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Helping Growth & Development in the Early Years
Often busy parents wonder if they are giving their child enough attention. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Even the youngest child needs to spend time alone. Remember sometimes it is ok to supervise your child’s play from a distance. However, remember to frequently check and speak or praise your child.
• If you ensure your baby has interesting items in its sleeping area this will keep them amused. A sturdy mobile safe crib will encourage kicking and reaching. Stuffed toys and hardy books give little hands and eyes an opportunity for quiet play.
• Consider a play environment with one or two objects to attract baby’s attention. As soon as baby becomes involved, move away quietly.
• Remember to give the crawling child new challenges. Sometimes even a kitchen chair placed upside down can become something new to explore. Even some cushions placed on the floor can make a challenging obstacle course.
Your child will be much happier and healthier if you:
• Look for and encourage signs of readiness to learn new skills. Before a child can drink from a cup without spilling it, he/she must be able to pick it up and let go of it.
• A child must be able to recognize body signals before giving nappies away.
• Be prepared for setbacks. Often if children are sleepy, tired, cranky, or ill they will return to old habits. Often their life changes, such as another baby, maybe even a change in baby sitters. Changes such as these can require time for adjustment.
• Remember to make yourself aware of the various ages in which you can expect your child to achieve certain achievements such as sleeping through the night, eating solid food, walking, talking, and becoming toilet trained.
Remember to reward positive behaviours
Children need help in learning the self-control their minds and bodies are not yet capable of exercising.
Recognise that crying and clinging are often things children do to get our attention. Even though this behaviour may produce anger or punishment from the parents it is always better to praise or reward your child for good behaviour.
Where possible break the pattern of bad behaviour as early as possible. See if you can move their attention to a toy or even new game or activity. You may even consider moving baby to another room or putting some music on.
When you correct a behaviour never say, "You are bad." "You are stupid or dumb” or the like.
Look for a reason for bad behaviour. Maybe they are hungry, their nappy is dirty or they are just bored! If they are crying at 4 p.m. they may be trying to tell you they are hungry or then again it may be one who just wants your attention.
Help your child to explore the environment and learn how the body works.
Be conscious of the time baby spends in an infant seat, swing, playpen, or walker. You may consider the following instead:
• During the first 6 months, put baby on a blanket on her/his tummy with some colourful toys that will encourage them to reach, stretch, and look around.
• When baby is crawling, provide areas to explore that are free of hazards.
• Keep cupboards locked that have cleaning agents etc and keep baby away from hanging electrical cords. You can never be too careful here.
• As baby starts to walk, ensure they have a safe area where they can pull themselves up to their feet. Watch out for overhanging saucepans and always be aware of the unexpected.
• When baby gains skill, help them to explore the senses of touch and balance by walking barefoot on some surfaces, such as grass and carpet, and up and down inclines.
Remember to provide toys that can help your child to improve his or her skills
When crawling, infants often like to discover hidden objects and toys that fit tog
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