I have two children in my daycare who were over 2 months premature. They have both caught up and are doing great. The boy started here at 10 months of age and his parents kept telling me, well really, he's only 8 months so they didn't try to get him to do ANYTHING! So as he reached his first birthday I was getting him to eat normal table food, learn to hold his bottle and sippy cup, and other things I expect from a 12 month old. He didn't walk for a long time though, but now he's 20 months and talking and all caught up. My main issue is the parents who don't expect anything of him. How is he supposed to learn if we don't encourage him? Oy!!!

My 4 year old girl caught up even faster than this boy because her Mom listened to my advice and encouraged her daughter to learn. This little girl was on a puffer for underdeveloped lungs when she was 1 & 2 and is now the fastest runner in my group. I swear, she should train for the Olympics in a few years.

Don't be afraid to tell the parents to help you teach and encourage their son and let them know he's healthy, because it may take several months before you are able to diagnose any other conditions that you suspect. I wouldn't mention those, but that's just me. I would watch him closely and give the parents gentle hints.