The Healthy Diet »

Even in otherwise normal children first tooth may not erupt upto 10 months or even upto one year of age. Causes of delayed eruption are not clear though rickets, Osten genesis imperfecta and generalised malnutrition may be responsible.

The mental and intellectual development of a child much depends on its natural endowments and is considerably influenced by the total environment and educational stimuli, the child receives. It has been already stated that abnormalities or physical growth come in the way of a child's development. In its proper evaluation, the following factors are considered

(1) Physical milestones
(2) Perceptual achievements and
(3) Neurological behaviours

(1) Physical Milestones
I. Reflex behaviour Holds head momentarily in prone position -	New born.
ii. Holds head and raises the chest off the bed in prone position -	6 weeks
iii. Holds the head steadily in sitting position -	4th month.
iv. Changes from prone to supine position; takes hands to the mouth	5th month.
V. Sits without support, holds articles in the hands	6 months.
vi. Sits for long time without support;	7thmonth
vii. Crawls, scoots, likes to stand with support	8th month.
viii. Throws objects, progressess on all fours -	9th month.
ix. Walks with support; stands for long time without support -	1 year.
x. Walks -	1 ½ years.
A. Runs -	3 years.
(2) Perceptual Achievements and Social Behaviour
i. Perceives light	New born
ii. Follows light momentarily startles at noises.	3 weeks.
iii. Follows light from one side to other concentrates at bright light	6 weeks.
iv. Smiles when talked to	2 months.
v. Coos, appears to concentrate on faces -	3 months.
vi. Gives inviting smiles, looks at its palms for long time -	4 months.
vii. Recognises the mother but still comfortable with strangers. Resents, protests, cries intelligently. -	6 months.
viii. Pronounces monosyllables	10 months
ix. Talks words, avoids and is afraid of strangers	1 year
x. Speaks intelligently.	1 ½ year
xi. Can narrate events and strories, can sing.	3year
(3) Neurological behaviour
i. Moro reflex Sucking reflex Swallowing reflex Grasp reflex Step reflex	New Born
ii. Incordinated, jerky, Jittery movements Moro reflex, vanishes Cordinated eye & head movements	3rd months
iii. Head to mouth co-ordination Co-ordinated but bilateral responses No independent movements of a single extremity	5thmonth
iv. Unilateral limb control but no control over fingers -	6th months
v. Finger over fingers -	9th months
vi. Planter reflex -	2 years and after

This growth and development depends upon so many factors which have a great influence

1. Malnutrition
2. Diseases
3. Endocrine problems
4. Congenital diseases
5. Neurological & psycological disorders.
6. Molecular disease
7. Unknown or so called constitutional causes.