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Parenting isn’t a linear process. It comes with many parenting tactics and strategies, molded according to the child’s age and stage of development. Hence, it’s important that you fully understand each developmental stage so that you can best cater to your child’s specific needs at a particular age.
Infant Development
As an infant, your child will go through several physical and social developmental processes. Apart from growing physically every day and displaying visible changes in their appearance, they’ll also respond differently during the many stages of infancy.
For instance, at three months, they’ll be aware of their hands and feet and show alertness for a few minutes as you talk to them. At 5 months, they may be able to sit with support or roll over. By the time they reach their first birthday, they’ll be capable of making many sounds and will probably be able to recognize immediate family members.
Toddler Development
While parents are often terrified of the “terrible twos”, toddlerhood is not quite as scary as it appears to be. From 12 months till they’re about 3 years old, your child will undergo a new phase of development where they’ll be learning something new every day. Whether it’s through taking their first steps, saying their first word, recognizing objects, or learning how to ask for things, toddlers develop new-found independence and relish in it.
This is also why you’re likely to witness a lot more tantrums, stubbornness, mood swings, and conflict of interests on their part. Their social interactions aren’t quite sophisticated at this stage, and they may resort to yelling, hitting, or being aggressive. The important thing to remember at this stage is that this too, shall pass!
The Preschool Years
Between the ages of 3 and 5, your child will be attending preschool. Among the many things they’ll be learning during this stage are how to verbalize their emotions, be kind and patient, assess their relationships, and socialize with other children. In addition to this, preschoolers are also susceptive to learning how to read, understanding simple math, and improving their motor skills.
That said, special emphasis should be given to their playtime here as well. Make-believe play in particular helps them explore their own creativity and promotes their interest in various fields such as arts & crafts, music, science, and sports. Playing with other children their age also enhances their socialization skills and helps in language development.
School-Going Days
Once they’ve crossed the preschool stage, your child is officially ready for school. At this point, they’ve already experienced a semi-formal classroom setting at their preschool, and thus the transition to attending grade school regularly is a lot smoother. As a school-going child, your kid will have the social skills needed to schedule longer playdates and sleepovers, and may prefer hanging out with a particular friend more than the others.
Your child will still need plenty of supervision, guidance, and reassurance, but less than they did as a preschooler. They’ll also be more independent and confident in their own abilities.
The extensive range of childcare programs offered by Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy helps enhance child development throughout the different stages.
To learn more about our daycare preschool and toddler care center in Oviedo, Florida, call our team at 407-366-2100!