MUSIC IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Generally, we have learned that children from birth to approximately age six do not express music like adults. Early childhood, a period of rapid change and development, is the most critical period in a child's musical growth and has been identified in the literature as the "music babble" stage (Moog, 1976; Gordon, 1988) or primary music development (Levinowitz and Guilmartin, 1989, 1992, 1996). Even the youngest infant is wired to receive music and discriminate among differences in frequency, melody, and stimuli (Bridger, 1961; Trehum et al, 1990; Standley and Madsen, 1990; Zentner and Kagan, 1996).
The years from birth through age six are critical for learning how to unscramble the aural images of music and to develop mental representations for organizing the music of the culture (Holahan, 1987; Davidson, 1985). This process is similar to that which unfolds for language during the "language babble" stage. The body of knowledge acquired through research thus far supports the notion that, like language development, young children develop musically through a predictable sequence to basic music competence, which includes singing in tune and marching to a beat (Levinowitz and Guilmartin, 1989, 1992, 1996). Consider this analogy; in cable television, visual images are readily available for any channel; however, to see them you need a cable box to unscramble the images. During primary music development, children create a "box" or mental representation to unscramble the aural images of music. This multifaceted, complex mental representation is known is "audiation". Audiation is paramount in importance because it is basic to all types of musical thinking. Without audiation, no musical growth can take place.
Early childhood is also the time when children learn about their world primarily through the magical process of play. The substance of play in very young children is usually comprised of the environmental objects and experiences to which they have been exposed. If the music environment is sufficiently rich, there will be a continuous and ever richer spiral of exposure to new musical elements followed by the child's playful experimentation with these elements.
Edwin Gordon has identified early childhood as the period of developmental music aptitude (1988). During these years, music potential or aptitude, which is based on the complex construct of audiation, is in a state of change. Because of this state of change, the child's musical aptitude is vulnerable to positive or negative influences through both instruction and environment. Without sufficient stimulation and exposure, a child has little with which to experiment and learn through his or her musical play. The most typical negative influence on developmental music aptitude is simply neglect. Hence, the inborn potential for musical growth may actually atrophy.
Just as all children are born with the potential to learn to speak and understand their native language, all children are born with the potential to learn to perform and understand their culture's music. When a child has developed a mental representation of his or her culture's music, the inner reality (audiation) should enable the outer performance to be more accurate. By first grade, many children develop the ability to perform the music of their culture with accuracy. However, many children do not.

Childhood Development: First 6 Weeks

Child development is a process every child goes through. This process involves learning and mastering skills like sitting, walking, talking, skipping, and tying shoes

Children develop skills in five main areas of development:
Cognitive Development
This is the child's ability to learn and solve problems. For example, this includes a two-month-old baby learning to explore the environment with hands or by observation or a five-year-old learning how to do simple math problems, puzzles etc.
Social and Emotional Development
This is the child's ability to interact with others.Examples of this type of development would include: a six-week-old baby smiling, a ten-month-old baby waving bye-bye.
Speech and Language Development
This is the child's ability to both understand the usage of language. For example, this includes a 12-month-old baby saying his first words. Fine Motor Skill Development
This is the child's ability to use small muscles, specifically their hands and fingers, to pick up small objects, hold a spoon, turn pages in a book, or use a crayon to draw, colouring etc First 6
Childhood Development: First 6 Weeks
Newborns experience the world very differently from the way that we experience the world. Newborns are totally dependent on us for their basic needs. In the first six weeks, you and your baby will learn a lot about each other. The give-and-take that occurs between you helps to form the basis of your relationship together this will improve your child to develop relationships with others. Pay close attention to your baby. When your baby sleeps, make sure he is lying on his back unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
What your baby can see:
• At birth, your baby can only see objects that are about 8-12 inches away, like your face when you are holding her. When you are close to your baby, what she sees best is your face.
• Soon, you will notice that your baby follows your movements.
• Your baby may enjoy seeing bright colors or large black and white pictures and toys.
What your baby can hear:
• Your baby has been listening to sounds since he was inside you.
• Look for changes in your baby's body movements or facial expressions when there are new or loud sounds around him. What your baby can feel:
• Your touch is very important to your baby! Babies enjoy gentle massages.
• By holding your baby, you are teaching her that she is loved and safe.
• Your baby feels temperature changes, so be careful to dress her appropriately for the weather.
How your baby eats:
• How much and how often your baby eats will vary.
• Your baby can only tolerate liquids right now, so feed him only breast milk or iron-fortified formula.
How to care for your baby's mouth:
• Your baby's gums need to be cleaned with an infant toothbrush.
How your baby moves
• Your baby is slowly gaining control over his muscles.
• During these six weeks, your baby will need a lot of support to hold his head up.
• Your baby may move his arms and legs to show his interest in the action around him.
• Your baby may have sudden jerking movements, so when you are carrying him, be careful to support him well.
• When awake, give your baby "tummy time"
How your baby communicates (your baby's speech and language development):
• Your baby's cry is her way of communicating her needs.
• Your baby cries to let you know when she is hungry, tired, hot, cold, bored, sick, or wants to be held. Very soon, you will notice that your baby's cry sounds different based on her different needs.
• Your baby may make cooing sounds, particularly when you talk to her.
• When your baby makes eye contact with you, he is communicating his interest!
• Your baby may pull back, or turn away from you to show that he needs a break.

Next post will be of Childhood Development: 1½ to 3 Months

READING!!!!!!

Why Should I Read to My Toddler?

Reading improves comprehending and creative skills in a child. In this early age they can develop many skills through reading because reading makes them busy and make them innovative, talented, analytical, and critical. Thus it develops thinking skills in a child, they begin to think broadly.

Before your child can read independently, he or she needs a set of skills called emergent literacy skills. These include:

• having a large vocabulary of words and knowing how to use them

• understanding that words are made up of smaller sounds (this is called phonemic awareness)

• understanding that marks on a page represent letters and words

• knowing the letters of the alphabet

You don't need games, flashcards, or special instruction to help your child gain these skills. You just need books, your child, and you. Reading to your child as often as possible is the best thing you can do to help him. You just need to teach them with enjoyment. Use different kinds of words in your home unfamiliar to your child so that they can adopt new vocabulary. Buy tracing books and make them trace the letters so that your child may not face difficulty reading books. Buy CDs or cassette of poems and phonics so that your child may adopt some skills needed to read books. It is all up to you how you teach them and how much interest you take.

COOKING WITH PRESCHOOLERS

Cooking helps child to develop skills because during the period of childhood, cognitive development begins in a child. Thus in this early age, they absorb much skills and their mind grows in this early age. However cooking develops creativity in a child also develops observational skills.  There are also many more benefits which are mentioned below:-

Cooking Can Help Preschoolers:-

•Build basic skills:- You can help your child develop basic math skills by doing something as simple as counting eggs or pouring water into a measuring cup. You can test their skills by questioning them, for e.g.:-what comes first, second, and third or count together as you spoon dough onto a cookie sheet. Cooking also develops vocabulary in a child when you read a recipe.

•Encourage an adventurous palate:- Encourage kids to taste new ingredients you're working with and talk about what they like and how healthy foods make a body grow.This makes them more interactive with you.

•Help young kids explore with their senses:- Invite them to listen to the whir of the mixer, make them see the whole process. And at last If it smells good, looks appealing, and is easy to eat they may just be willing to try it!

•Boost confidence:-  Cooking also makes child confident and develops self esteem in a child.

Ideal Jobs for Preschoolers in the Kitchen

A few tasks in the kitchen are particularly well-suited to kids ages 3 to 5. If your child loves to pound, bring out the bread dough and let your preschooler pound away.Here are some other ways kids can help:

• stirring pancake batter

• tearing lettuce for salad

• adding ingredients

• assembling a pizza

• helping you "read" a cookbook by turning the pages

Getting Started/Initiating

Look for a few cooking-related activities that your child can successfully complete independently or with a minimum of involvement from you. Simple tasks like pouring liquid into the bowl, sprinkling cheese on top of the casserole, or using cookie cutters are a good fit for most preschoolers. Don't plan an elaborate project — 5 to 10 minutes might be all your child wants to spend on an activity. Start small and keep it fun.

Preschoolers will also enjoy learning with you. For safety reasons, you should be in the kitchen with them at all times, supervising and monitoring progress.

Thus cooking develops all the basic skills which are required during childhood.

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT DURING CHILDHOOD

Language development really takes off during this time, especially as your baby approaches the second birthday.

How Babies Communicate?

Most babies say their first words in the beginning of this period, though some start even sooner and others don't start until they're nearly 2 years old. Babies this age might have learned fragments of dozens of words that probably won't be recognizable yet. When they get around to talking, though, they'll probably progress quickly and recognize names of familiar people, objects, and body parts. By 2 years old, babies may use phrases and even two- to four-word sentences.

Your child should be able to respond to commands ("Roll the ball to Mommy") and should be fully aware of the names of familiar objects and family members.

What is your responsibility as a parent?

Instead of using "baby" words, teach your child the correct names for people, places, and things. Speak slowly and clearly, and keep it simple.

Your baby may still be communicating with gestures. Gestures are OK, but you should use a running commentary such as, "Do you want a drink?" (when he or she points to the refrigerator), then wait for a response. Then say, "What do you want? Milk? OK, let's get some milk." Such behavior encourages your baby to respond and participate in conversations. 

Between 15 and 18 months, your baby will probably begin to enjoy language games that ask him or her to identify things, such as: "Where's your ear?" and "Where is Mommy?" Your child's vocabulary will grow quickly; most babies mispronounce their words. Instead, emphasize the correct pronunciation in your response.

Should I Be Concerned?

Some babies don't talk until their second birthday and choose instead to get by with the use of gestures and sounds. Most babies this age have these communication milestones in common:

• speak about 15 words by 18 months

• put two words together to form a sentence by age 2

• follow simple directions by age 2

Hearing problems may become more apparent during this stage because of the emergence of speech. Don't hesitate to report to the doctor. Sometimes chronic ear infections can leave kids with excessive fluid buildup that can interfere with normal hearing. Special tests can check for hearing loss.

Some parents worry that a toddler who is not speaking may have autism. Children with autism and related conditions may have delayed speech or other problems with communication, but poor social interactions, and limited or restricted interests or patterns of behavior are also hallmarks of the disorder. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's development, talk with your doctor.

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Tips for parents about early childhood care and medication

* Diapers:  Most babies that are fed using the PDF method usually need a diaper change at each feeding time.  This means that your baby will need about 6-8 diapers a day or more.  Many new parents time the diaper changes with the after dinner bowel movement, but if you miss it, you will just have a few more diapers to change during the day.  

* Diaper rash:  Sensitive skin is a common problem for some babies 

and they may get a diaper rash due to a food allergy, yeast infection, sitting too long in a wet or messy diaper, or teething.  If you notice your baby beginning to get a diaper rash, talk to your pediatrician about which diaper rash medicine will work for your baby.  

* Growth spurts:  Growth spurts can start as early as 10 days after your baby’s birth.  Growth spurts usually are preceded by a sleepy, lethargic day and a big jump in appetite.  Growth spurts may happen again at 3, 6, and 12 weeks and again at 4 and 6 months.  If you begin to notice that your child is not as satisfied with the amount that you have been feeding her previously, then she may be beginning a growth spurt period.  If you are breastfeeding, you may want to add a feeding or two to satiate your baby’s appetite and to help increase milk production.  

* Immunizations:  With all of the conflicting reports on immunizations, you may be unsure about whether or not you want your child to receive immunizations.  I think that there are simply too many fatal diseases that can be prevented by immunizing your baby to take the chance.  If you are unsure, then you need to talk with your pediatrician, but understand that the reason that the infant mortality rate is so low in this country is because immunizations are routinely done.  

* Pacifiers & thumb sucking:  If you breastfeed, do not allow your child to use you as their pacifier.  If your baby seems to have a need to suck beyond eating, then you need to give them a pacifier.  There is no “nipple confusion” between a breast nipple and a pacifier as they are very different in feel and taste.  Babies will know the difference between the two.  Some children do not want a pacifier but will suck on their thumb.  If you don’t have a problem with it, then let them.  

* Spitting up:  It is very common for babies to spit up, but some babies do it more than others.  If your baby is growing normally, then there is no need to worry about it.  Projectile throwing up is not the same as spitting up.  Projectile throwing up is a violent reaction to reject the contents of the stomach and not just “burping” up a little milk.  If your baby does this frequently, consult your pediatrician.  

Childhood Development: 1½ to 3 Months ( TIPS AND GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS)

You and your baby are slowly settling into a routine of nap times and awake times. By three months, your baby is awake for a good part of the day, and sleeping most of the night. Your baby is ready to learn about the world when he is awake. It's a good time to slowly introduce new experiences to your baby. New experiences will help your baby's brain develop.

What your baby can see:

• Your baby's vision is improving!
• She is able to follow moving objects better.
• She can see close objects more clearly.
• She can recognize and understand where the sound is coming from.
• She sees your smile, and learns to smile back.
• Your baby is discovering her hands, and may spend time just looking at them.

What your baby can feel:

• Your baby's hands are opening up.
• Your baby may close her hands around objects placed in the palm of her hand.
• If you rub different materials or toys against her fingers, she will move her fingers against the material or toy.
• Your baby may even enjoy the feeling of her hand in her mouth.

How your baby eats:

• How much and how often your baby eats will vary.
• Your baby can only tolerate liquids right now, so feed him only breast milk or iron-fortified formula.
  

How to care for your baby's mouth:

• Your baby's gums need to be cleaned with an infant toothbrush or wet washcloth/gauze after feedings and at bedtime.
  

How your baby moves (your baby's gross motor skill development):

• Your baby is strengthening the muscles in his neck so that he may be able to hold his head up on his own, but he still needs your careful support.
• When you place your baby on his stomach for a little while, your baby will learn to hold up his head.
• She begin playing with toys slowly.
  

How your baby communicates (your baby's speech and language development):

• Your baby likes to make cooing sounds. When you hear your baby cooing, it's a good idea to coo, sing, or talk in return.
• Your baby will learn that making sounds is a good way to get your attention, and will coo even more when you respond to her "talk".
• Your baby's cries are becoming easier to identify. She will be able to use her sounds to tell you if she is hungry, wet, tired, or wants a change of position.
• Your baby still uses body language to tell you how she feels about what is going on.
• She may bring her hand to her head to signal that she wants a break, suck her fingers or hand, or turn her head away from you.
  

Loving and playing with your baby:

• Take your baby to different parts of the house so he/she can experience different things. In this way a baby can observe different things and will start recognizing different things, she/he will start thinking.
• Change your baby's position every so often.
• He/she may like to sit in a swing for a while. Take your baby to different environment to make them fresh.
• Respond quickly to your baby's needs. His/Her cry will tell you what he needs.
• Your baby will eat about every 3-4 hours. Some babies learn to sleep through the night; others still need to eat during the night. Remember to rest when your baby rests, if you can!
• Songs and nursery rhymes help your child to be ready for stories and picture books later on. Buy some rhyming, educational , poems CD or buy puzzle, ABC games so that a baby may enjoy.

Social and Emotional Preparation

These all points are also related to positive parenting.
Also visit http://www.parenting-wikipedia.blogspot.com

Children start school with different degrees of social and emotional
maturity. These qualities take time and practice to learn. Give your child
opportunities at home to begin to develop the following positive qualities.
★ Confidence: Children must feel good about themselves and believe
they can succeed.
★ Independence: Children must learn to do things for themselves.
★ Motivation: Children must want to learn.
★ Curiosity: Children are naturally
curious to get the most out of learning opportunities.
★ Persistence: Children must learn tofinish what they start.
★ Cooperation: Children must be able to get along with others and learn to share and take turns.
★ Self-control: Children must learn that there are good and bad ways
to express anger.
★ Empathy: Children must have an interest in others and understand
how others feel.
Here are some things that you can do to help your child develop these qualities.
★ Show your child that you care about him and that you are dependable.
Children who feel loved are more likely to be confident. Your child must believe that, no matter what, someone
will look out for him. Give your baby or toddler plenty of attention, encouragement, hugs and lap time.
★ Set a good example. Children imitate what they see others do and what they hear
others say.

Medical Care

Preschoolers require regular medical checkups, immunizations and dental care. It’s important for you to find a doctor where your child can receive routine health care as well as special treatment if
she becomes sick.
Early immunizations can help prevent a number of diseases including measles, mumps, German measles (rubella), diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), polio and tuberculosis. These diseases can have serious effects on your child’s physical and mental development.
Beginning by the age of 3 at the latest, your child also should have regular
dental checkups.

DEVELOPING LANGUAGE SKILLS IN A CHILD

★ Give your child opportunities to play. Play is how children learn. It is the natural way for them to explore, to become creative, to learn to make up and tell stories and to develop social skills. Play also helps children learn to solve problems—for example, if her wagon tips over, a child must figure out how to get it upright again. When they stack up blocks, children learn about colors, numbers, geometry, shapes and balance. Playing with others helps children learn how to negotiate.
★ Support and guide your child as she learns a new activity. Give puzzles or cross words to your child as activity.
★ Talk to your child, beginning at birth. Your baby needs to hear your voice. The more you talk to your baby, the more he will learn and the more he will have to talk about as he gets older. Everyday activities provide opportunities to talk, sometimes in detail, about what’s happening around him.
★ Listen to your child. Children have their own special thoughts and feelings, joys and sorrows, hopes and fears. As your child’s language skills develop, encourage her to talk about her thoughts and feelings. Listening is the best way to learn what’s on her mind and to discover what she knows and doesn’t know and how she thinks and learns. It also shows your child that her feelings and thoughts are valuable.

Cognitive development during early years

Watch this video.teachers and parents should give creative activity such as puzzles, crosswords activity to the child to develop thinking skills in the child.

Communicating With Your Baby

What Should I Do?

Your baby is listening to everything you say, and storing it away at an incredible rate. Instead of using "baby" words, teach your child the correct names for people, places, and things. Speak slowly and clearly, and keep it simple.

Your baby may still be communicating with gestures such as pointing to something he or she wants. Gestures are OK, but you should use a running commentary such as, "Do you want a drink?" (when he or she points to the refrigerator), then wait for a response. Then say, "What do you want? Milk? OK, let's get some milk." Such behavior encourages your baby to respond and participate in conversations. But don't frustrate your baby by withholding food or drink waiting for a response.

Between 15 and 18 months, your baby will probably begin to enjoy language games that ask him or her to identify things, such as: "Where's your ear?" and "Where is Mommy?" Your child's vocabulary will grow quickly, but pronunciation isn't likely to keep pace. Resist the temptation to correct your baby's pronunciation; most babies mispronounce their words. Instead, emphasize the correct pronunciation in your response.
Should I Be Concerned?

Some babies don't talk until their second birthday and choose instead to get by with the use of gestures and sounds. Vocabulary varies widely at this age, too; some babies say dozens of words, others only a few.

Most babies this age have these communication milestones in common:

* speak about 15 words by 18 months
* put two words together to form a sentence by age 2
* follow simple directions by age 2

Hearing problems may become more apparent during this stage because of the emergence of speech. Don't hesitate to report any concerns you have to your doctor immediately, especially if you feel your child is not babbling or responding to your speech patterns. Sometimes chronic ear infections can leave kids with excessive fluid buildup that can interfere with normal hearing. Special tests can check for hearing loss.

Some parents worry that a toddler who is not speaking may have autism. Children with autism and related conditions may have delayed speech or other problems with communication, but poor social interactions, and limited or restricted interests or patterns of behavior are also hallmarks of the disorder. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's development, talk with your doctor.

APHA CROSSWORD ACTIVITY FOR CHILDREN

The first letter of each answer appears next to its clue in
alphabetical order. All the first letters have been entered

into the grid. Can you complete the puzzle?

A. Fruit of the oak tree (5)

B. Something to read (4)

B. Insect (3)

C. Taxi (3)

C. Desert animal (5)

D. Sand hills (5)

E. The night before (3)

G. Type of antelope (7)

G. Precious stones (4)

I. Ice hut (5)

I. Writing fluid (3)

J. Type of music (4)

J. Fruit drink (5)

K. Tap on a door (5)

L. Jump (4)

S. Unhappy (3)

S. Brief periods of rain (7)

S. Snow runner (3)

10 Tips for Choosing Books for Children of All Ages

* Have children choose their own books as soon as they start showing a preference for one over another.
* Find the children's section of your local library. Get to know the librarian, who can be a great resource.
* Find out what your child is interested in
* Ask friends, family, and teachers what books their children have enjoyed
* If your child does not like a book you are reading together, put it away. Reading is a fun time to share, not a time to fight.
* Again, Again, Again! Children may want to read the same book many times, even if you think they have outgrown it.
* Use book lists generated by various literacy organizations;
* Look for books that you will like reading aloud. Your enjoyment will shine through and become contagious.
* Try out different kinds of books to see what appeals to your children.
* Have fun! Show your children the joy of reading and how it can open up a brand new world!

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PRESENTATION ON EARLYCHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (ECD0

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DEVELOPING THINKING SKILLS IN EARLY YEARS

This topic refers to mental process of child involved in gaining knowledge and comprehension, including:-

thinking
knowing
judging
reasoning
problem solving

Thinking process in a child starts to develop during childhood, it is a normal process which is done without guidance.

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF THINKING SKILLS WHICH DEVELOPS IN DURING CHILDHOOD

CREATIVE THINKING

CRITICAL THINKING

TIPS FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS TO DEVELOP THINKING SKILLS IN A CHILD

1. Children should be given an environment in which they can adopt as much and different activities should be conducted in order to develop creativity thinking in them. For example by playing puzzles a child uses and develop his thinking skills.
2. Be flexible with a child.
3. Provide Outdoor facilities to a child.
4. Have a positive attitude/behaviour towards child.
5. Conduct different activities such as painting, illustration and drawing.
6. Conduct different types of IQ/quiz activities in school to judge their skills.
7. Teach facts to a child because a child adopt highest percent of knowledge during his childhood only.
8. Ask a child to read story books and instruct him/her to write review on it.
9. Ask him challenging and logical questions after he reads story books.For example What happened after, how many, who was that, can you name, find the definition of, describe what happened after, who spoke to, which is true or false. these are the remembering questions.
10. Ask him analytical questions foe example similarity and differences
11. Ask him questions for applying for example Which factors would you change if......?
12. Ask him questions for understanding and reasoning for example can you explain why............?
13. Ask him evaluating questions for example is there a better solution to..........?
14. Ask him creativity questions for example can you see a possible solution to ..........?
15. Use effective questioning to develop thinking skills

Provide him/her opportunities for creativity through:-

Encouragement
modeling creative thinking
offering alternatives
open ended tasks
accepting mistake as part of life.



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