It is an exciting and fulfilling experience for parents, guardians or caregivers to have a kiddo growing and developing. At these formative years, kids achieve crucial milestones such as walking, talking, and starting to explore their environment. However, it may also be a period of concern if your child is not catching up with the developmental expectations.
Spotting red flags in toddler development at an early stage can play a key role in a great extent to eliminate potential issues and gain the necessary support. It is really challenging to actually know what is normal and what isn’t, but with the assistance of proper tools and knowledge, you are empowered to be on the front foot in ascertaining your child’s prompt care and intervention.
Below, we are going to talk about how to recognize red flags in toddlers’ development, the significance of seeking early intervention, and managing the situation effectively.
Understanding Toddler Development Milestones
Initially, let’s check out some of the most common milestones within toddlers’ development in general. Children usually fall in the age of 1 to 3 years, and they make huge strides in cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. Some of the most frequent milestones are listed below:
- Physical milestones: Walking, running, climbing stairs, and acquiring fine motor skills like picking up small objects.
- Language milestones: Pronouncing their first words (at about 12 months), completing word-phrases of the simple kind (at around 18–24 months), and speaking with more complex sentences by age 3.
- Cognitive milestones: Being inquisitive, solving uncomplicated problems, and taking part in pretend play.
- Social and emotional milestones: Forging attachments, showing empathy, and mastering their own emotional expression.
Nonetheless, other children may find it difficult to keep up with these milestones or display unusual behaviors indicating that there might be developmental problems. Parents’ early identification of the warning signs is crucial for them to respond promptly and get the required professional help if needed.
Observing Early Signs of Developmental Problems in Toddlers
There are certain indications that may point to the fact that a child of early age is not getting to the point of development as is expected. These warning signs can be physical, emotional, social, or cognitive in nature. Although every kid evolves in tempo with their pace, regular handling with those matters can prompt the need for a closer examination.
1. Late Speech and Language Development
Of all the issues that could arise, language and speech speed are the most common among toddlers. By the time they hit 2 years old, the majority of children must know at least 50 words of the language, and by the age of 3, they should be able to make simple sentences of their own.
Things that you should observe are as follows:
- Not saying complex words at 15-18 months.
- Not being able to follow the name they are called by or understand the simplest commands.
- Children having issues with pronouncement or whose speech is not clear and understandable after they are 3 years old.
What parents can do is:
If you observe that the language of the child is not sufficient, do not hesitate to consult the pediatrician and if the situation is severe, he or she should be a speech-language pathologist. Therapy at an early stage can greatly benefit. You can see how with little progress, they can certainly get there.
2. No Social Interaction
By nature, babies and toddlers are social beings, but in the event that your child exhibits no apparent interest in interacting with others, this could be an indication of a potential developmental issue. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that may have social communication difficulties as a major symptom.
Red flags that you should see:
- Not making eye contact, the inability to get involved with peers or adults.
- Children who don’t answer when their name is called or are showing little interest in the social sphere.
- Children who don’t involve others in the game and are not willing to share or take turns have the disorder of solation or showing difficulty in possession of shared items.
What you can do:
Suppose you detect that your child is socially withdrawn or has problems interacting. Then it may be a good idea to have him/her take part in more social activities and keep an eye on him to see if there are any changes. Moreover, a developmental pediatrician can guide in identifying the nature of the problem through a consultation.
3. Delayed Motor Skills
It is a must that physical development such as crawling, walking, running, climbing happens in expected time frames. If a child is not walking by 18 months or has more than usual difficulty with coordination, it is a warning sign of a developmental issue.
Red flags to watch for:
- None.
- Difficulty with balance, standing, or movement independently.
- Problems with fine motor skills, e.g. picking up tiny objects or using eating utensils.
What you can do:
A physical therapist can examine motor skills and suggest exercises or strategies to enhance growth. In some situations, early intervention programs could deal with these motor delays and enhance the child’s motor coordination.
4. Behavioral Concerns
Moreover, extreme or atypical behaviour could also be a symptom of a developmental problem. Though it is normal for young children to exhibit some form of aggression, if the behaviour is either consistent or intense it may be symptomatic of appalling issues.
Red flags to watch for:
- Repeated crying or meltdown events that are abnormal for toddlers.
- Performing repetitive moves or any fixated behaviour like turning around or setting up objects in lines.
- Not being able to endure certain textures, sounds, or lights that are very irritating.
What you can do:
If you have observed that your child’s actions are disruptive or irregular, it would be good to consult a pediatrician or a psychologist, who will be able to diagnose the condition of your child, as there are other conditions like ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or autism that can cause similar behavior.
5. Lack of Interest in Play
Role-playing is an activity that is indispensable in a toddler’s development process, as it provides them with the virtual environment to develop their social, cognitive, and problem-solving skills. With little interest in play evidenced by a toddler or the absence of make-believe play even by the time they are 3 years old is a red flag indicating that the child is suffering from some form of a disorder.
Signs to be aware of:
- Children showing no interest in playing with toys or pretend play.
- Not having a desire to draw, build with blocks or be involved in any other creative activities.
- Watching others playing and being interested in participating instead.
What you can do:
Encourage a variety of play, whether it’s structured play or not, and choose the activities that are associated with creativity. If the problem with play does not disappear, then seeking the advice of a developmental expert is a good idea.
How to React to Developmental Concerns
Detecting and understanding developmental red flags on time is very important, however, knowing how to react is just as crucial. This is something you can do when you happen to notice the warning signs:
- Make a Check-List:
Observe the development of your child, and mark down the behaviors and milestones, and, in addition, the potential concerns. It will be useful during your conversation with the healthcare professional regarding the child’s development. - Speak to the Children’s Physician:
When you notice red flags, it’s best to start with your child’s pediatrician. Screenings can be done, or you might be referred to specialists, or receive advice about therapy from them. - Ask for Child’s Early Intervention:
Most of the time, the on-the-dot-com intervention programs will result in significant differences, the move of speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy being the perfect example that can facilitate children to overcome their developmental delays. - Keep a Happy Spirit and Be Supportive:
Through your patience and love, enable your child to grow and develop. Developmental concerns can indeed be overwhelming, yet a nurturing environment created by you will be the best solution that can help them thrive.
Spotting the signs of developmental delays in your toddler’s development can be tough, but it is necessary for your child to get the help needed to be able to grow and blossom. Being a proactive parent who stays on top of these issues ensures that innovative and effective resources are at your disposal. Furthermore, you can also be sure you’re stepping in early which is the ideal time to enable your child to overcome developmental issues and plan a better future for him/her.
