#clovis pediatric

A child is expected to reach various developmental milestones as they get older. These requirements specifically prepare childcare providers and parents to ensure the health and development of young children. CMC Fresno, a renowned supplier of childcare services in Fresno, California, believes that early childhood developmental monitoring and screening are critical.

What is Child Development? Child development refers to the physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language development of a child.

What are Developmental Milestones?

Developmental milestones include taking the first step, smiling at strangers, and waving goodbye and hello. The way your child learns, speaks, and plays can reveal a lot about their development. The tasks that most youngsters can perform by a specific age are known as developmental milestones.

A Look at Developmental Screening

In general, developmental screening occurs when developmental monitoring reveals delays. Developmental screening is the practice of systematically detecting and monitoring signs of a young child’s potential delay on one or more developmental domains. 

Screening for developmental delay does not establish a child’s diagnosis but allows professionals to decide whether further assessment is necessary. Unlike developmental monitoring, screening tools may target a specific condition, such as autism, a particular developmental domain, or cover several areas at once.

See also: The Importance of Early Childhood Developmental Monitoring and Screening

Early Intervention Matters: Talk to Your Pediatrician

Separation anxiety is a typical and normal concern that children have when they are separated from their parents or caregivers. Separation protest refers to the behavior that occurs when children are separated from their parents.

Many children skip separation anxiety in infancy and begin exhibiting difficulties at 15 or 18 months of age. Separations are more challenging when children are hungry, exhausted, or sick, which is the majority of the time during toddlerhood! As they gain independence in childhood, children may become more sensitive to separations.

Separation anxiety disorder in children

Separation anxiety becomes less common when children reach preschool and school age. Of course, there will be times when they just want to be with you.

If your preschool- or school-age child is frequently and visibly disturbed when away from you, he may have a separation anxiety disorder. This disorder affects about 4% of preschoolers and 4% of school-age children.

Separation anxiety disorder is when:

Anxiety interferes with your child's life, and hence with your own.

Your child is more anxious than most children his or her age.

Your child's worry has lasted at least four weeks.

Look for these signs if you suspect your child has separation anxiety:

Dislikes being apart from you

Fear of being hurt and or having an accident

Refuse to attend school

Doesn’t like sleeping anywhere without you

Pretends to feel sick from being apart from you.

The Bottom Line

 It’s natural for parents to feel a bit of anxiety when saying goodbye, but they should know what to look for. These include age-inappropriate clinginess and tantrums and withdrawal from family, friends, or peers. In addition, excessive guilt, refusal to attend school, and a fear of leaving the house are also signs of separation anxiety. 

If your child is unwilling to go to school, you must talk to them about their fears and help them calm down. Let them express themselves. This way, they can open up and be more comfortable. Also, it helps ease their fears and can adjust to their environment.

 Your child may even struggle with specific physical symptoms of separation anxiety. That’s why parents should consult a specialist before making any hasty decisions. Play therapy, family counseling, and medications can assist your children on their journey.