Toddlers and Development

The early, formative years, are very important for the development of children. This period sets us up for life and it’s important that kids are given the best and most balanced upbringing they can be, often this can mean simply making sure they get a lot of attention and encouragement. For many parents, this might not be enough though. Some kids are afflicted with various disorders or issues which can slow or otherwise negatively affect their development. In these cases it’s important to have the condition diagnosed early and to take whatever precautions or suggestions your doctor makes to heart.

Physical

Kids generally grow between 4 or 5 inches during their second year and can gain as much as five pounds. Between the years of two and three they’ll grow another 2 or 3 inches. If this isn’t the case for your child, or they were growing at this rate and then suddenly stopped doing so, then it could be a cause for concern.  Lack of proper diet or malnutrition could cause this stunting but other conditions such as heart conditions or digestive disorders might cause a lack of growth. If you notice a severe change from the norm then it’s worth contacting your doctor to make sure everything is okay.

Mental

There are all sorts of issues and problems which can slow or otherwise adversely affect a toddler’s mental development. Being born prematurely or suffering from things like meningitis can hamper and damage the development of the brain. The best way to avoid these outcomes is to be proactive and intervene early when you think there could be something wrong. Remember with almost all conditions, the earlier your doctor is brought into the picture, the easier it will be for them to diagnose and treat the condition.

Psychological

The best way to encourage psychological development in your kids is to shower them with love and affection. Even those with disorders such as autism will benefit from this and with the right amount of encouragement and love they’ll keep progressing.