Exploring “Normal Development”

Every State has a Department of Education where folks can go to and get a Chart of “Normal Development.” Most charts are essentially the same. They are broken down into age groups and explore educational goals for learning. There are also some important emotional and social skills associated with the educational system required of students that are also discussed. By getting this listing, a parent can make an educated guess as to the progress their child is making toward what is considered “Normal Development.” Needless to say, sometimes the skills a child learns at school is not followed up on at home because the structure they are provided at school is also not consistent with the home atmosphere. As a teacher, I cannot tell you how many times a parent would come into the parent-teacher conference and beg me to tell their son or daughter to behave at home. Parenting skill training is available through various social service agencies and can assist in the development of parental skill building necessary to help a child grow cognitively, emotionally and socially fit. Some of the classes can be obtained for no or low cost. Most of society would prefer that a parent admit when they need help and seek it instead of having a horrific accident occur to the child before they admit they needed help! If raised properly, a child’s social skills by the time he or she is at age six include: the ability to choose their own friends, play simple table games, become involved in group activity, help others make decisions by offering on-topic suggestions including helping others make team assignments, and practice fair play. The parent who is unaware may believe, because their child of six has all this ability, that child can be left alone to fend for themselves. They hand them a key for the pool, a baseball or basketball and head for the T.V. Many children left on their own, called "latch key kids", have gotten into trouble or killed due to lack of supervision. It is not uncommon for children to drown unsupervised. It is also not uncommon for a child to be killed by someone backing out of their driveway. These accidents are easily avoidable with adult supervision.

Baby Safety 4-6 months

Babies continue to explore and grow during the first 6 months. Baby needs to be placed in a safe area to roll at about 4 months of age. Teeth start popping out now as well. Baby needs understanding when he/she is miserable. Cool damp cloth, teething rings, or numbing agents available over-the-counter can assist in stopping the pain. Baby needs a soft landing when he/she falls backward when at 5 months, they start to sit up then fall down. Baby loves to toss toys by age 6 months and needs things that will not be damaged when tossed. Preferably an area safe to toss items in as well so he/she will not damage anything of value and cause unhappiness. A playpen filled with soft toys is a good example. Parents need to upgrade their child proofing because baby is cruising, creeping, and crawling to explore by 6 months of age. Baby opens cabinets close to the floor, reaches up to grab things, and he/she might easily pull down dangerous items on top of themselves or crawl into things if not supervised. Babies enjoy looking at themselves in the mirror at this age too. Baby babbles, transfers objects from hand to hand, and puts everything into their mouth. Anything small needs to be moved out of reach. Baby needs to be given safe finger foods to consume and watched to be sure they safely chew their food and do not choke.

Raising a Newborn

As a parent, one of the first responsibilities is to keep your children safe. Everyday of your child’s life will be full of growing, changing and learning. Protection starts before they are born. Once they have arrived in the world, newborns need to be placed in a safe environment, fed, turned frequently, kept warm, and observed to be certain that they are adequately eating, sleeping and breathing. Newborns are totally dependent upon adults for their survival. Newborns should be interacted with and stimulated to grow up strong. Newborns need to be supported when lifted because their head is not fully formed. Newborns begin to explore the crib, gain control of their arm and leg movements, and learn how their fingers work during the first three months of their life. Their bottle should be fed in your arms to provide them proper nutrition, Bottles propped up on objects can cause damage to the teeth and middle ear due to improper drainage. Babies need an interactive parent who talks to them, laughs, sings and hugs them while they eat and explore everything with their eyes.