Developmental Delays: What Every Parent Needs to Know
From Crawling to Conversing: The Developmental Milestones of Three-Year-Olds
At 3 years old, children typically demonstrate a range of developmental milestones. Here are some common skills and abilities that 3-year-olds may display:
Language development:
3-year-olds can usually speak in simple sentences of 3-4 words like I want play ball, look at this, cold water, I don’t want, help me; they also use pronouns such as “I” and “you,” and use basic grammar. They may ask lots of questions like where is it? When we go? Who give this? They also enjoy telling stories, and enjoy singing songs.
Cognitive development:
3-year-olds can typically sort objects by shape and color, understand basic concepts such as “big” and “small,” and count one to three. They can complete simple puzzles and match objects. They enjoy using their imaginations to create pretend scenarios with toy kitchens, doctor kits, and playhouses.
Motor development:
3-year-old children are capable of running, jumping, and climbing, as well as walking up and down stairs with alternating feet. They may also be able to pedal a tricycle with some assistance or independently They can hold a pencil or crayon and draw simple shapes and lines. They also can change their clothes with some assistance from an adult. By this age, many children can pull off their own socks and shoes, remove their own pants or shorts, and pull shirts over their head.
Social and emotional development:
3-year-olds can play with other children, take turns, and share toys (although this can still be a challenge at times). They understand basic emotions such as happy, sad, and angry. They also start to aware of other people’s feelings. They may offer comfort to others who are upset and try to help others in need.
Children do pick up a wide range of skills during the first 3 years of their life. This is a critical period of development, where children’s brains are rapidly growing and forming neural connections that will shape their future cognitive, emotional, and social development.
The Developmental Delay Dilemma: How to Determine When Your Child Needs Help
Parenting can be full of uncertainty, especially when you’re not sure if your child’s development is on track. When your little one is still not doing certain things yet, and it’s hard not to feel anxious about it. If you have concerns about your child’s development, here are some signs that may indicate a delay. Here are some examples:
- Limited or no speech:
If your child is not speaking or has very limited speech, poor eye contact, rarely respond to your calling, always play alone or seldom request for food or help verbally or pulling your hand to request for food or help. It may be a sign of a delay in language development.
- Difficulty with fine or gross motor skills:
If your child has difficulty with basic motor skills, such as running, jumping, or using utensils, it may be a sign of a delay in motor development. - Social or behavioral concerns:
If your child has difficulty interacting with others, does not respond to their name, or shows unusual behaviors or interests, it may be a sign of a delay in social or behavioral development.
It is true that every child develops at their own pace. However, if you have concerns about your child’s development, it is always a good idea to talk to a professional about it.
From Psychologist to Therapist: Understanding the Professionals Who Can Help Your Child
Our Clinical Psychologist can provide a comprehensive evaluation to determine if there are any developmental delays or other concerns like Autism, ADHD, Speech Delays… etc that require intervention or treatment. They can also provide guidance on the appropriate therapies like speech therapy, occupational therapy, Early Intervention Program, ABA or Social Skills Training to address any identified issues. Please do not hesitate to contact us to schedule an appointment with our Clinical Psychologist.
From Concern to Action: Early Intervention Program (EIP)
Early Intervention Programs (EIP) are a common form of therapy for young children with developmental delays or disabilities (e.g. ASD, ADHD, GDD, Speech Delay…). Our EIP programs are designed to provide services to children above three years old who may have developmental delays or disabilities. The goal of our EIP programs is to provide early identification and intervention to improve developmental outcomes and promote the child’s overall well-being.
Early intervention is important to help children with developmental delays to reach their full potential. By identifying and addressing any issues early, you can help your child get the support they need to succeed. Our EIP program is one-to-one teaching. One-to-one teaching can be beneficial for many reasons, particularly for children with delays. Here are some of the reasons why one-to-one teaching can be better:
- Individualized attention:
With one-to-one teaching, the child can receive individualized attention and support from our therapist. This can allow therapist to tailor the treatment plan to the child’s individual needs, strengths, and weaknesses - Focus and engagement:
With one-to-one teaching, the child is less likely to be distracted or disengaged, which can improve their learning and retention of information.
- Progress tracking:
One-to-one teaching can allow for more accurate progress tracking, as the therapist can closely monitor the child’s performance and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
- Increased confidence:
One-to-one teaching can provide a more supportive and nurturing environment, which can help build the child’s confidence and self-esteem.
- Flexibility:
With one-to-one teaching, therapist can be more flexible in their approach to instruction and can adapt to the child’s individual learning style.
Of course, there are also benefits to group learning environments, such as socialization and peer learning. Hence, our EIP program include playgroup as part of the program. Our playgroups provide a structured and supportive environment for children to learn, play, and socialize with peers.
Count on Us: We Are Here to Help You
You don’t have to navigate your child’s developmental concerns alone. We offer a range of services and resources to help support your family’s needs. Here are our services:
- Screening & Diagnosis by Clinical Psychologist
- Early Intervention Program (EIP)
- Social Skills Training
- Parenting Coaching
You can contact us through:
Phone: +6 010 831 4667
WA : http://wa.me/60108314667
Email: enquiry@kidzsteps.com.my
ADHD, autism, developmental delays, early intervention program, special needs
