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.
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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.