The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have made significant updates to the developmental milestones for infants and children, marking the first changes in almost two decades. As soon as you learn you’re expecting, the flood of parenting advice can be overwhelming, with new guidelines emerging frequently. Whether it’s determining when to transition the baby to their own room or deciding the safest sleep position, the landscape of parenting is constantly shifting. However, one area that has remained static—until now—is the developmental milestones for children.
The AAP and CDC have revised their screening guidelines to better assist parents and pediatricians in identifying developmental delays early. The previous milestone checklists had been in use since 2004 and were based on average-age benchmarks, meaning only about half of children were expected to reach a specific milestone by a given age. This approach often left parents and healthcare providers unsure about how to proceed, sometimes resulting in a “wait-and-see” attitude that delayed necessary diagnoses.
The new guidelines emphasize behaviors that at least 75% of children should be able to achieve by certain ages. The updates include:
- New checklists for ages 15 and 30 months, ensuring comprehensive coverage from 2 months to 5 years.
- Enhanced social and emotional milestones.
- Clarification of vague language and the removal of duplicate milestones.
- Open-ended questions to foster discussion between parents and healthcare providers.
- Revised tips and activities designed to promote child development.
Dr. Sarah Mitchell, an expert in developmental pediatrics, emphasized the importance of early identification, stating, “When a child is recognized as having a developmental delay, early interventions can commence, leading to better outcomes.” The updated milestones also encourage ongoing communication between parents and healthcare providers regarding a child’s development over time.
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In summary, updated developmental milestones by the CDC and AAP will provide parents and pediatricians with more effective tools to identify and address potential delays in children’s growth, fostering a proactive approach to early intervention.