In the first two years of life, children start to experience the world and the people surrounding them. They begin to communicate and to move around, they learn how they can influence objects or trigger reactions in people… in other words, they develop a tremendous number of new skills and reach developmental milestones (often without you even really noticing).
Your child’s development should be checked regularly by your paediatrician or family doctor here in Singapore. As a parent you should also keep track of the most important milestones – for both monitoring purposes and to celebrate your child’s achievements.
What are developmental assessments?
Developmental assessments are carried out by an early childhood professional/paediatric specialist and should occur regularly (around every few months). A developmental assessment for children determines if your child reaches the milestones as expected or if any further evaluation is needed.
Regular screenings ensure that children who need support get the support as early as possible.
They typically involve review in the following categories:
- Language: This may include a child’s ability to make certain sounds and speak
- Gross Motor skills: Such as moving their heads or turning to a sound
- Fine motor skills: Such as grasping, closing fists, holding capabilities
- Social and self-help: Your child’s interactions with people and the environment
Living in Singapore – does my baby need a developmental assessment?
In the first few years of a child’s life, the brain experiences tremendous growth and learning, with 80% of its physical development occurring by age three. This makes these formative years crucial in establishing the groundwork for health, growth, and neurodevelopment. As such, while developmental assessments are not mandatory in Singapore, you are strongly encouraged to bring your children to a family paediatric clinic such as Osler Health for such screenings at various touchpoints:
- Four to eight weeks old: Infants may be assessed on their ability to raise and turn their heads to follow a moving object.
- Three to five months old: Tests may include an infant’s ability to reach out for toys and vocalise.
- Six to 12 months old: Babies may be assessed on their ability to sit without assistance, crawl, stand or walk, grip and transfer items, use sounds and understand names.
- 15 to 22 months old: Children may be evaluated for their ability to walk steadily and speak more words.
- 24 to 36 months old: Assessments may test a child’s ability to run, jump and form simple phrases.
- 48 to 60 months old: Children may be assessed on their ability to draw, engage in interactive play and understand joined commands.
Thereafter, visits can be scheduled with your child’s family doctor or paediatrician as required.
Your child’s development potential with Osler Health
As parents, we always want the best for our children. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s development, don’t hesitate to reach out to a doctor. Every child is unique and every child will develop and grow according to their own unique pattern. But only a professional screening assessment or developmental assessment will determine if your child needs support.
You can see any doctor at Osler Health, however you may wish to see out dedicated children’s doctor – Dr Nicole Plesko-Altermatt – who is based in our Osler Health Star Vista practice. As Dr Plesko- Altermatt comments;
“As a doctor with extensive paediatric experience, I know that early identification of an issue is best for the ongoing development of a child. Please come in for a developmental screening where we can evaluate your child’s development and can discuss with you ways in which you can help your child to grow and learn”.
With years of practice in providing paediatric healthcare support for children across diverse age groups, you can be assured that the necessary care is administered to fully address your child’s developmental needs. Combining this with our personalised approach to managing your child’s healthcare needs, you can trust that your child is in good hands. Visit our clinic in Singapore or schedule an appointment with us today online.
