For mothers, a constant concern is whether our children are developing with all the basic skills. We understand by psychomotor development basic skills such as moving, speaking or identifying to other people.
The Spanish Association of Pediatrics published a Practical Guide for Parents, You can download it in pdf in which it explains in an orientative way the skills that a baby acquires from birth to 3 years. If you see that this is not the case, we recommend that you consult a specialist.
Brief explanation of psychomotor development up to 3 years
We will try to explain what the development of your baby up to 3 years, but the best thing is that you look for extended information.
The first thing babies do is hold their head and from the 2 or 3 months will improve coordination of its limbs. At the end of 6 months he will be able to sit up and not lose his balance, it will also be the moment when his curiosity is aroused. Since the 6 months is already capable of sit alone and it will begin to try to move on its own. You will start to have non-verbal communication, things like waving goodbye or shaking your head. In his first year he will articulate words.
In the second year the child already knows how to walk and even climbing stairs, and is capable of kicking a ball. You can also handle some objects, such as a spoon, effectively. This will be the most splendid stage in which the child starts all the skills he has learned and uses them constantly. From the second sementre he will be almost autonomous and may try to imitate adults and their actions
Amongst the 2 and 3 years balance skills they are already very advanced. The child can hop on one foot, ride a tricycle, or ride structures with construction sets. It will be the time when he also seeks the company of other children to play.
This is a very brief explanation so do not be alarmed if your child does not meet the development of one hundred percent of the above. Each boy and girl has their own process, but it is good that you know the general.
What does a psychomotor retardation really mean?
Than a child do not walk When he is old enough to do so, he is unable to carry objects with force and precision, or is usually withdrawn before other people, does not imply per se that he suffers from psychomotor retardation, or that he cannot acquire these skills. In many cases where parents go to the consultations of pediatricians and neuropaediatricians with alarm, it is more of an apprehensive attitude on the part of the child or family members.
Experts do not know very well, with certainty and accuracy the factors that cause psychomotor retardation. It may arise from a genetic question or for a acquired problem, and in this case they can be intrauterine, caused during childbirth or occur postnatally: such as infections, vascular problems or trauma.
Thanks to neonatal screening, The so-called heel test, a blood test that is done on newborns to detect and be able to treat certain diseases early, cases of psychomotor retardation are less and less frequent. As the stimulation from the first months of life the quality of life of the affected child is greatly improved.
Some signs that can alert you
What the specialists are clear about is that there is a continuous and logical sequence between the physical development and the mental or mental development of children. One favors the other and vice versa. Some signs that can alert you to a psychomotor delay are, for example:
- About the 6 months baby is irritable, uses only one hand, shows little interest in surroundings, or is startled frequently.
- Si year does not move alone nowhere, he drools most of the time and puts all kinds of objects in his mouth.
- Yes to two years is very hyperactive and he is unable to concentrate on the activities of his age, or he does not understand the games that are proposed to him.
But remember, it is a specialist who must give you a diagnosis and evaluation.