Early Learning Tools/Resources: For Families, Caregivers and Early Learning Educators
Many parents and caregivers, as well as teachers and early learning providers, are eager for information and resources on how to connect with babies and toddlers, manage young children's behavior, and help children develop relationships, regulate their behavior and emotions, and talk about their feelings. When the adults in children's lives have appropriate expectations of children's development at different ages, they have greater success—and much less frustration—with young children. Click the arrow button above to learn more.
Developmental Achievements
Enaganging in meaning Interaction to drive your babys development and emotional security
Virtually every aspect of early human development, from the brains evolving circuitry to the child's capacity for empathy, is affected by the environments and experiences that are encountered in a cumulative fashion, beginning early in the prenatal period and extending throughout the early childhood years. Early experiences shape development and influence children's continued progress along positive pathways.
Young babies need the security of touch in their parent’s arms. They understand the reassurance and comfort of your voice, tone and emotions. Consider the following as ways to foster emotional security of your newborn:
• Hold your baby very close and make eye contact.
• Talk to your baby with a soothing, animated voice throughout the day while dressing, bathing, feeding or playing with your baby.
• Sing to your baby.
• Give your baby rattles and soft toys with different sounds.
• Let your baby hear different sounds (for example, wind chime, ticking clock, soft music or music box).
• Show your baby bright pictures of black and white images.
• Hang a mobile with bright objects above your baby.
• Call your baby by name.
• Hold your baby during feedings and provide comfort when he or she is distressed and cuddling when happy.
Movement/Physical Development
What can my baby do at this age?
As your baby begins to grow, you will notice new and exciting abilities that develop. Babies at this age begin to relax the tight muscle tone of newborns and begin extending their arms and legs more. While babies may progress at different rates, the following are some of the common milestones your baby may reach in this age group:
• Some of the newborn protective reflexes begin to disappear
• Neck muscles become stronger, head bobs then is held erect
• Turns head from side to side when placed on abdomen
• Brings hands or objects to mouth
• Looks at hands
• Follows light, faces, objects
• Listens to sounds
• Opens and closes hands
• Holds, then drops a rattle or other object
• Active leg movements
• Raises head and chest when lying on stomach (3 months)
• Supports upper body with arms when lying on stomach (3 months)
Social and Emotional
• Begins to smile at people
• Can briefly calm herself (may bring hands to mouth and suck on hand)
• Tries to look at parent(s)
Language and Communication
What can my baby covey through sounds and gestures?
By using her cries, facial expressions, and body movements she is an effective communicator because you respond. This motivates her to keep on communicating. It is very exciting for parents to watch their babies become social beings that can interact with others. While every baby develops speech at his or her own rate, the following are some of the common milestones in this age group:
• Begins to imitate some sounds (coos, laugh and squeal)
• Cries become more purposeful and are different for hunger, fatigue, and other needs
• Turns their head towards sounds.
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
What does my baby understand?
A baby’s understanding and awareness of the world around him or her increases during this time. While babies may progress at different rates, the following are some of the common milestones in this age group:
• Knows familiar voices, especially of mother and father
• Smiles in response to others
• Responds to social contact, may coo
• Moves arms, legs, body in rhythm with other’s voice
• Begins to act bored (cries, fussy) if activity doesn’t change
