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 DISCLAIMER |
WHY AND HOW ? |
MOTION |
TASTE |
HEARING |
COMMING SOON |
These tests will allow you to assess the development of your child. Don’t look at the tests as if they are an exam but more like an informal check. It is, for example, very important to check your child’s hearing and sight, because damage of these senses can hinder your child’s ability to learn the necessary skills in the development stages. The purpose of these tests is to help alert you, so you will be able to get professional help faster.
Sit down before your baby and stretch your arms towards him. Try to let him come to you by calling his name or by moving a toy before him.
Reaction of the child:
If your baby is about 32 weeks old it can shuffle towards you on his bottom. Don’t worry if he can’t do this yet. The shaking of the body and the stretching of his arms are preparations to the walking.
Strenght of muscles:
Neck- and backmuscles:
Put your baby on his belly and move a colorful object before his eyes.
Reaction of the child:
At 4 weeks the baby hasn’t much strenght in his neckmuscles. His eyes will folow the object but he
can only lift up its head a few seconds. At 12 weeks he will be able to follow the object with his head.
If you repeat the test when he is 24 weeks then you will notice he can push himself up on his
underarms.
Control of the head:
Pull your child very carefully at the arms into a sitting position.
Reaction of the child:
At 6 weeks his head falls to the side. Between 12 and 16 weeks his neck muscles are stronger and at 20
weeks the child has got full control over his head even if you rock him.
Walking:
Your baby starts walking by moving sideways and pulling himself up on something. Put a few chairs next to each other and see if he starts to move down them. Turn your face to him, reach out your hands
as safe pillars and see if he starts to walk forward.
Reaction of the child:
At 48 weeks your child will start to move sidewards while holding onto furniture.
At the age of one year the baby will walk if you hold his hands and at 13 months he should be making his first steps.
Adroitness:
Show your child new activities like walking backwards, hopscotch, jumping, dancing to music and
encourage him to participate.
Reaction of the child:
At 21 months your child should be able to walk backwards. Around the age of two he will be fond
on rhythmic movements, dancing to music and he will like to clap in the hands and to sing.
Around 2 ½ years he can jump and stand on his toes and at 3 he can play hopscotch.
muscles coordination:
Test his sense for adventure, muscle coordination and dexterity with the help of a climbing frame,
roller skates or skateboard.
Reaction of the child:
At the age of 3 the calf muscles should be strong enough and his feet supple enough to allow him to
bicycle. A child of 4 is very active and must be able to do things which require muscle coordination like rope skipping,
hopscotch, jumping and climbing in a climbing frame. At the age of five the muscle coordination is fully
developed.
With the taste sensors at the top of the tongue we sample four elementary flavours ;
Sweet, Sour, Bitter and Salt.
New born babys react different on each of these four flavours. When you give your baby a little bit water with a taste he will react with a typical facial expression on
a certain taste.
If the baby tastes something bitter he will spread open his mouth as if he is scared. His face will tell you if he actually tastes the flavour.
If you want you can test those primitive reaction of your baby although we don’t advise this because he
will not like this very much.
Sweet:
Put a few drops of sugar water on the tongue of your baby.
Reaction of the child:
Your baby’s face will relax and he seems to smile.
Salt:
Put a little bit salt on your finger and put it into the baby’s mouth.
Reaction of the child:
Your baby will pull a wry face and will push your finger away.
Sour:
Let your baby taste a few drops diluted lemmon juice
Reaction of the child:
Your baby closes his eyes, pulls the lips together, changes his face and might even shiver.
What to do ?
You don’t need to consult a doctor unless when your baby, at the age of 24 weeks when he is already
eating other foods, still doesn’t react on the different flavours.
Disorders of smell and taste are very rare, but consult a Doctor if you are not comfortable with the results
of the test.
Make sure you both have a lot of fun!
To obtain an exact result these tests should be done if a quiet environment. If you are worried about the
results then consult a Doctor at once.
Does your baby hear?
In the first year watch out for the following symptoms.
Newborn:
Your baby should react to sudden hard noice, like clapping in the hands or a smashing door.
His eyes will flash or open widely.
4 weeks:
Your baby should notice sudden, long continuous noices (try out the mixer)
16 weeks:
Your baby should become quiet or start laughing when he hears your voice, even if he can’t see you, he may turn his head and eyes in your direction.
28 weeks:
The baby should turn immediately into the direction of your voice and react to small sounds at both
sides of his head.
36 weeks:
The baby should start to listen carefully to known sounds and start looking for the source of very soft noises you make outside his field of vision.
He loves to jabber at this age.
About 1 year:
The baby should react to his name and other known words. He might react to words like ‘no’ and
‘hello’.
24weeks to 18 months:
Take your baby on your lap and place yourself about 4 feet from the walls of the room. The person
doing the test should be standing out of the field of vision of the baby.
With a baby of 24 weeks, you use a distance of about 1.5 feet from his ears. With a baby of 36 weeks, use
a distance of a little less than 3 feet from his ears.
Make high and low tones and make the sounds at both ears.
Use a spoon against a cup, a rattle and a small bell (or something alike).
If the child doesn’t react at once then wait awhile and try again later. Wait a few seconds and try
again and even a third time. If the child doesn’t react after the 3rd attempt then use the next sound.
Reaction of your child:
A child of 36 weeks will mostly turn his head towards the sound immediately. He will often smile
at the same time. Younger baby’s might react slower.
What to do ?
A clear reaction to three of the five sounds means the hearing of your child is ok.
If he does not react well, then repeat the test in a few months. If he still does not react well, then you should consult your Doctor.
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Europe : Marc Smits
USA : Trish Fayne
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