In the last 8 months and in related to recent blogs I read, Child Development and Milestones are the hot issues among the educators and parents. Is there right and wrong way in ensuring that children reach the milestones?
As a first-time mother, I believed that every stage must be met on schedule in according to the child's age. From first hand experience, I realized that every child differs in when he or she is ready to achieve a new skill.
I met some educators and/or parents who believe that children should or should not reach a goal until he/she is at this precise age. I find this unreasoning, because individual child has his or her own motivation and interest.
Now I would like to encourage you to promote achievements by observing what interests the child/ren. If the child shows that he/she is interested in walking, praise is the next important task that you can do for your children in either home or classroom. Praise is an encouraging reinforcement. Talk to your child in a praising manner--good job, way to go, you can do it, "yay" in addition to applause, hugs, and kisses.
If a child struggles with a particular skill, do not force. Try to nudge the child to try by showing how he or she can achieve the skill. Or, demonstrate the movement. Sometimes children need to see the adults mastering the task. If that fails, do not worry excessive about not meeting the certain skill. Sometimes children return to the skill when he/she is ready and achieves it.
Last thing, it is important to encourage children to develop milestones independently as much as possible. We want children to self-direct their readiness to success at a task. We do not want them to become dependent on us. They need to have confidence in themselves.
Below are many resources available to educate yourselves about how to ensure that child/ren are achieving their milestones.
http://www.babycenter.com/0_what-every-baby-needs-to-thrive_6600.bc?page=1
http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/growth/developmental-milestones-age-two/
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002011.htm
For age 3 to 5
http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/NR/rdonlyres/676DD433-449C-4A26-B364-0936353CBE4E/24408/IPSC_eng_35.pdf
Developmental Screen Tools:
http://www.medicalhomeinfo.org/downloads/pdfs/DPIPscreeningtoolgrid.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/checklists/all_checklists.pdf
Hi Chrissy! I enjoyed reading your post! First time mothers can get swept up in the hype of my child did if first! Babies all develop at their own pace and when you are seeing a pediatrician, he/she will let you know when to be concerned. Otherwise, I agree with your post that praising and being a role model in the child's life. Children in poverty do not necessarily have the things that a child who does not live in poverty. Parents who live in poverty may not be able to go to the pediatrician and they may not be able to compare that child with others. This would pose a problem because there may be unsuspected delays. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteYes, I do agree that poverty impacts on the resources available to the parents and children.
DeleteAs a mother of 3, I know that children progress and adjust at different stages. Additionally, they have different learning styles. I do believe there are time frames that have been scientifically established that are great warning signals if a child has not attained certain skills within those time frames. As teacher, we find there are students that are below grade level, some are on grade level, and there are some that are above. We have to meet them where they are and help them to advance from that point.
ReplyDeleteR. Kenny
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am not a mother but to be one soon. I am so anxious about the whole process... LOL. I am not even with child and I am already trying to think of ways to help my future child flourish and accomplish milestones. I think that your advice is great- Relax, let your child develop in his/her timing, dont force it but help to encourage it. Thanks for the tip :)
ReplyDeleteChrissy,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post. As a mother of two young boys, I have learned that children develop in different ways. My oldest son potty trained at the age of 3 in about three days time; however, my youngest is a little more stubborn. He just turned three yesterday and he is still having a difficult time with it. Like you stated, if a child has difficulty, modeling and encouragement is the best way to teach them. All children are capable of learning, just not on the same day or in the same way. It take creativity and patience on the part of the parent and/or educator in order to ensure that our children achieve milestones and praise them when they reach their goal! Being an educator and a parent is a learning process that never ends. That is what makes it so interesting and rewarding!