As new parents, do You know what your baby is trying to tell you in his unique language? Want to know—this article is for YOU.
Every child is unique. They have their own way of learning—some learn visually, others through touch, taste, and sound. Watch a group of children and you will understand at once what this means. One child will sit and listen patiently, another cannot wait to move and count beads. Another wants you to show her the answer over and over. Children also learn in varied ways depending on their developmental stage. One thing we know is all children love to learn new things by exploring and discovering. Children love to solve problems during play and in daily activities. Depending upon the age of your child, his learning style and personality, your child will have diverse needs. We as parents need to understand them for their best learning experience.
In the first eighteen months after birth, an infant makes miraculous progress. He/she grows at unimaginably fast pace in all sectors of life. In this relatively brief time span, an infant sees her world through her senses. Babies gather information through touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound. Older infants are on the move. They take immense pleasure in discovering what they can do with their voice, hands, feet, and toes. Soon they practice rolling skills, crawling, walking, and other great physical adventures. Through “the eyes of a child,” here is what you might expect during the first eighteen months about their development, internal feelings and needs.
Ist month
What I feel: I can’t support my own head and I’m awake about one hour in every ten (though it may seem more).
What I expect from you: I need holistic nourishment, a warm place to sleep, hugs and kisses, and to hear your loving voice. It is not too early to sing or read to me. The more you talk and introduce different things to me, the more I learn.
3-5months:
What I think: My hands and feet fascinate me. I have started cooing. I enjoy listening to you
What should you do- Talk to me, feed me, and sing to me. Start telling me the stories. I am not too young.
5-8months:
What I am capable of – I may be able to roll over and sit with support. I can hold my own toys. I babble and am alert for two hours at a time. I can eat food other than breast milk only. Put toys just out of my reach and I will try to reach them. I like to see what I look like and what I am doing.
What I Need: Make sure I’m safe as I’m learning to crawl. I need happy sounds, and I like to be near you. Teach me everything what you want. If you are talking, I am eagerly listening and learning at a fast pace.
9-11months
What I’m Like: I’m busy! I like to explore everything! I crawl, sit, pull on furniture, grasp objects, and understand simple commands. Big caution—I need 24*7 bodyguard for loving supervision .I like to be with other babies, and I react to their happiness and sadness.
What you must do: I need locks on cabinets with medicines, household cleaners, or other dangerous things. Put away small sharp objects. I need touches, nutritious food, and your presence to keep me busy.
12-15 months
What I’m Like: I may be able to pull myself up and sidestep around furniture. I may begin walking. I make lots of sounds and say “Mama” and “Dada.” I’m curious about flowers, ants, grass, stones, bugs, and dirt. I like to get messy, cause that’s how I learn. My fingers want to touch everything. I like to play near others close to my age but not always with them. If I’m walking, please walk at my pace.
What you should ensure: I need lots of cuddling and encouragement. I need a safe place to move around as I will be getting into anything I can get my hands on. Read to me again and again. Sing our favourite songs. Give me freedom to do most things—until I need help. But I really need your loving supervision 24*7.
15-18 months
What I’m Like: I like to eat with a spoon, even if I spill. And I will spill, spill, spill. I will explore everything high and low. By eighteen months I can walk well by myself, although I fall quite a lot. I may jump. I say lots of words, especially the word “mine”—because everything is mine! I like it when we play outside or go to a park. I like being with other children. I try to take off my shoes and socks. I like to build with blocks.
What I Need: Let me touch things. Let me try new things with your help if I need it. I need firm limits and consistency. Please give me praise. The more you talk with me, the earlier I will tell you how I feel and what I need. I need you to observe me and to understand why I’m upset or mad. I need your understanding and patience. I love to listen the stories/songs in your melodious sound again and again.
These are just a brief guideline for new parents. Rest they must observe their baby and communicate with him, soon they will start understanding themselves and that is the essence of parenting journey.
