Child Development Archives - Page 63 of 63

August 18, 2017

Second Language: Should My Child Know More Than One?

One of the most common reasons parents choose not to introduce a second language to their child is that it is pointless because they will “never become fluent.” While it’s understandable where this kind of thinking comes from, this reason shouldn’t deter you from immersing your children into other cultures and languages.

There are so many benefits to introducing a second language to your little ones that it would be silly not to if we’re being honest.

Learning a second language encourages open-mindedness

While learning a second language, it is natural to be curious about the cultures of the language’s native speakers. This opens up an opportunity for them to learn about where the language originated, who speaks the language and the everyday lives of native-speaking people.

This can also be a learning opportunity for you as the parent. Let’s say your little one has been introduced to Mandarin Chinese. You can take this opportunity to learn about Chinese traditions like the Chinese New Year together, or you can find a traditional Chinese recipe and cook up a yummy oriental dish together.

When someone is immersed in cultures apart from their own, they spend less time “judging a book by its cover,” and more time being accepting of others who are different from them.

Children who speak a second language have an easier time focusing than others

Studies have shown that knowing more than one language positively affects your brain’s ability to focus on a task and tune out other distractions. This makes sense considering how you have to pay close attention while learning the second language to get pronunciation and grammar correct.

Switching between your native language and your second language also requires paying close attention, so you don’t accidentally mix up the two languages and say or write something that makes no sense.

Learning a second language at a young age increases fluency

Studies have shown that toddlers learn faster than older kids and adults. This makes the ages 0-5 the prime age range to introduce a second language to your little ones. It has also been found that children who are introduced to a second language early on can develop a “native accent” to their second language.

There are several ways to help your child learn a new language even if it isn’t your personal strong suit. You can typically find classes for your little ones at several organizations in your area. When choosing a class, it is important to look for the following:

Is the class taught by a native speaker?
Is the class interactive and engaging?
How long does it last and what is the teacher/child ratio?

Another great way to ensure they learn a new language is to find ways to implement it at home. This could be anything from labeling household items you use every day to reading books in said language and even arranging for your little one to have a penpal from a country that speaks the language they are trying to learn.

Like anything your child will learn, it is important to make sure you continue the teachings while at home. This will ensure that they know and understand fully what it is they are learning. It can also be pretty encouraging when you’re on the sidelines cheering them on and trying to help them every step of the way!

August 14, 2017

What to Expect: Age 2

This year your older baby will transform into a toddler. They will go from being dependent on you to demanding independence. This year your child will have much slower growth physically compared to the previous year however their mind will grow exponentially. Their play will begin to evolve into imaginative play, and they may become enthusiastic at the presence of other children. Your child will begin to observe you and other adults in their life, mimicking your habits and actions. They may pretend to text or talk on a phone. They may repeat words they hear in conversation or mimic someone’s body language. At this age, your child is excellent at mimicking those around them. They will also throw tantrums when they do not get what they want. This year can be frustrating but also fun and exciting as well.

Social and Emotional Development

As your child develops, they will begin to engage with others socially, even recognizing the presence of other children when playing. They may play parallel, or alongside, other children. They may also participate in chasing games or kicking a ball with others. This is the year that imaginative play begins and they enjoy putting on dad’s shoes or carrying a purse around like mom. Your child will also be defiant at times, doing things they were told not to, such as opening an off-limits cabinet. Your child will crave independence, insisting that they do tasks by themselves even if they do it incorrectly. They may pick out their own clothes and attempt to tie their own shoes. Social and emotional development will become more complex as they learn about relationships, strangers and their involvement with other children. This year your child’s personality will blossom, and you will find yourself amused by the clever things they do as they explore the world.

Language Development

This year your child will continue to develop language. Their vocabulary will explode, going from an average of 50 words at two years old to over 200 as they approach the age of 3. They will be able to string together two-word phrases at the beginning of the year, eventually growing to four-word sentences. They may begin to use plurals (dogs) as well as pronouns such as me and you. They will likely start to ask “What’s that?” or “Why?” as they learn more about the world. They will also understand the words of everyday objects or people and they will be able to point out objects when asked such as ball or toes. They will be able to complete simple instructions such as “Put the book on the table.” They may even be able to complete two step instructions such as “Put the book on the table and give me your shoes.” Your child’s vocabulary and understanding of language will improve every day. By the end of the year, you should be able to understand most of what they are saying and possibly even have back and forth conversations.

Cognitive Development

Your child’s understanding of object permanence will improve as they will look for items buried in two or three blankets. They may begin to experience separation anxiety however it is typically a temporary phase. They may sort items in categories such as shapes, colors or sizes. Your child may be able to recite sentences in a favorite book or sing familiar nursery rhymes. They will begin to favor one hand over the other which will likely indicate what their dominant hand will be. Your child will be able to build a tower of four or more blocks, and they may enjoy knocking it over and then rebuilding it. They may play simple make believe games such as feeding a baby doll or racing matchbox cars. Your child will also be able to name items in a book such as shoes or flower. This year your child’s brain will grow even more complex than ever before, allowing them to participate in more complicated games, conversations and activities.

Movement and Physical Development

Your child will be walking on their own if they aren’t already and by the end of the year they will likely be running to destinations rather than walking. As their gross motor skills improve, they will be able to climb on and off furniture without assistance as well as jump on two feet without difficulty. They may also be able to balance on one foot for a short period of time. Your child will be able to stand on their tip toes as well as kick a ball. As their balance and control improve, they will be able to walk up and down stairs while holding onto a rail and they may even alternate their feet.

They will also be able to throw a ball overhand as well as attempt to catch it when it is thrown back to them. As their fine motor skills improve, they will be able to scribble spontaneously as well as draw lines or shapes. They will also likely begin to insist that they brush their own teeth, pull up their own pants and brush their own hair. Your child will also begin to turn on the sink to wash their hands as well as attempt to zip a zipper or close snaps. They may also begin to hold utensils and crayons with their fingers instead of with a fist although the hold will still need improvement.

Conclusion

As your small baby grows into an active toddler, they will start to be more physically active. They will insist that they do tasks on their own and they will begin to test boundaries to see what happens. Tantrums will begin as they form opinions and independence and you may find them acting defiant frequently. They will begin to ask questions about their surroundings, and they will begin to mimic those around them. Their growth this year will be drastic as they begin to develop into an independent young child. Your child’s development from a helpless infant to an opinionated active toddler will be dramatic. This year may feel grueling at times however it will be rewarding as you begin to hold conversations with them and learn more about their blossoming personality.

August 12, 2017August 23, 2025

The Lasting Impact of the Early Childhood Years

The early years of a child’s life are the most important as they lay the foundation for the remainder of their life. As a young child grows and matures, it is the interactions they have with the adults in their life that dictate their mental growth. Being fed, cuddled, warm and safe have a tremendous impact on the child’s future success and happiness. Positive interactions help form the stepping stones for the brain which allows for greater intelligence and a healthy mind.

Negative interactions (i.e. neglect) however can harm the development of the brain as well as emotionally scar a child. Through interactions with caregivers and parents, a child learns how to deal with disappointment, anger, frustration, and sadness. The early childhood years are some of the most critical as the child is the most vulnerable and depends on caregivers to meet their needs. If these needs are not met, harm to the development of the child will occur which causes damage to the developing brain as well as emotional immaturity and poor mental health.

Basic Needs

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs dictates that the first few years of a child’s life are centered around the basic needs being met. Being fed, warm, clothed, and safe causes the first two stages (Physiological and Safety) to be fulfilled successfully and the child feels secure. When the child has their basic needs met, they emotionally develop properly. When these basic needs are not met, the child may struggle with addiction, mental health problems or other problems in their future. Having the basic needs fulfilled in early childhood will assist in the healthy development of the child. Once these basic stages are met, the child is able to move on to the next stage of emotional development. If these needs are not met, the child will stay in the first stages until they are fulfilled.

Growth of the Brain

As a child grows, their brain develops rapidly with the fastest growth spurt occurring during the first five years. As the command center of the body, the brain is the only organ not to be fully developed at birth although when born, a baby has all of the brain cells, or neurons, that they will have for the rest of their life. It is the connections between these cells that are formed as the baby develops. While their brain grows and matures, new pathways are formed which allows the child to think and move in more complex ways.

Parents and caregivers who give attention, respond and interact with their child are literally building the child’s brain. Positive interactions such as singing, laughing or talking to a baby causes these pathways to form properly whereas negative interactions such as abuse or neglect can stop these pathways from forming properly or from forming at all. The interactions the child experiences in the early years of childhood affect the growth and maturity of their brain which impacts them for the rest of their life.

Social and Emotional Growth

While a baby becomes a toddler, they continue to grow socially and emotionally. Through temper tantrums, friends, discipline and other events, the child begins to understand their own emotions as well as other’s emotions. The early years impacts their ability to maintain relationships, empathize with others, cooperate, have patience and how to interact with others as well as many other important skills. Learning to problem solve, receive help, follow directions and show affection are all things that a child learns in the early years of development. These important skills are all developed by way of interactions with parents and caregivers. If these skills are not learned properly, the child will likely struggle with emotional and social development.

Coping with Negative Emotions

The early years of childhood can be stressful to the child as with anything, childhood has ups and downs. With the help of an adult, a young child can learn how to manage these situations healthily. Stress, frustration, disappointment, and anger are all intense feelings which children learn to manage in their early childhood years. Learning how to cope with these negative emotions will teach the child how to manage them healthily. Without healthy emotional interactions with adults, a child may suffer from mental health problems as well as poor development emotionally.

The early years of childhood also teach self-regulation which is control of one’s own emotions. Learning how to self-regulate one’s emotions is critical in adulthood, and a person will struggle if they do not have proper development. A child may become enraged that someone took a toy from them and a parent will help them in calming down which teaches them how to self-regulate their emotions. Children also learn self-regulation by observing the adults in their life practice self-regulation. Parents and caregivers show the child how to react to disappointment, anger, stress, and sadness which teaches them how to react when they experience these emotions.

Conclusion

As a child grows, their greatest teacher is their parent and caregivers. The adults in their life help form the framework of the brain which impacts them for the rest of their life. Through interactions, the child learns how to react emotionally and socially which lays the groundwork for their emotional and social development. Instances such as playing and talking create new neurons while also assisting in the development of social and emotional growth. Experiences such as war or abuse can stunt the growth of the brain as well as cause poor development socially and emotionally.

When a child’s basic needs are met, they are able to move on to the next phase of needs emotionally; although if the basic needs are not met, they may forever be scarred. By observing and learning, a child will develop a sense of security as well as social and emotional development. Parents and caregivers are the child’s first teacher, and it is through playing, talking, encouragement and support that the child is given the groundwork for a healthy, successful life.

August 11, 2017

5 Tips to Discipline a Toddler

Attempting to discipline a toddler can be a difficult task. It can be difficult to know how much they truly understand and it is important to stay within the realm of their emotional development. Using a positive discipline method will help children to develop their own self-discipline, responsibility, cooperation, and problem-solving skills. It is important to remember that punishment and discipline are two different things and punishment does not work.

Be kind but firm

When you discipline a child, it is important to be kind but firm. You want to be respectful of his or her feelings and encourage them to meet your behavior expectations. Remember that being kind is not being permissive. Being kind means that you show respect to the child and to yourself. Make sure you validate their feelings but have faith that they can get over a disappointment.

Many people mistakenly believe that being firm means the same as punishment or giving a lecture, but this is not so. Being firm goes hand in hand with being kind. Acknowledge the feelings of the child but still set the limits that you intend.

Phrases that are kind but firm:

It will be your turn soon.
I know you can help to think of a solution.
I know you can say that in a way that is respectful.

Make the child feel connected

Children want to belong and feel significant. Punishing a child for their behavior will not give the child a sense of connectedness with you. Children will behave better when they have a sense of belonging because they are learning to respect you and the limits that you have set.

Children thrive when you can show empathy without condoning bad behavior. They want you to understand how they feel in a situation so show empathy and share your own feelings and perceptions. Help the child to find a solution so that that will have an idea of how to deal with similar situations in the future.

Make sure it will be effective long-term

Punishment may have an immediate effect but the lesson will soon be forgotten, and the punishment can cause long-term damage to the child. Punishment simply teaches children that misbehavior is ok, as long as you don’t get caught. Positive discipline helps a child to grow and develop empathy while solving his own problems.

Teach valuable social and life skills

Explain to your child that it is okay to make mistakes as long as a lesson is learned from them. It is a life skill to be able to recognize that a mistake has been made and then apologize for it and work on a solution. Children who are punished as opposed to disciplined are not learning the social and life skills that they need to behave appropriately.

Time out

A time out can be a useful tool if you first teach a child the value of having a period of reflection and time alone to sort out feelings. Time out should not be sitting in a corner but rather a time to go and sit and do something reflective. Allow the child to choose a time out spot and a quiet activity as a way to wind down and refocus.

Remember that toddlers are just learning the skills it will take to interact with others and show empathy. You can help teach them these skills through the use of positive discipline and help them grow and develop into a kind and caring contributor to society.

August 9, 2017

How to Identify Early Signs of Autism

The possibility of their child having an Autism Spectrum Disorder is a concern for many parents. As a child develops they begin to learn social skills, vocabulary and other capabilities which are vital to their communication and growth. A parent’s concern is valid considering that 1 in 45 children between the ages of 1 and 17 are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Not developing certain areas of growth typically begins at a young age. However, it is possible to identify Autism in children as young as six months old. As a baby matures into a toddler, there are often signs of Autism which may not be obvious immediately. When examined by psychiatrists, children with Autism typically began to show signs and symptoms as infants or toddlers. Knowing that a child has Autism is the first step toward treatment.

Early intervention therapies and procedures can make a massive impact on the progression of the disorder. The earlier a child can get into treatment, the better, which is why early detection is key in the treatment of Autism. It can be difficult to decipher whether a behavior is simply a behavior or a symptom of Autism. While there is no a blood test or physical exam that can determine if a child has Autism, there are psychological evaluations which can detect the disorder. There are also small clues which may help parents and caregivers identify symptoms of Autism in a child. Looking for these red flags while a child develops could result in early detection of Autism which would lead to early intervention.

Not smiling or having little facial expression

One of the first social skills a baby learns is facial expressions. As their parent bonds with them, the baby will begin to mimic the parent’s facial expression. Often this leads to big dramatic smiles and laughs. However, should a child not mimic facial expressions or otherwise smile and laugh, it may be cause for concern. When a child with Autism is developing, there is no abnormal development occurring but rather a lack of development in certain areas. A person with Autism often has limited facial expressions and does not react to others facial expressions. Lacking facial expressions is not the sole indicator of Autism although it is deemed as a red flag for early detection.

Not making eye contact

Infants will often follow objects with their eyes including their parent as they walk across a room. If the parent moves closer to the baby, it is instinctual for the baby to make eye contact. This interaction would typically end with a smile or laugh from the child. However, an infant with Autism might not follow their parent around the room as intently, and they would likely avoid eye contact once the parent was up close. One theory is that eye contact is aversive or painful to a person that has Autism, while it is possible that those with Autism simply deem eye contact as unimportant or not instinctual. Nonetheless, eye contact is a major part of human social development and lacking the instinct to make eye contact with other people may be an early indicator of Autism.

Not babbling

An infant learning to make sounds will begin with simple sounds with no real meaning or babbling. As they develop, the babbling (“da”) slowly turns into sounds with meaning (“dada”) which eventually transform into words (“daddy”). As the baby transitions to verbal communication, they begin to make demands verbally, call objects by name and identify people. Babbling is the precursor to developed speech and is essential to further speech progression. Should this process fail to develop or should the child regress and begin to lose vocabulary, Autism may be present. An infant’s babble is the first step towards language development, and if a child is not babbling by 12 months of age, it could be cause for concern. It is important to have a hearing test done to rule out the possibility of a hearing impairment. While the lack of speech by itself may not indicate Autism, it should be brought to their doctor’s attention.

Not pointing

As a baby develops into a toddler, they will begin to desire specific toys, people, foods or objects. At first, a baby may simply wave his hand in the direction of the desired item, and over time he will develop the motor control to point at desired objects. Children with Autism typically do not point or gesture toward desired objects. A typically developed child may even verbally attempt to say the name of the object while a child with Autism likely does not react to the object at all. Children with Autism typically do not react as enthusiastically to their environment as neurotypically developed children do. A lack of gestures toward desired items is not enough to diagnose a child Autism however it is an early warning sign of the disorder.

Not responding to their name

As a baby develops they will learn their name, and they will react to their name being called by eye contact, turning their head, making gestures or making sounds. A child with Autism likely will not react at all. Even when a parent attempts to get their attention in other ways, the child with Autism will appear to ignore the parent. Responding to your given name is socially important in society as it will give others a way to get your attention. A child with Autism will appear to ignore attempts to get their attention whether it is by calling their name, clapping or other gestures and sounds. This alone is not an indicator of Autism although it is a possible symptom should the child be diagnosed.

Avoiding physical touch

It is unclear why a person with Autism avoids physical touch although it is believed to be physically painful for them. A baby or toddler will desire cuddles and hugs from their family. They will search for physical affection and desire close contact with their parents. A child with Autism will likely avoid physical contact with people. They will move away from hands attempting to touch them, and they will wiggle their way out of a hug. They likely will not initiate any form of physical contact, and if they do, it is brief and rare. Avoiding physical touch can be found in infants that do not enjoy being held and toddlers that do not seek out cuddles or hugs. This early indication of Autism can be found in young children as early as nine months old. Being touched is often desired although the lack of desire may indicate the possibility of Autism.

Doesn’t show interest in other children

A toddler without Autism is likely to interact with other children. He/she will likely babble or talk to the other children, touch them, show them toys, attempt to take toys from them and otherwise engage in play time with them. A child with Autism will likely appear to ignore the other children and will appear to be in “their own little world.” Neurotypical children are naturally social and desire interaction with others. A child with Autism appears not to have that desire and instead appears to be content by themselves. When presented with a social situation, a child with Autism is likely to shy away from others or ignore them altogether. A lack of social interaction with others is not alone an indicator of Autism, but it is a symptom.

Conclusion

Early detection is key in improving the prognosis of the child with Autism. Learning these symptoms and watching out for them could mean early detection and intervention. When given early intervention, children with Autism can improve tremendously and the earlier they are in treatment, the better. Early detection is life changing for someone with Autism. These symptoms are small and seemingly insignificant, but they are the first signs of Autism. Some children may develop slower than others however if they fall too far behind, it is a good idea to seek medical treatment. Furthermore, if a child has developed a skill such as speech, and then they regress, it should be brought to their doctor’s attention as soon as possible. Autism Spectrum Disorders can be intimidating, scary and at times devastating. However, with tools such as early intervention and therapy, a person with Autism can improve greatly.

August 8, 2017

9 Ways to Positively Impact Your Kid’s Language Development

Learning to talk is an important milestone in the development of any child. Spoken language allows children to verbalize their emotions and communicate their needs. However, for new parents figuring out how to help their child develop language skills may be a mystery. In this piece, we will discuss the nine ways that you can positively impact your child’s language development.

Talk through common Count the steps while walking down the stairs. Ask your child to lift their bottom or turn their body while changing their diaper. Describe what you are doing when you change their clothes. The words attached to everyday things will be the first words a child says.
Read books to them. Books provide a language that a child might not hear during everyday It’s a good way to bond with your child since you will either hold them or sit directly in front of them. When sitting directly in front of them, make sure to make eye contact when asking questions. This helps with eye contact in the future, and the child sees how you move your mouth when you speak.
Go on conversation rhymes. Walks are a great way to provide positively impact your child’s language development, so try walking around the neighborhood, at zoos or local farms. While walking, describe the people, places, and things that you encounter.
Enunciate your words. This makes a difference in the quality of words children will produce. This will help your child to register what you are saying more easily. The speed should still sound somewhat natural.
Sing nursery songs. These songs are catchy and easy for your child to remember.
Speak in short, simple sentences. When you speak in simpler sentences, a child is more likely to repeat it and understand it. This should not be done when having regular conversations. This is so that your child can repeat after you so only use this strategy when you are expecting a response.
Use Apps that label like Puzzingo. The app is one with lots of puzzles that children line up. While the child picks up the picture piece, the application voices the label. Every time the puzzle is completed, there is some sort of reward.
Do hands on projects. When doing hands on projects, make sure to label everything. Remember, when something is fun, it’s more memorable. When there are various senses used, the brain gets an opportunity to process the information. This is great for storing information into long term memory.
Take picture walks through books. Instead of just reading books, talk through the pictures.

Can you think of any additional ways that you can positively impact your child’s language development?

August 8, 2017

7 Amazing Learning Activities for Toddlers

When we think of toddlers, many thoughts come to mind. Runny noses, messy hair, picky eating are just some of the traits we relate to this curious age group.

Cognitively, there’s so much more than what meets the eye. Fine and gross motor skills are being acquired, and an overall sense of the world and the relationships within it are being developed. So how do we support the amazing evolution of the toddler?

Here are 7 great activities to help your toddler learn:

Sand table play– Sand play strengthens sensory development and basic science and math skills through scooping, pouring and early forms of measuring.
Independent book exploration– Allowing time for your child to look at books on their own develops an appreciation for books and literacy as well as gives practice in turning pages.
Making play dough– A homemade recipe of flour, water, salt and food coloring is an excellent way to practice following instructions as well as understanding sequence. In making play dough, a child is exposed to mixing, measuring and pouring in a specific order to create a finished moldable product.
Hoop jumping– With a few hula hoops lined along the ground, toddlers can gain gross motor practice in jumping from one hoop to the next. This activity helps strengthen muscles and coordination in landing their feet at the same time from one hoop hop to the next. For a bigger challenge, spread the hoops further apart for an increased
Painting with primary colors– Utilizing the primary colors of red, blue and yellow are not only fun for a painting activity, but it also is an excellent way to observe color changes and verbally identify each color that it creates.
Cardstock paper structures– This thick paper can be folded by toddlers for fine motor practice to create art structures. Using scissors or a tearing method to cut the paper into smaller pieces and tape to hold them together by building “up” a structure is a stimulating introduction to age appropriate engineering.
Salad spinner painting– Toddlers are invited to add drops of paint onto a coffee filter. Place the coffee filter into the salad spinner with the lid and begin to spin. This activity produces open ended art and gives toddlers practice in with fine motor in using their hands to turn the salad spinner.

Can you think of any additional activities?