Child Growth and Development Clinic in Varanasi: Milestones, Speech and Behaviour

Growth and development are different

Growth is physical: weight, height and head size. Development is how a child learns to move, speak, play, think and interact. Both are tracked at regular visits because problems found early are easier to help. Every child develops at their own pace, but some milestones are useful signposts.

Milestones to watch

• By 3 months: follows objects with eyes, smiles socially.
• By 6 months: rolls over, laughs, reaches for objects.
• By 12 months: sits and crawls, responds to name, babbles, may say first words.
• By 18 months: walks, says several words, points to show interest.
• By 2 years: combines two words, follows simple instructions, runs.
• By 3 years: speaks in short sentences, plays with other children.

When to seek an assessment

• No babbling by 12 months or no words by 18 months (see speech delay: when to worry)
• Not responding to name or avoiding eye contact
• Loss of skills the child once had
• Difficulty following simple instructions or very limited play
• Extreme difficulty with attention, sitting still or controlling behaviour
• Poor weight gain or growth crossing to a lower percentile
• Learning difficulty at school, such as trouble with reading or writing

How the assessment works

The doctor talks with parents about the child's history, observes play and behaviour, measures growth and uses developmental screening tools. Hearing and vision may be checked, and other tests may be advised to rule out medical causes. A plan may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, special education support, parent guidance or, when appropriate, medicines. Early support gives the best results because a child's brain is most responsive in the early years.

Nutrition, sleep and screen time

Healthy development depends on good nutrition, sleep and play. Our blog covers healthy diet and activity, sleep problems and screen time and eye health.

Growth and development care at Sparsh

See developmental and behavioural pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology for growth concerns such as short stature or early puberty. Regular check-ups with Dr. Pankaj Kumar at the Pediatrics & Child Care department keep growth on track.

हिंदी में संक्षेप

हर बच्चे का विकास अपनी गति से होता है, लेकिन 12 महीने तक बड़बड़ाना न शुरू होना, 18 महीने तक शब्द न बोलना, नाम पर प्रतिक्रिया न देना या सीखी हुई चीजें भूल जाना जैसे संकेतों पर जल्दी जांच करानी चाहिए। समय पर सहायता से बच्चे को बहुत लाभ मिलता है।

Visit Sparsh in Chitaipur, Varanasi

Sparsh Mother & Child Hospital & IVF Fertility Center, Gokulpuram Colony, Chitaipur - Chunar Road, Kandwa, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221106. Open 24 hours. Call +91 80900 76144 or book an appointment online.