How Pediatricians Assess Developmental Milestones During Checkups

Every child goes through exciting developmental milestones, like smiling, sitting up, walking, and talking. These moments are essential indicators of your child's growth. At times, however, you may notice delays or concerns. If your little one isn't meeting age-appropriate milestones, like not smiling by two months or not walking by 18 months, it may be time to consult a pediatrician.

Other scenarios that might require a child checkup in West Jordan, UT, include frequent infections, difficulty gaining weight, or changes in behavior. If your child has trouble sleeping, appears overly tired, or isn't as active as usual, a pediatrician can help identify underlying issues.

Southwest Children's Clinic supports your child through every phase of life. Whether you're attending regular checkups to monitor development or you're concerned about a specific issue, our compassionate team is ready to help. From infancy through adolescence, we offer services, including vaccinations, nutritional guidance, and specialized care for developmental delays.

How Pediatricians Assess Developmental Milestones During Checkups

Pediatricians play a vital role in ensuring children grow and develop as expected by assessing developmental milestones during regular checkups. These milestones include a range of skills, from physical abilities like crawling and walking to cognitive and social behaviors, such as responding to their name or engaging in imaginative play. Pediatricians observe and interact with the child to evaluate their progress, making the experience feel more like play than a test.

During a child checkup in West Jordan, UT, a pediatrician may hand a toy to a one-year-old to see if they can grasp and pass it between hands. They might also engage a toddler in a simple conversation, looking for signs of early speech development, such as forming two-word phrases such as “more juice.” If the child responds by pointing to an object or following simple directions like “wave goodbye,” the doctor can assess their ability to understand and communicate.

If a child seems to lag in any area, pediatricians provide supportive guidance and offer practical strategies for parents to encourage development at home. For example, if a two-year-old isn’t forming words as expected, the doctor might recommend playing language-rich games like naming objects or singing songs with repetitive words.

Southwest Children's Clinic Supports Your Child Through Their Milestones

Visit Southwest Children's Clinic for support from newborn care to adolescence. Whether routine checkups, vaccinations, or addressing developmental concerns like speech delays or growth patterns, their pediatricians provide personalized guidance. They also offer advice on nutrition, sleep, and behavioral changes, ensuring physical and emotional well-being. For instance, if your toddler isn't hitting language milestones, the clinic offers assessments and early intervention recommendations to help.

Please explore our website to learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide. If you have questions for our pediatrician about a child checkup in West Jordan, UT, or want to schedule an appointment with Southwest Children's Clinic, call (801) 563-1975.