Child Development and Positive Parenting : Infants & Toddlers

by CDC

Infants (0-1 year old)

Developmental Milestones

Cognitive development for your baby means the learning process of memory, language, thinking and reasoning. Your baby is learning to recognize the sound of your voice. She is also learning to focus her vision from the periphery or the corner of her eyes to the center. Language development is more than uttering sounds ("babble"), or mama/dada.

Listening, understanding, and knowing the names of people and things are all components of language development. During this stage, your baby is also developing bonds of love and trust with you. The way you cuddle, hold, and play with your baby will set the basis for how he will interact with you and others.

Positive Parenting

• Talk to your baby. It is soothing to hear your voice.
• When your baby makes sounds, answer him by repeating and adding words. This will help him learn to use language.
• Read to your baby. This helps her develop and understand language and sounds.
• Sing to your baby.
• Play music. This helps your baby develop a love for music and math.
• Praise your baby and give him lots of loving attention.
• Spend time cuddling and holding your baby. This helps her feel cared for and secure.
• The best time to play with your baby is when he's alert and relaxed. Watch your baby closely for signs of being tired or fussy so that you can take a break.
• Parenting can be hard work! Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is easier to enjoy your new baby and be a positive, loving parent when you are feeling good yourself.

Child Safety First

Now that your newborn is at home, it is time to make sure that your home is a safe place. Look around your home for household items that might present a possible danger to your baby. As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that you create a safe environment for your baby. It is also important that you take the necessary steps to make sure that you are mentally and emotionally ready for your new baby. Here are a few tips to keep your baby safe during her first year of life.

It is important that you never shake your newborn baby. Newborn babies have very weak neck muscles that are not yet able to support their heads. If you shake your baby you can damage his brain and delay normal development.

To prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), it is recommended that you always put your baby to sleep on her back. For more information on SIDS, visit National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Place your baby in a car safety seat every time he rides in the car. The safest place for his safety seat is in the back seat of the car. Children who are less than one year OR are less than 20 pounds should be placed in a rear-facing care seat.

To prevent your baby from choking, cut her food into small bites. Don't allow your baby to play with anything that may cover her face or is easy for her to swallow. Never carry hot liquids or food near your baby or while holding him.

Immunizations (shots) are important to protect your child's health and safety. Because children are susceptible to many potentially serious diseases, it is important that your child receive the proper immunizations. Please consult your local health care provider to ensure that your child is up-to-date on her childhood immunizations. You may visit the CDC immunization website, to obtain a copy of the recommended immunization schedule for U.S. children .

Toddlers (1-2 years old)

Developmental Milestones

During this time, your child is becoming increasingly more mobile, and aware of himself and his surroundings. Her desire to explore new objects and people is also increasing. During this stage, your toddler will show greater independence, begin to show defiant behavior, recognize himself in pictures or a mirror, and imitate the behavior of others, especially adults and older children.

Your toddler will also be able to recognize names of familiar people and objects, form simple phrases and sentences, and follow simple instructions and directions

Positive Parenting

• Keep reading to your toddler daily.
• Ask her to find objects for you or name body parts and objects.
• Play matching games with your toddler.
• Encourage him to explore and try new things.
• Help to develop your toddler's language by talking with her.
• Encourage your toddler's curiosity and ability to recognize common objects by taking field trips together to the park or a bus ride.

Child Safety First

As your child is becoming increasingly mobile, his ability to encounter more dangers is increasing as well. Here are a few recommendations to help keep your growing toddler safe.

• Block off stairs with a small gate or fence. Lock doors to dangerous places such as the garage or basement.
• Toddler proof your home by placing plug covers on all unused electrical outlets.
• Keep kitchen appliances, irons, and heaters from the reach of your toddler. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
• Keep sharp objects such as scissors and pens in a safe place.
• Lock up medicines, household cleaners and poisons.
• Never leave her alone in the car, even for a few moments.
• Store any guns in a safe place out of his reach.

About the Author

www.cdc.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the 13 major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is the principal agency in the United States government for protecting the health and safety of all Americans and for providing essential human services, especially for those people who are least able to help themselves.