Normal child development is useful for every parent to know, since we would not want to expect something that is developmentally impossible for the kiddo. In the parent training the focus is the possible and expected developmental delays for when arriving home. The good news is that most kids make huge strides the first 6 months home, and at the two year mark are on target with their peers. 75% of kiddos adopted from China have some sort of a delay. The training discussed 6 areas.
Growth:One month of height growth is lost for every 3 months in the orphanage. This obviously depends on the orphanage and its resources.
Feeding/nutrition: Solids are introduced late in orphanages because bottles are easier for the nannies. Toddler parents are warned that the kiddo may have never eaten solid food. There is also the issue of switching from a Chinese diet to an American diet after homecoming!
Motor skills: Many kiddos are kept in playpens or walkers and have little chance to even learn to sit unsupported.
Speech: Language disruption occurs when a kiddo goes from hearing Chinese all the time to all of a sudden hearing English all the time. Usually by 6 months of being home, the kiddos understand everything that is said to them, but they may not be too talkative yet. That's ok- Noah talks enough for our entire family :)
Cognition- At 6 months after arriving home most kiddos have caught up cognitively. About 33% have not- but usually will by 2 years.
Sensory Integration: Many kiddos living in an orphanage do not get a range of sensory experiences. Certain textures or sounds will be very different. The kiddo may not have ever seen herself in a mirror before!
We can't know how our daughter will be until we meet her, but we are confident she will catch up!
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