"Grass doesn't grow faster if you pull on it
Let me start with a less glorious example of my own career as a father: We were on holiday and I thought, now I have to teach my child how to do a Köpper from the edge of the pool. My plan ended in a huge argument and a terribly bad mood.
The child had no ambition or need to learn a Köpper now - only I thought that now was the time. Fortunately, I then realised that there was no point. And: a few weeks later, the child was doing the most beautiful clappers. Not because I wanted to, but because the time was ripe and the need was there to be able to do it.
So, keep reminding yourself that most of a child's development happens more or less by itself. Earlier for one child, later for another. To come back to the grass: It's not as if grass grows all by itself. It needs water, light and nutrients. And that's also what we need to offer children: An environment in which they can develop and grow healthily. However, if we try to speed things up excessively, it usually ends in frustration on both sides and doesn't speed anything up.
Last but not least: If you have the feeling that your child is very far behind in one area or you are so very unhappy or unsure about something, then it is of course our job as paediatricians to advise you and see whether therapeutic help, such as speech or occupational therapy, is necessary. However, this is actually far less often the case than is generally thought.
Further interesting tips
When to stay at home from daycare?
Today we are discussing the unfortunately rather complicated question of when a child should not go to nursery for health reasons - and when it is unnecessary to leave them at home. There are hardly any clear facts that can be used to judge this, but there are some points of reference for nursery teachers and parents.
Pneumonia
Complicated topic: pneumonia in children. Why complicated? Because it often causes extreme anxiety in parents. However, in most cases this is not necessary.
Ringworm
There are always phases in which rubella infections increase. In the vast majority of cases, this is not a major issue for the children affected - and yet the disease can be problematic.