Will your child enter school ready to learn? Each child is unique, and parents will note that children in the same family have different personalities, different preferences, and different social patterns. However, most children follow a path of developmental milestones that include skills such as sitting up, crawling, saying a first word, etc. A great listing of developmental milestones can be found on the Department of Health and Human Services at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
A
child who does not reach these milestones at the same time other children do,
experience a developmental delay. Serious delays create gaps that
will have an impact on school achievement. Early
detection of delays allows ample time for parents or professionals to help a
child prior to school entry. In
South
Sioux City, free developmental screenings are held twice a
year. Some delays can be addressed
with physical activities, or increased social interaction, or a change in diet
and sleep. Other delays can be addressed by a specialist.
