Children and babies, undergo the most thrilling and important stages of human development. The changes that take place in their earliest days of life through the active childhood years, happen at breakneck speed physically, cognitively, and with emotions. Knowing about these stages can help parents, educators, and caregivers know how to best care for and support them, for healthy development.
Physical Development in Babies and Kids
A baby's physical growth is astounding. In the first year babies change from mostly helpless newborns until they are walking toddlers. In the beginning babies rely only on reflexes for movement; reflexes like grasping, sucking, etc. As time passes babies become aware of their mobility and gain a level of control, rolling over, sitting up, crawling and soon walking. Fine motor skills also improve quickly; babies learn to grasp small objects or to feed themselves.
After infancy children reach toddlerhood and then the early stages of childhood.As children progress along this developmental path, they too are developing coordination and physical self-awareness. As children run, jump, climb and balance during play, they become more cognizant of what their bodies can and cannot do, and how they can do it. Children develop better muscles and bones, improve coordination and balance, and create the right environment for a healthy weight, and all of the other developmental benefits of physical movement in play.
Cognitive Growth and Learning
Cognitive development starts at birth when babies begin using their senses to explore their world.Babies recognize the sounds of voices, their maternal figure’s face and different objects, and during this process they are starting to form initial memory and problem-solving skills. Around six months, babies are starting to recognize cause and device, such as shaking or rattling the object makes a sound.
Language skills begin to take off for children as they grow. Children will, by age two, be able to produce simple sentences, and follow simple directions. The preschool years are important for teaching children how to use imagination, creativity and early reasoning. During these years, children generally have many opportunities for play, which allow them to learn social expectations, explore ideas, and strengthen their critical thinking skills.
Emotional and Social Development
Through touch, eye gaze, and soothing sounds, babies develop emotional attachments to their primary caregivers. These emotionally based attachments provide comfort, directly satisfying their emotional needs. They provide feelings of security that are crucial in the emotional landscape of babies at this time. Babies communicate their emotional experiences through crying, cooing and smiling for some time during their early development. They also slowly learn to regulate their feelings.
During toddlerhood and early childhood, social skills take the stage. Children start to interact with family group and peers, and learn to share, take turns and express empathy. These interactions provide the opportunities that teach the critical skills of co-operating and communicating which in turn supports the expressions of friendship and teamwork.
Health and Safety for Young Children
It is important for the baby and child to be safe and healthy and that this will take constant monitoring. Routine health checks allow pediatricians and primary care doctors to assess and observe a child's development, perform required injections and drive the family to ensure their child is healthy.
Implementing best practices for safe sleeping for babies by ensuring babies are sleeping on their backs and on a firm mattress dramatically reduces the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) Safe sleeping is only one aspect of child/infant safety. Childproofing the home in such a way that the infant can move around is only as good as securing all the furniture in the immediate area, using plastic covers on electrical outlets, and or putting toxic substances beyond reach to limit accidents. Using surveillance while a child is playing can help limit accidents and injury, especially outdoors. Able to recognize early signs of developmental delays or other types of health issues allows parents an opportunity to access professional support sooner than later.
Nutrition: Fueling Growth and Development
Nutrition is certainly very important with respect to the growth and development of babies/children. The recommendation is to breastfeed exclusively, as not only does breastfeeding provide antibodies, it also gives great nutrition for the first six months of life.At approximately six months, babies will start to add solid foods to their diet and they will start with pureed vegetables, fruit, and cereals to account for additional energy needs.
As children progress, nutrition will also include balance with vitamins, minerals, proteins, and healthy fats for healthy brain development, immune health, and physical health. A limit should be set on the consumption of sugary snacks and beverages and children should be encouraged to drink yes water. Exposing children to good eating behaviors at a young age builds a platform for nutritious eating during their lifetime.
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