There are three broad stages of development: early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence. The definitions of these stages are organized around the primary tasks of development in each stage, though the boundaries of these stages are malleable.
The term “gross motor” development refers to physical skills that use large body movements, normally involving the entire body. In the sense used here, gross means “large” rather than “disgusting.”
Fine motor skills are necessary to engage in smaller, more precise movements, normally using the hands and fingers. Fine motor skills are different than gross motor skills which require less precision to perform.
Growth is a barometer of well being in a given child. It is very important that children have their height and weight measured periodically and plotted on the growth chart. Growth chart is a tool that is used to assess the performance of growth of the child in the perspective of the general population. The Indian academy of paediatrics and World health organisation have given growth charts for Indian children. In every visit to your paediatrician, your child’s height and weight is measured and plotted on growth chart. If the height or weight is below the 3rd percentile (the lowest line on the growth curve), the child has to assessed carefully for presence of underlying disorder. If the weight alone is below the 3rd percentile, the child may be having nutritional deficiency or an underlying systemic disease. If the height is less than the 3rd percentile, the child may be having a hormone deficiency like growth hormone deficiency or thyroid hormone deficiency. It is very important that the parents maintain the growth chart properly and bring in to the paediatrician every year and have the growth assessed.
Next time you visit your paediatrician – don’t forget to ask for your child’s performance on the growth chart!!!
Articles by
Dr Hemchand K Prasad
Consultant, Pediatric Endocrinologist
Dr Mehta’s Hospitals, Chetpet