makes sounds of pleasure.
• Personal-Social: Reaches for familiar people and things, recognizes feeding.

5 Months

• Gross Motor: Sits with support.
• Fine Motor: Uses both hands and arms to pick up objects.
• Language: Looks in the direction of the sound, makes agu agu sounds.
• Personal-Social: Likes to look around.

7 Months

• Gross Motor: Turns over, sits without support.
• Fine Motor: Uses both hands separately, takes objects from one hand to the other, holds a bottle.
• Language: Makes single syllable sounds (da da, ba ba, ma ma), understands and does the clapping game.
• Personal-Social: Takes strangers by surprise, puts his/her foot in his/her mouth.

9 Months

• Gross Motor: Can crawl, likes to stand.
• Fine Motor: Holds with thumb and index finger, uses bottle, eats with fingers.
• Language: Imitates sounds.
• Personal-Social: Starts to wonder and rummage around.

12 Months

• Gross Motor: Can walk with or without help.
• Fine Motor: Picks up objects with fingers and throws them on the floor, puts down a toy.
• Language: Gives and understands simple commands, says two words.
• Personal-Social: Shows his/her parents when he/she wets his/her diaper.

15 Months

• Gross Motor: Walks easily, crawls up the stairs.
• Fine Motor: Turns book leaves two or three at a time, fills his/her spoon and eats by himself/herself.
• Language: Knows five words, uses the pronoun “I” correctly.
• Personal-Social: Imitates household chores, plays with other children.

18 Months

• Gross Motor: Runs, throws objects without falling while standing.
• Fine Motor: Builds a tower with five cubes, can hold a cup and drink from it.
• Language: Knows seven to twenty words, knows his/her organs and shows them with his/her finger.
• Personal-Social: Describes the need for food and toileting with words or signs.

24 Months

• Gross Motor: Can climb up and down stairs without help, squat.
• Fine Motor: Turns the pages of a book one by one, uses fork and spoon.
• Language: Knows fifty words, forms two-word sentences.
• Personal-Social: Takes off his/her own shoes and pants, says his/her first and last name.

3 Years

• Gross Motor: Uses a tricycle, can climb stairs with two feet.
• Fine Motor: Can hold a pencil similar to adults, unbutton buttons.
• Language: Describes events, knows gender.
• Personal-Social: Shares toys, plays with other children.

4 Years

• Gross Motor: Jumps, can stand on one leg.
• Fine Motor: Catches a ball thrown to him/her, can button a button.
• Language: Knows colors, recites songs and poems.
• Personal-Social: Plays group games, tells imaginary tales.

5 Years

• Gross Motor: Jumps on one leg, participates in competitive games.
• Fine Motor: Ties his/her shoes, spreads butter on bread with a knife.
• Language: Writes his/her name, asks for words he/she does not understand.
• Personal-Social: Follows rules, participates in group games.

If your child’s development follows these general guidelines, he or she is most likely developing normally. However, it is important to remember that every child develops at his or her own pace. If there is a significant delay in development or if you have any concerns, it is worth consulting a pediatrician.

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