Diaries of a child’s development

Everything a child does first - babbling, calling parents, learning to sit or walk - is a source of sheer joy.

Many parents record the special events of their children’s development. It is a good practice as this helps pediatricians trace the child’s development.

A child’s development and growth can be hampered at any stage. Things may run normally up to eight or nine years and then things may go wrong. Some children may reach puberty late. In such situations the history of the child is necessary.

A seven-month-old infant can sit without any help. She can properly express her emotions in response reply to others’ expressions and gestures at this age.

By nine months the child can properly internalise emotions and feelings. She can hold things with her fingers and can move her eyes in various directions, sitting on a particular position, and this allows her to become more inquisitive.

A child can crawl at eight months and can stand, holding another’s hand. Around her first birthday she can walk on her own.

These signs indicate the development of her nerve system.

A child learning to walk or talk later than natural does not necessarily means she is intellectually challenged. This may happen due to several reasons.

There are several treatments. Guardians should track the developmental phases of their children. Physicians must be contacted in case the development seems slow.

It is good to measure the height and weight of the child every six month to determine growth rate.

A range of causes from malnutrition to genetic disorders, lingering ailments along with hormonal causes may hamper development.

To diagnose the reasons, a childhood diary is crucial. It is good to keep such an album or diary.

*Pranab Kumar Chowdhury is a professor and head of pediatrics, Chittagong Medical College and Hospital