my daughter just turned 13 months old. i didn't think anything of this before until i recently saw a milestone chart. my daughter never points to anything. ever. she does everything else she should. walks, babbles....all the time, she says mama and dada, she usually directs it towards us. she doesn't ever try to get us to help her with anything either. this is our 1st so not really sure if she is too young to be worrying yet? anyone w/ experience have any ideas?
2007-01-25 15:17:38 · 8 answers · asked by book girl 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Throw that milestone chart out!!! :) Kids do develop at different rates and time lines. My son didn't start pointing until around 16 months and he didn't start clapping until around then. He still not using decipherable words, but he has his own language and he knows exactly what he's saying! Pointing, waving bye-bye etc are all things that she'll do if you work with her consistently. You have to show her the movement all the time and she'll pick up on it. Don't worry, she sounds like she's developing just fine and on her own time line.
2007-01-26 01:12:21 · answer #1 · answered by emrobs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be honest with you, I think your daughter is doing very well. Perhaps she is not pointing simply because she has figured out a more effective way of letting you know what she wants / needs. If she is capable of picking up something (say, a cheerio) between her thumb and forefinger, then you don't need to be concerned about her fine motor skills, but I second what others here have said, don't let strangers on the internet diagnose your daughter - if you are concerned, ask her doc at your next visit.
You may not realize this, but your daughter's doc is assessing her developmentally every time she is there. Her actions, her facial gestures, her movements, everything is scrutinized at every visit. If her doc is seeing/not seeing something that is concerning, they will bring it up.
My daughter had a stroke as a newborn, so I am acutely aware of the milestones she should have reached and when. Just remember, the charts are guidelines, they don't take into account the environment that the child lives in or other variables.
Enjoy your daughter, and worry about the big stuff - the little stuff will take care of itself...and if you want to encourage her to explore with her hands, strip her down to her diaper (run a bath before you start this one) get her set up in her high chair, and let her finger paint with pudding or applesauce. It will give you a chance to watch if she isolates one finger at a time (you can play with her and see if she imitates you) and she will have a blast. Just remember, getting her from the high chair to the bath is guaranteed to be messy :)
2007-01-25 21:57:54 · answer #2 · answered by Allison K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having spent my whole life around children I can tell you that I think your child is fine. However I am not in front of her watching her play or things like that. So, if you are concerned call her doctor.
I hate that milestone chart. It's so silly. It freaks parents out and makes them nervous. It has even made me lose my cool from time to time :) It is just a guideline. If she gestures in other ways to get you to understand what she is saying I would say she is fine. It sounds like she is communicating with you in her own way.
Since this is your first let me tell you a few things that will set your mind at ease.
1. Call the doctor with any concerns you have. Ever. That is what they are paid for. No question you will ever ask them is dumb. This is your child, there are no dumb questions.
2. The chart and comparing your child to other kids will just make you go insane. There will always be a child that does something before yours does. Your little girl will get to doing things when her mind and body are ready to do them.
3. Take other people advice and insights about your child with a grain of salt. You are her parent. This is your family. You know her best and you know your family best. You have to do what is right for you and your family.
Hope this helps. Good luck :)
2007-01-25 15:36:36 · answer #3 · answered by aerofrce1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
every baby is different. You daughter sounds perfectly fine. If she never wants you to help her out with anything it just means that she's trying to be more independent now. So just let her and if she gets frustrated that she can't master one thing, then cajole her and ask if she needs help. She'll get to the pointing thing sooner or later. no worried mama
2007-01-25 16:59:10 · answer #4 · answered by Christian 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any time you think your child is having developmental delays, you should call her doctor. But from the sound of it, she is doing just fine. If you really want to put your mind a rest call the doctor and talk to him/her about it.
2007-01-25 15:37:07 · answer #5 · answered by Jodi C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have worked with kids for many years . If I were you I would not worry. It sounds like she may be an independent child. You should worry if she regresses or stops doing some of the things she is doing now.
2007-01-25 15:27:51 · answer #6 · answered by thrill88 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you a pointer? If she sees you doing it, she'll start. Maybe the people she's around just don't point at things a lot. You could start pointing at things and asking her if she wants them, or just telling her what they are, that way she sees the gesture and may start doing it herself. I really wouldn't worry, especially since she seems to be doing just fine otherwise.
2007-01-25 15:29:51 · answer #7 · answered by susiemama 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I fou have any concerns you should talk to her doctor, trust me is better to be safe than sorry.My son is diagnose with Autism and that because I pushed his doctor to help me cus' I thouth he wasn't developing well.So go ahead and make and appointment.Hope is nothin to be alarm .Good luck
2007-01-25 15:29:36 · answer #8 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋