By Dr. Anna Migocka, Specialist in Paediatrics
Parents often ask: When should I bring my child for a developmental check-up?
There is no single timetable used everywhere. Malta, NHS England, the American Academy of Pediatrics, WHO and UNICEF/WHO Europe all use slightly different schedules.
What they have in common is the importance of following a child’s development over time and assessing concerns when they arise.
Why are developmental check-ups important?
Children develop at different rates. A developmental check-up is not an exam that a child passes or fails.
It is a chance to look at how your child is developing in areas such as:
- movement and motor skills
- speech and language
- learning and problem-solving
- play and social interaction
- behaviour and emotional development
It is also a good opportunity for parents to ask questions.
Sometimes, a check-up may show that a child would benefit from closer assessment or extra support. Finding a concern early does not mean that every condition can be prevented or reversed. However, it may help a child and family receive appropriate advice, assessment, therapy or support sooner.
Hearing and vision problems are not developmental disorders themselves, but they can affect a child’s development and may need separate screening or assessment.
Can development be discussed during any medical visit?
Yes. Parents can raise concerns about development at any medical appointment.
However, when a child has fever, pain, vomiting or another illness, they may be tired, upset or less willing to play, talk or move as they usually do. This can make some parts of development harder to assess.
A well-child appointment can be useful because it allows more time to focus on growth, development and general wellbeing when an acute illness is not the main reason for the visit.
However, do not wait for a scheduled check-up if you are worried. A developmental concern can be discussed at any age.
What is the public developmental check-up schedule in Malta?
Malta’s Primary Health Care Well Baby Clinic provides routine early developmental check-ups at:
- 8–12 weeks
- 8 months
- 18 months
These visits include a clinical examination, review of growth and development, and general health advice.
What happens before school in Malta?
Malta’s School Health Service carries out a developmental assessment before school entry, at pre-Kindergarten level.
This assessment includes:
- medical and family history
- language development
- physical development
- social development
- growth
- vaccination records
During the school years, Malta’s School Health Service also provides selected health checks and preventive services, such as vision screening, scoliosis screening and vaccinations at particular school stages.
When may parents consider an additional developmental review?
Some parents may wish to discuss their child’s development at other ages too, especially if they have questions or concerns.
The ages below are not an official Maltese public health schedule. They are simply common stages when development is often reviewed in paediatric practice or mentioned in international child health guidance.
| Age | Why this age may be useful |
|---|---|
| 6–12 weeks | Early feeding, growth, movement and general development can be reviewed. |
| Around 3 months | Parents may wish to discuss early interaction, head control, feeding and general progress. |
| Around 6 months | This can be a useful time to review sitting, movement, feeding, interaction and early communication. |
| 9 months | Several international child health programmes include developmental monitoring or screening around this age. |
| 12 months | This can be a useful time to review movement, communication, feeding, sleep and play. |
| 18 months | This is one of Malta’s Well Baby Clinic developmental check-up ages and is also an important age in international guidance. |
| 24 months | Parents may wish to discuss speech, social communication, play, behaviour and general development. |
| 30–36 months | This can be a useful stage to review language, social skills, behaviour and independence. |
| 4–5 years | A review before or around school entry can help discuss school readiness, communication, motor skills, behaviour and general wellbeing. |
| School age and adolescence | Reviews may be considered when there are concerns about growth, learning, behaviour, emotional wellbeing, puberty or general health. |
These are suggested opportunities for discussion, not a rule that every child must attend all of these visits.
A child should be assessed earlier whenever a parent, teacher, childcare professional or healthcare professional has concerns.
A note about autism screening
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism-specific screening at 18 months and 24 months.
Autism screening is not the same as making a diagnosis. It is a way to identify children who may benefit from a more detailed developmental assessment.
Parents should also raise concerns at any age if they notice difficulties with communication, social interaction, play, behaviour or developmental progress.
What if I am worried before the next check-up?
Do not wait simply because your child has not reached the next age in a schedule.
Further developmental screening or assessment may be useful if:
- you are worried about your child’s development
- a doctor or healthcare professional has a concern
- a teacher or childcare professional raises a concern
- your child needs follow-up for a previous concern
A schedule is only a guide. Every child is different.
The most important message
No timetable can identify every developmental difficulty, and no check-up can guarantee a particular outcome.
Regular developmental monitoring gives parents and doctors repeated opportunities to follow a child’s progress, discuss concerns and decide whether further assessment or support may be helpful.
If you are worried about your child’s development, you do not need to wait for the next scheduled developmental check-up.
Note: This article provides general information about preventive developmental monitoring and screening. It does not replace an individual medical consultation. The appropriate timing of assessment may be different for a child with developmental concerns, medical conditions or additional needs.
Sources
- World Health Organization. Improving the Health and Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents: Guidance on Scheduled Child and Adolescent Well-Care Visits. 2024.
- UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia / WHO Europe. Monitoring Children’s Development Through Primary Health Care in Europe and Central Asia: Directions for Policy and Practice. 2024.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Developmental Surveillance and Screening Patient Care.
- American Academy of Pediatrics / Bright Futures. Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care, Periodicity Schedule. 2025.
- NHS England. Healthy Child Programme. Updated 2026.
- Malta Primary Health Care / myChild. Well Baby Clinic offered by Primary Health Care.
- Malta Primary Health Care. School Health Services.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider if you are concerned about your child's health.
Add comment
Comments