Is your Baby C.O.M.E.L?

The C.O.M.E.L. mnemonic, which stands for Cognitive, Optic, Motor, Emotion, and Language, is a comprehensive tool for describing child developmental assessments. Focusing solely on the motor and language aspects, can result in neglecting the cognitive, optic, and emotional components. This oversight could have serious consequences, such as missing critical developmental milestones or issues, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or tumors in the optic radiation. It is essential to consider all these components to ensure a holistic approach to child development.

COGNITIVE (Cerdas)

This cognitive (cerdas) phrase is a way to see how young children are assessed regarding play and development, depending on their age. The way to evaluate their cognition is to know how the child plays and interacts with others.

A child with intellectual capability usually does their best to explore. A child who has failed in his cognitive component will often keep quiet and not say a single word. Similarly, a child who throws objects before reaching 12 months of age may show signs of needing further evaluation.
After the age of 2, there's a noticeable shift in a child's play. They begin to demonstrate creativity in their games and become skilled at making designs. This change in play style serves as a clear indicator of their cognitive growth. They will also enjoy building things and start imitating the actions of others.
After the child’s age increases to 3 years, a child’s cognitive development can be assessed through their drawings. They may start to draw circles with increasing accuracy and without assistance.

OPTIC (Optik)

Visual skills are often overlooked in a child's developmental assessment, which can lead to delayed detection of issues such as nearsightedness (myopia), nystagmus, and strabismus (squint). Early detection is crucial to address these issues and prevent further complications. Additionally, the late detection of eye conditions, such as eye cancer, due to the misconception that squinting is “normal,” is a serious concern that needs attention.

During the first 4 to 6 weeks, a baby can see their mother’s face. As they grow, they will try to follow the movement of objects they can see, continuing to track them until the object is out of sight.
Persistent squinting is abnormal and should be evaluated. It is concerning if the child appears to rely on only one eye for vision. One way to assess this is by covering each eye alternately to confirm the child's ability to see with both eyes. In normal vision, the eyes move smoothly and without interruption. If a child’s eyes show signs of nystagmus (involuntary eye movement) such as shaking or moving excessively to the right or left, or if they have a squint, further examination is necessary.
Assessing a child’s ability to perceive colors is important, as delays in color recognition before the age of 3 are considered within normal developmental variation

MOTOR (Motorik)

Understanding a child’s physical development is crucial, as various factors can delay this progress.

Physical development accelerates once a baby reaches two months of age. For example, by three months, they may start turning their body to one side and attempting to lift their head while lying on their back. If a baby consistently clenches their hands, it could be an early sign of a neurological disorder.
Pay attention to babies who feel excessively limp when handled, as this could indicate a neurological or other significant condition. Such babies should be referred to a specialist for further evaluation.
By four months, a baby’s head may lag or droop when sitting, which is considered normal. However, by seven months, a baby should be able to sit independently and reach for objects when offered.
As fine motor skills develop, babies typically begin picking things up with their fingers and may be able to point by eight months. By ten months, they will use their index fingers to pick up delicate objects.
Left-handedness is not typically observed before a baby reaches 12 months. If a child is seen favoring their left hand before this age, it could be a sign of a neurological issue that requires closer examination.
Starting at 12 months, a child’s ability to walk, run, and ride a tricycle improves, further supporting physical development. They will also begin to master climbing on chairs and throwing balls with increasing accuracy.
Between the ages of three and four, children will start to draw. If their sketches appear shaky, this may require closer observation. How they hold a pencil can provide insight into their physical abilities and coordination. Doctors often use a child's drawing ability as an indicator of cognitive development and the maturity of their hand-eye coordination. Additionally, it’s important to observe how they navigate stairs. Children who are excessively fearful or overly bold when going up or down stairs may need further evaluation. Excessive fear may suggest anxiety or nervous system issues, while too much courage could indicate psychological concerns or an excess of energy.
It is important to monitor any loss of physical abilities as a child ages. This condition, known as developmental regression, occurs when nerves are damaged due to illness or other factors, and it requires medical attention.

EMOTION (Emosi)

Emotional development is a crucial and subtle aspect of a child’s growth. At around four weeks old, a baby will begin to smile and follow their mother’s mouth movements. Before reaching the age of twelve months, babies are generally easy to handle. They cry when they are hungry, uncomfortable, have a dirty diaper, or if the room temperature is too hot or cold.

A child who cries loudly and frequently while closing their ears should be carefully examined. A child's emotions can be highly influenced by their environment. For example, if the home environment is chaotic or unhealthy, the child may cry for extended periods.
Prolonged crying may also indicate a significant illness. After 12 months of age, a child will begin to recognize familiar faces and may become more attached to people they know.
Pediatricians can identify emotional disturbances in children by observing their social behavior. A child who avoids making friends, experiences loneliness, or displays rapid emotional changes may need further attention. Pediatric specialists can also gauge emotional well-being by observing the child's eye contact.
Children who consistently avoid eye contact may have emotional or communication difficulties, which should be identified early for appropriate intervention. Early detection is critical, as these challenges can often be addressed through structured rehabilitation programs.
Emotional development can be particularly challenging when a child reaches the age of 3. At this stage, their imagination is highly active. Behavioral changes may sometimes reflect deep-seated emotions that could be misunderstood by those around them.
During this period, children may engage in fantasy play, imagining themselves as heroes or acting out aggressive behavior toward siblings. Exposure to violent media can exacerbate these behaviors, increasing their imagination in ways that could have negative effects. While the impact is often temporary, it can lead to behavioral issues in the short term.
A pediatrician should be consulted to address any emotional difficulties. It’s important to note that these emotional challenges should not be addressed with commands or yelling, but with gentle, patient care.

LANGUAGE (Lisan)

The more a mother talks to her baby, the more language exposure the baby receives. Early exposure to beautiful and nurturing language is essential for a child's development. In some countries, special programs are in place where an officer reads to newborn babies, especially in families who may not have the resources to do so themselves.

As a baby grows, their language vocabulary expands, depending on the reading materials and conversations they are exposed to. Under normal conditions, by the age of one, a child’s vocabulary can grow to include 10 to 15 words.
It’s important to note that the development of language and hearing is closely tied to the child’s future ability to read. Regular reading and talking to the child will encourage their language development, and they will respond positively.

So, if a baby is meeting these milestones, the baby is COMEL!!

COGNITIVE (Cerdas)

A child with intellectual capability usually does their best to explore. A child who has failed in his cognitive component will often keep quiet and not say a single word. Similarly, a child who throws objects before reaching 12 months of age may show signs of needing further evaluation.
After the age of 2, there's a noticeable shift in a child's play. They begin to demonstrate creativity in their games and become skilled at making designs. This change in play style serves as a clear indicator of their cognitive growth. They will also enjoy building things and start imitating the actions of others.
After the child’s age increases to 3 years, a child’s cognitive development can be assessed through their drawings. They may start to draw circles with increasing accuracy and without assistance.

OPTIC (Optik)

During the first 4 to 6 weeks, a baby can see their mother’s face. As they grow, they will try to follow the movement of objects they can see, continuing to track them until the object is out of sight.
Persistent squinting is abnormal and should be evaluated. It is concerning if the child appears to rely on only one eye for vision. One way to assess this is by covering each eye alternately to confirm the child's ability to see with both eyes. In normal vision, the eyes move smoothly and without interruption. If a child’s eyes show signs of nystagmus (involuntary eye movement) such as shaking or moving excessively to the right or left, or if they have a squint, further examination is necessary.
Assessing a child’s ability to perceive colors is important, as delays in color recognition before the age of 3 are considered within normal developmental variation

MOTOR (Motorik)

Understanding a child’s physical development is crucial, as various factors can delay this progress.

Physical development accelerates once a baby reaches two months of age. For example, by three months, they may start turning their body to one side and attempting to lift their head while lying on their back. If a baby consistently clenches their hands, it could be an early sign of a neurological disorder.
Pay attention to babies who feel excessively limp when handled, as this could indicate a neurological or other significant condition. Such babies should be referred to a specialist for further evaluation.
By four months, a baby’s head may lag or droop when sitting, which is considered normal. However, by seven months, a baby should be able to sit independently and reach for objects when offered.
As fine motor skills develop, babies typically begin picking things up with their fingers and may be able to point by eight months. By ten months, they will use their index fingers to pick up delicate objects.
Left-handedness is not typically observed before a baby reaches 12 months. If a child is seen favoring their left hand before this age, it could be a sign of a neurological issue that requires closer examination.
Starting at 12 months, a child’s ability to walk, run, and ride a tricycle improves, further supporting physical development. They will also begin to master climbing on chairs and throwing balls with increasing accuracy.
Between the ages of three and four, children will start to draw. If their sketches appear shaky, this may require closer observation. How they hold a pencil can provide insight into their physical abilities and coordination. Doctors often use a child's drawing ability as an indicator of cognitive development and the maturity of their hand-eye coordination. Additionally, it’s important to observe how they navigate stairs. Children who are excessively fearful or overly bold when going up or down stairs may need further evaluation. Excessive fear may suggest anxiety or nervous system issues, while too much courage could indicate psychological concerns or an excess of energy.
It is important to monitor any loss of physical abilities as a child ages. This condition, known as developmental regression, occurs when nerves are damaged due to illness or other factors, and it requires medical attention.

EMOTION (Emosi)

A child who cries loudly and frequently while closing their ears should be carefully examined. A child's emotions can be highly influenced by their environment. For example, if the home environment is chaotic or unhealthy, the child may cry for extended periods.
Prolonged crying may also indicate a significant illness. After 12 months of age, a child will begin to recognize familiar faces and may become more attached to people they know.
Pediatricians can identify emotional disturbances in children by observing their social behavior. A child who avoids making friends, experiences loneliness, or displays rapid emotional changes may need further attention. Pediatric specialists can also gauge emotional well-being by observing the child's eye contact.
Children who consistently avoid eye contact may have emotional or communication difficulties, which should be identified early for appropriate intervention. Early detection is critical, as these challenges can often be addressed through structured rehabilitation programs.
Emotional development can be particularly challenging when a child reaches the age of 3. At this stage, their imagination is highly active. Behavioral changes may sometimes reflect deep-seated emotions that could be misunderstood by those around them.
During this period, children may engage in fantasy play, imagining themselves as heroes or acting out aggressive behavior toward siblings. Exposure to violent media can exacerbate these behaviors, increasing their imagination in ways that could have negative effects. While the impact is often temporary, it can lead to behavioral issues in the short term.
A pediatrician should be consulted to address any emotional difficulties. It’s important to note that these emotional challenges should not be addressed with commands or yelling, but with gentle, patient care.

LANGUAGE (Lisan)

As a baby grows, their language vocabulary expands, depending on the reading materials and conversations they are exposed to. Under normal conditions, by the age of one, a child’s vocabulary can grow to include 10 to 15 words.
It’s important to note that the development of language and hearing is closely tied to the child’s future ability to read. Regular reading and talking to the child will encourage their language development, and they will respond positively.

So, if a baby is meeting these milestones, the baby is COMEL!!

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Is your Baby C.O.M.E.L?

Is your Baby C.O.M.E.L?

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