Signs of Normal Child Growth that Parents Must Know

Illustration of a 3-month-old baby (Pixabay)

YOGYAKARTA - The growth and development of each child is different. Even so, parents are obliged to monitor how the child's growth and development remain normal. Signs of normal child growth and development cannot be seen from only one perspective. This article will provide signs of healthy child growth and development for you.

Signs of Normal Child Growth and Development

It must be understood that growth and development consist of two interrelated processes, but have different meanings. Growth refers to physical changes, such as weight gain, height, head circumference, and organ size.

Meanwhile, development is a process of increasing children's abilities in various aspects, ranging from the ability to move, speak, think, learn, to interact with others.

Signs that a child has good growth and development if both processes take place according to the stages of his age. Here are the signs in general.

Weight and height increased according to the growth curve

One of the easiest indicators to observe is physical growth. Children who grow normally generally experience gradual weight and height increases according to their age. This assessment does not only look at numbers, but also compares them with the growth curve used by health workers. The most important thing is that growth is consistent, not always at the highest level.

Motor skills develop

The motor skills of babies are said to be normal if their development can progress gradually. This development, for example, can start to lift their heads, roll over, crawl, and walk. This ability will continue to develop according to their age and motor skills.

In addition to gross motor skills, fine motor skills also develop, such as grasping objects, arranging blocks, using a spoon, or starting to learn to draw. These abilities show that muscle coordination and the nervous system are developing well.

Responds to voice and environment well

From an early age, children begin to show a response to stimuli around them. Stimuli can be in the form of sounds, for example, when called they can turn their heads, or glance at moving objects, and so on. This response indicates that the functions of hearing, vision, and the ability to interact are developing as expected.

Language ability continues to develop

Language development is one of the important indicators in child growth and development. Every child has a different speed, but language ability should continue to improve over time.

Active and likes to explore

Healthy children generally have a high sense of curiosity. They are happy to grab objects, crawl in various directions, try new games, ask questions, and explore the environment. These activities are an important part of the learning process and help develop motor and cognitive abilities.

Appetite and sleep patterns are relatively good

Adequate nutrition and rest intake have a significant impact on the growth and development process. Children who grow well generally have a diet that is adequate for their needs and get enough sleep for their age. Although appetite can vary, physical growth still needs to be monitored periodically.

Those are some signs of normal child growth and development. Visit VOI.id for other interesting information.