DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN

Development itself means maturation of functions and acquisition of various skills for optimal functioning of an individual.

Factors Affecting Development :

• Prenatal Factors :

1. Genetic Factors – Many Genetic causes like Down Syndrome, Turner Syndrome etc. can lead to developmental delay and mental retardation.
2. Maternal nutrition
3. Exposure to drug and toxins – Use of maternal drug, alcohol abuse and environmental toxins can have adverse effect on development of a child.
4. Maternal disease and infections – Maternal hypertension, hypothyroidism, malnutrition and infections like TORCH infection, AIDS etc. have an adverse effect on the child’s development.

• Neonatal Risk Factors :

1. Intrauterine growth retardation
2. Prematurity – Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are more prone to have developmental problems.
3. Perinatal asphyxia – If child was not able to breathe just after birth then it can lead to developmental problems in further life.

• Postneonatal Factors :

1. Infant and child nutrition – Severe calorie deficiency can lead to development related problems. Calorie deficiency is often associated with deficiency of multiple micronutrients and vitamins.
2. Iron deficiency – This condition can lead to delayed brain maturation, poor cognitive, motor and social – emotional development.
3. Iodine deficiency – Iodine is a constituent of thyroid hormone which regulate the central nervous system development. Iodine deficiency can cause congenital hypothyroidism and irreversible mental retardation.
4. Infectious disease – Recurrent diarrhea, Malaria and other parasitic infections and HIV can cause poor development.
5. Environmental Toxins – Lead, Arsenic, Mercury, pesticides etc. can reach upto child through breastmilk, food, water, house dust and soil and can cause development related problems in children.

• Psychosocial Factors :

1. Parenting – Caregiver’s sensitivity and affection, parental attitude, involvent and education can have an effect on development of the child.
2. Poverty – This is possibly the most common underlying factor for the impaired development of child.
3. Lack of stimulation – An important cause of developmental impairment is lack of adequate interaction and stimulation.
4. Violence and abuse – Domestic and community violence are important cause of lack of child development.
5. Maternal depression – Any depression to mother can negatively effect the early child development.

Milestones :

• Key Gross Motor Developmental Milestones :

• Key Fine Motor Milestones :

• Key Social And Adaptive Milestones:

• Key Language Milestones :

Ayurvedic Herbs And Formulations For Better Development :

• Swarna Prashana
• Brahmi
• Shankhpushpi
• Mulethi
• Guduchi
• Vacha
• Chayawanprash
• Jyotishmati oil
• Kalyanak ghrita
• Panchgavya ghrita
• Shirodhara
• Shirobasti
• Basti
• Nasya

So Ayurveda can play a vital role in the development of children. Swarna Prashana itself has a very positive effect on the development of a child. Herbs like Brahmi, Shankhpushpi etc. are present in various forms in the market which can use for better development of children. Procedures like Shirodhara, Shirobasti etc. also are very usefull for this purpose.