DEVELOPMENTAL AREAS

Skills

I. Motor
II. Communication
III. Cognitive (Thinking)
IV. Social-Emotional
V. Self Help

The following information relates to the first twelve months of life.

There are many ways that babies express themselves. They may be quiet, average and active and many levels in between.

POSITIONS:

• Prone is lying on the stomach.
• Supine is lying on the back.

COORDINATED MOVEMENTS:

• Fine motor activities involve the small muscles.
• Gross motor activities are sitting, crawling, walking, running, jumping, throwing the ball, etc.

Fine motor development in the use of the fingers, for example, is demonstrated by a child who first acquires a swiping motion to pick up an object and then progresses to a pincer grasp, using the fingers.

COMMUNICATION:

1. Receptive language is understanding what is said to him/her.
2. Expressive language are sounds and eventually words that the baby makes. They start with vowel sounds and follow with consonants. The acquisition of meaningful words follows a progression.
3. Cognitive development is the development of thinking sldlls. It is demonstrated by behavior. It is a synthesis of what is going on in his/her environment. It is demonstrated by interaction; what toys to play with and with what variety.
4. Social-emotional sldlls; such as in play, what toys, by self or with other children or people, self image development, coping with fears, frustration, etc.
5. Self help skills shows ability to care for self; feeding, bathing, toileting, avoiding obstacles.

Social-emotional and self help skills are important for the child's independence.

Baby's Sensory Systems that affect development:

1. Vision Eyes
2. Auditory Ears
3. Oral Mouth
4. Vestibular Movement
5. Tactile Touch

• Babies need stimulus for development
• Sensory and motor areas are tied together

Overall development:

BONDING and attachment behaviors are a result of a gradual process between mother and baby.

• This is a mutually satisfying relationship.
• Enjoy physical contact provided mainly by mother.
• Observe if baby stiffens or does he/she nuzzle close to mother.
• Is there eye contact between mother and baby during feeding, during bathing, dressing.
• How does mother respond to babies' cries.
• Does mother talk about baby in positive terms.
• It is a two way street; mother responds to baby and baby responds to mother. If it doesn't happen, it can interfere with bonding.
• What others think about the baby affects mother's feelings.
• To process bonding, it is good to help mother to focus on something positive Provide positive reinforcement to mother.

*From Debbie Caine Lectures, January 1986