Child Development

Between birth and 1 year, babies learn from what they see, hear and touch. They are interested in objects close to them including moving and colorful objects. They can roll over from front to back, learn to sit, hold onto something to pull themselves up, begin to stand and may take first steps. As a parent, there are good ways to promote early child development; for example, you can hold your toddler and make eye contacts, talk to him, and let him look at colorful items. You can interact with your toddler and enable him to watch your action by slowly turn your face towards it.   Encourage your baby to grasp and pick up objects, teach him to transfer objects between his two hands, reading stories, call your baby by his name so he can recognize his own name and teach the baby to recognize his parents’ faces. 

 

 

Between 1 and 2 years, a child starts to gain a sense of their own identities.  He can walk, run, play football, hold the handrail while walking up and down stairs, doodle on a paper, be able to use his finger more fluently, say a word, identify objects and follow simple instructions. 2-year-olds can say two-syllable words and a child learn to draw basic shapes e.g. circles, squares, and triangles. Often, parents should play with him, encourage pretend play, read picture books with him, and sing easy songs to support the development. You can help your child by let him draw a line, organize wooden pieces, feed himself, drink from a cup and do some tasks by himself such as take off his pant. 

 

 

By the time a child is 2-3 year olds; he becomes curious and has a lot of questions about the world around them. A child at this age loves to watch and observes the surroundings as well as copies what adults do. He can jump in place, choose the ordered picture, talk in sentences using 3-5 words, play imaginary games, wait a little while and not cry when away from mother. During this developmental stage, it is useful for parents to keep talking to your child with clear words, answering their questions without complaining or being annoyed. You should encourage your child to talk, tell stories, sing and write.  You may provide objects of different shapes, and sizes for your child to play with including opportunities for role-playing, teach him to communicate what he needs and how to say “No”. 

 

 

3- to 4-year-old child is eager to try new things. Your child can walk up and down stairs alternating feet, throw a ball, and attempt to catch a small one. He can pedal a tricycle; draw a person with at least three body parts, sort objects by size (small or large), answer simple questions by pointing his finger during reading time. As a parent, you can encourage your child to play games called “what is it?” as often as possible, teach him to count, pick up 1-5 objects, observe and recognize the difference, and group the same things. A child should be practiced to tell story from pictures, ask a question based on described picture, dress, button up, unzip and put on shoes. 

 

 

 

This is a stage of intellectual development; a child begins to develop greater in the perception and curiosity. Your child can combine 8 pieces into the complete picture; decide which pieces are the first and the last one, and correctly responses to the question such as what will you do if you have fever or hungry”. Your child can clean themselves after bowel movement and hold a pencil properly. He starts to think independently, experiment new things and often ask a question. Parents then should reply with short and simple sentences every time to help better understanding, parents my ask an interesting question, open-ended question, expand his question, praise him when the answer is correct.

 

 

Early Childhood from birth to 5 years is a vital stage, so parent or care taker must learn and understand each period the child go through. You can be a coach providing support and guidance to assist your child to have proper development and this coach will help build relationship between parent and a child which is the best protection for him.