Killing The Breeze Is Watchin: Ma I Got This
Ma I Got This
Every child develops at their own pace. But we can make general predictions about the leaps in understanding a child goes through as they grow.
Newborn to Three Months
Babies love mom’s high-pitched voice and turn towards it. If you stick out your tongue at them, they’ll copy you.
They don’t understand they can make things happen. At six weeks, they don’t realize that people exist when they are not with them. They don’t even understand that you are the same person every time you are with them. Strangers are not frightening.
Three to Six Months
They can make things happen. They know where they stop and everything else begins, realizing that even if two toys are touching that doesn’t make them one.
They can categorize. Show them six pictures of cats and watch the surprise when the seventh picture is of a dog. They love seeing lots of reflections; however, by five months this may be upsetting as by then they knows there should only be one of people.
By six months they will be happily reaching, grabbing, banging and exploring toys with their mouths. They use shape, texture and color to tell what they are. They understand that a toy they hold is one they previously saw.
Seven to Nine Months
They now know their name. They are becoming uneasy with strangers and unfamiliar places.
They are able to make plans. They can decide, for example, to crawl over to dad or have another look at what’s under the table. Toys are more likely to be used correctly.
They may copy things they saw you do yesterday. If they learn a new trick, they’ll be keen to try it out elsewhere. They don’t understand hide-and-seek yet.
Nine to 12 Months
They cling to people and cry when they leave upset because they have figured out that they exist even when they can’t see them. If they see themselves in the mirror, they won’t realize that the reflection is of them.
They make meaningful noises, which will become first words. Their behavior seems more planned and they’re better at anticipating what will happen.
12 to 18 months
They tell you what they want with a mixture of words and actions. They can copy actions as well, especially those they see everyday. They may even imitate something they saw you doing last week.
Faced with a problem they try one solution and then another. If something is lost or hidden, they’re able to search for it systematically.
18 to 24 months
They’re nearly two and starting to put words together. They can sometimes work things out in their heads, solving a problem without resorting to trial and error. They search for things where they left them, and can pretend and imitate.
Affectionate and loving, they can also be cranky, difficult and unrealistic about what they can do. Their frustration spills out into tantrums, and they cling in strange situations.
At 18 months, they may not mind other children playing with their toys, but by two they snatch them back. They like to be with other children, but don’t really play unless they are older. They cannot “put themselves in someone else’s shoes”. If hitting does not hurt them, they assume it doesn’t hurt anyone. And if they bang into a chair, they’ll say the chair hurt them.
At 18 months if you put something on their forehead and sit in front of a mirror, they will wipe the mirror. At 21 months, they recognize “that’s me” and wipes their forehead. Their memory is improving and they notice if you miss a page in their book.
