While there is no firm event or developmental milestone marking the transition from early to middle childhood, it is generally agreed that early childhood lasts from birth to age 5 or 6. This first stage of life is a crucial developmental period, and parents' actions are important to ensure that children develop and progress to the fullest degree possible.
Infancy
Infancy is the developmental period from birth until a baby takes her first steps. It generally lasts a year. During infancy, babies are rapidly growing and developing. The Centers for Disease Control and Protection recommends several ways for parents to maximize their child's development during this time. The CDC recommends engaging in communication with the baby. By talking to, reading and even singing, parents help their child develop language skills. Parents also further their child's emotional development by holding and playing with their baby. Over the course of the first year, babies will triple their birth weight according to "Human Motor Development." Given the high rate of weight gain, it is important that parents actively ensure that they are meeting their newborn's nutritional needs.
Toddlers From 1 to 2 Years Old
As children enter toddlerhood, parents deal with their child walking and the increased mobility that it brings. Children often want to explore new things and parents should encourage this. New experiences provide new stimuli to the toddler and advance his cognitive development. Parents can also read to their toddler and engage in more structured games, such as matching games or searching for objects specified by the parent.
Toddlers From 2 to 3 Years Old
Parents should continue to foster development by exposing their child to new environments. Going on walks, playing in parks and generally running around outdoors are good ways to do this. Continuing to read new books and teaching the child basic songs are also beneficial to cognitive development.
Preschoolers From 3 to 5 Years Old
During this developmental time, children become more engaged with life both in the family and outside of it. Part of early childhood development at this age is learning how to socialize with other children. Parents should encourage their children to play with other kids while emphasizing things such as how to share and what it means to be friends. Parents also affect their child's development by how they speak to them. Parents should speak in full sentences with proper grammar and encourage the child to do the same.
Developmental Milestones
The CDC provides parents a series of developmental milestones for their child. These milestones are for the purpose of monitoring childhood development across all developmental areas at seven ages. The developmental aspects covered include: social and emotional, cognitive, language, movement and fine motor skills. The age periods covered are at 3 months, 7 months, 1 year and then yearly until age 5. Parents can help their children reach these developmental milestones by following their parenting recommendations.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Positive Parenting Tips
- Center for Diseases Control and Prevention: Developmental Milestones
- "Human Motor Development"; V. Payne and D. Issacs; 2008
