Child development is a beautiful part of growing up- learning to use our bodies and minds to enjoy life to the full. We all develop at different rates and we all have our talents and our soft spots. As adults we can look back and see how our development led towards us being the person we are today.
Sometimes it is hard to tell if your child’s natural talents and “soft spots” are going to sort themselves out or if they could do with some help. One of the best indicators is if your child is expressing upset or frustration around particular activities, even if everyone around you is saying “Don’t worry, they will grow out of it”.
This is where a routine child development check is so helpful!
For kids who are not experiencing challenges it is a good way to identify strengths and use this information to add to your daily life- an example might be your 4 year old is a very good and jumping, hopping and climbing so we know sport will be a joy in their life.
For kids who are experiencing challenges it is a great way to get some early help. A good example is the 4 year old who loves sport but can’t keep up or kick a ball as well as they want to. Some early physiotherapy can do them the world of good and they can follow their love of sport confidently into the rest of their lives.
So when do I really need to get a development check for my 4 year old?
See your GP or CaFHs nurse if your child:
- gets upset or distressed when trying to do things even if it seems they are doing ok for their age
- avoids doing things e.g. avoiding drawing or trying to write their name
- has trouble seeing or hearing things
- doesn’t use sentences of more than three words.
- Struggles to understand two-part commands like ‘Put the doll down, and pick up the ball’
NOTE FOR FRAZZLED PARENTS: this can often present as “not listening” eg A parent asks the child to pick up their bag and get their shoes on but only one or neither happens! It looks like the child is being disobedient!! This could be a development issue or it could be behavioural or both! Either way, get help! - doesn’t pretend during play – for example, doesn’t pretend to be mum or dad
- has very challenging behaviour – for example, has big tantrums over very small things or still clings or cries when you leave
- seems very afraid, unhappy or sad a lot of the time.
- is clumsy – for example, trips over a lot when walking or running
- finds it hard to handle small objects – for example, a pencil or crayon
- has trouble drawing shapes – for example, a circle or cross
- has difficulty eating, dressing or using the toilet.
The Oakden Kids Clinic continues to provide bulk billed routine child development checks. Just let reception you are booking in for a child development check when you ring.
