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dd's physical development /ability seems behind

7 replies

galaxy · 27/04/2008 16:32

Having just posted about dd's academic ability being ahead of her peers, I have decided to ask for further advice as I'm concerned that she's behind physically.

She was a late walker (16 months) and didn't crawl till she was a year old. She couldn't get to grips with peddling her bike (on stabilisers) and is just about there now (although very slow), can't skip(with or without a rope), hates climbing frames and going up high at soft-play centres.

She generally seems to have difficulty with coordination when it comes to her physical side. For example, at swimming, she forgets to kick her legs if she's concentrating on what she should be doing with her arms.
Now I hated sports, didn't learn to swim until I was in my late 20's but I was a rough and tumble kid who was ace on the climbing nets! dh has a a fear of heights which dd seems to have inherited.

We don't have 5 year HV checks and I did mention it to my GP when I took her with a chest infection who said not to worry. But it hit home when I took her and 2 friends out recently and she seemed so far behind.

Do I need to worry? Is there some way I can get her physical ability assessed or is it just something some kids get to grips with sooner than others?

OP posts:
kittywise · 27/04/2008 18:05

Sorry, but it seems to me that you are watching for reason to say that your dd is bright/ behind, better than others/ worse than others etc. At this age you can't tell how bright they're going to be or how physically adept they will be.

learn to relax a little!

WanderingTrolley · 27/04/2008 18:10

Er, didn't infer the same as kittywise from your post galaxy.

She may not be physically adept - some people just aren't. It doesn't follow that she will automatically inherit your net climbing abilities

Do you think she has a co-ordination problem? Is she a bit clumsy, or accident prone? She could be a tad dyslexic or dyspraxic, or maybe she's taking her time to do things.

gagarin · 27/04/2008 18:16

Helicopter mothering alert

Try to relax. She's not behind in any great way. Overall her development sounds just fine.

Try and let her develop at her own pace. She may never have rhythm & co-ordination but so what!?

pagwatch · 27/04/2008 18:18

If you are concerned then make an appointment with your Doctor to discuss just that and tell him in detail what your concerns are , rather than just mentioning it. Drs seem to feel obliged to sooth over the things we just mention - not sure why .
But I would say that children develop at massively different rate and the truth is some will be fitter and others will be bigger and others will be more academic etc etc.
We went out this am with DD and her best friend who is a full year older but DD is twice as fast and has twice the stamina. Nothing wrong with her friend. And her friend is probably brighter than DD - but nothing wrong with DD either.
Children are all different. Unless she is significantly struggling i would genuinely try not to be concerned until she is a bit grown.
HTH's

galaxy · 27/04/2008 18:24

Not al all Kittywise. Just a concerned mother looking for some reassurance.

Thanks all.

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snorkle · 27/04/2008 20:10

The swimming thing, only managing arms OR legs is very common - loads of children that I've taught have done that and it does all come together eventually.

galaxy · 28/04/2008 19:26

Thanks for the reassurance snorkle

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