Child Growth and Development

Child Growth and Development

1. Relationship

The teaching process is dependent on relationships. Trust is important for the formation and maintenance of these relationships. Teachers must have a relationship with the infants and their parents. The interactions that result from the relationships enable me to understand the infants, their behaviors, and their growth processes. These relationships also create a connection to the children. Constant communication with the family members enlightens me about the needs of the infants. This information guides my interactions with the children as well.

2. 2. Play

I learned that play is important for infants. Play tends to occur naturally for children. As a teacher, I must offer playing opportunities. Besides offering opportunities, I must also engage in the play. Engaging in play with children leads the group because they may imitate what I do. Play facilitates learning. It also enables children to achieve various growth milestones. Thus, play is critical for infants because it acts as one way of interacting with the group.

3. Leadership

Leadership is one of the roles that I play as a teacher. Infants, regardless of their age, look up to me for guidance. They follow my lead through imitation. They also tend to lead at times, especially during play. During such times, I follow their lead. The parents also look up to me for leadership, especially when the infants have issues. Their understanding is that I am a professional at dealing with infants. Therefore, they often present their issues with the hope that I will help them manage these issues. Therefore, I realized that the responsibility to lead is greater than I initially thought.

4. Exploration

Exploration is an important aspect that leads to learning. Children are curious and like to find out new things. Their adventurous nature is exhibited during play. Allowing infants to explore their spaces kickstarts the learning process. They touch new things, move in diverse ways, hold varying items, discover new colors and shapes, and experience growth. I understand that I must keep the space safe. The infants’ safety is a key issue that families consider. Therefore, choosing items that enhance exploration and overseeing the process o ensure safety is important for each teacher.

5. Toys

Toys make an essential element of learning. These are support materials for the infants. They not only support the growth and development of children but also enable self-directed exploration. A toy can be passive or active. Passive toys tend to be better because they promote activities. Children who use these toys more tend to develop their motor movements faster than those who use active toys. Active toys entertain infants. In my class, I advocate for passive toys more than active toys.

6. Milestones

Milestones are the stages of development that children go through. The different infants achieve growth milestones at varying rates. Some do so fast while others are slower. Regardless of the pace, the children achieve milestones eventually. These are some of the issues that I discuss with parents. I also noted each infant’s milestone achievement. This information allows me to track their progress. I can identify if any child has delays, which raises the greatest concern.

7. Language

Infants are in a stage that allows them to learn language. Talking with children without using nicknames is important. It builds their brains significantly. Each time I talk to an infant, a new connection in the brain is made. This leads to an understanding of words and new ideas. I utilize exaggerated language (parent-ese), which gets the children excited and lively. I capture their attention using this type of language. I like to mirror the child’s mood when talking to them. When a child is happy, I use a similar tone. Infants are responsive to talk.

8. Interaction

Initially, I found it difficult to interact with children. When I became a teacher, I realized that I could interact with children easily. Infants love music and play. They also respond to encouragement positively. Since then, I have been incorporating songs, encouragement, and play for meaningful interaction. In addition, participating in the play and the singing to make it more fun for the infants. I do this repetitively because children tend to learn more. Each time, I include different objects and images in a song. This keeps the children alert and entertains them.

9. Freedom of movement

Children’s’ free movement offers varied benefits. Infants are inclined to keep moving right from birth. Their spaces should be expansive enough to accommodate movement. It should also be safe enough. Movement is critical for learning. It helps them improve their motor skills, coordination, and strength. It facilitates exploration of their environments. When the baby explores by themselves, they are active. This leads to increased confidence and ability to play independently.

10. Observation

I pause with the intention to observe the infants’ activities, interactions, and engagement with each other. It is through observation that I understand a child’s stage of development. I also understand when they are ready to nap. They give me cues on their eagerness to move about. I understand their interests. I also get to know their frustrations. This allows them to lead the way. My actions thereafter are reactions to their behaviors. Therefore, observation is important for my teaching activities.

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How has what you have learned in this course helped you understand how to better meet the needs of infants in childcare environments?

As you work on your Developmental Observation this week, reflect on how this course has helped to better prepare you to work with infants in the classroom.

Create a list of 10 things that you learned and specifically state how they will help you when working with infants in the classroom. You will receive 10 points for each idea that you express. Please number this assignment from 1 to 10, and be sure to write at least a paragraph (8-10 sentences) for each section.