New app helps parents track and encourage their child ’s development

Follow me on Twitter @drClaire Most parents, at some time or another, wonder whether their child is doing everything they are supposed to do. Are they ahead of other children? Are they behind? Is their development normal? Now there is a really good app for that. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a new free app called the Milestone Tracker. It has five components: A detailed “Milestone Checklist.” For children ages 2 months through 5 years, it goes through all the different milestones for that age (when I tried it out for a 12-month-old, there were 27 milestones) so parents can see if their child has reached them. To make it easier for parents to understand and decide, there are photos and videos that explain the milestones. “When to Act Early.” For each age, the app lists warning signs that warrant a call to the doctor. For example, for a 12-month-old some warning signs include not crawling, not standing when supported, not pointing — and losing milestones the child previously had. While these warning signs don’t necessarily mean there is a serious problem, they should be checked out. My favorite, “Tips and Activities.” It gives parents concrete, practical, and fun suggestions for encouraging their child’s development. Children learn best through interaction and play. The suggestions are geared for what children need and enjoy at each age. The “Milestone Quick View.” This lists the milestones for the different ages, breaking th...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Children's Health Parenting Source Type: blogs