| When it comes to discussing growth and development | | | | to imitate actions and sounds. The next six months are |
| of children, there is no shortage of information. | | | | full of fascination and interest, as baby discovers his |
| Something about the topic of human development | | | | World, and himself. 9 to 12 Months - the mobility stage! |
| from birth through childhood and on to adolescence | | | | By 9 months many babies are crawling, and by the |
| seems to convert virtually anyone into playing the role | | | | end of the first year, might just about be ready to |
| of an informed advisor. Perhaps it is the fact that | | | | "step up" the process. Accordingly, learning is better |
| everyone, regardless of age, social class, culture, etc | | | | achieved by doing or seeing an action than through |
| has personally experienced the process. This might | | | | verbal commands, such as "no" or "don't touch." Self |
| also account for the tremendous disparity of opinions, | | | | esteem begins to emerge, and with it a bit of a |
| philosophies and beliefs. Fortunately, as with most | | | | paradox, as a need for independence develops, while |
| subjects so fundamental in nature, our human instincts | | | | at the same time, increased interaction from parents is |
| can guide us remarkably well, if we let them. With an | | | | desired. The next six months are the most important |
| open mind kept in check by common sense and good | | | | yet in the development of "who I am." The right |
| judgment, parents should be able to sort through the | | | | balance of attention, solitude, praise, discipline and |
| studies, advice and experiences, and emerge with a | | | | education here can help ease the arrival of the "terrible |
| few ideas and a basic outline for their child's | | | | two's" and onward. 18 Months to 2 Years - All of a |
| development. At this point, the idea of furthering one's | | | | sudden your tiny infant is now running and kicking, |
| own education in this field should feel much more | | | | grabbing and holding, perhaps drawing and painting. |
| comfortable than before. Armed with a good basic | | | | However, he or she may also be biting, hitting or hair |
| plan, we bravely confront the "stages of child | | | | pulling. This stage sees an increased sense of |
| development." | | | | independence and of self. However, self-control and |
| As the afore-mentioned "sorting phase" probably | | | | means of self expression are still lagging behind, |
| revealed, not everyone necessarily divides the age | | | | resulting in frustration. Physical exercise and firm |
| stages exactly the same. That seems to reconcile | | | | parenting are vital. Vocabulary and sentence structure |
| quite nicely with the fact that not all children progress | | | | improve rapidly. Object labeling and repetition exercises |
| at the same rate. The true value lies in experiencing | | | | can be beneficial. |
| your child's growth as he or she passes each | | | | Enduring the first two years of a child's development |
| milestone. Birth to 3 Months - during this period, babies | | | | could challenge the patience and sanity of Gandhi. But |
| begin to recognize shapes and colors, as well as | | | | the progress and growth that results is literally once in |
| certain sounds, like Mom's voice. They may even start | | | | a lifetime. |