Child Development 0-1

Children need boundaries and rules in order to be happy.  They need schedules in order to function.  Start your new baby on a feeding schedule of feeding every 4 hours.  I have found this schedule to be the best to help me sleep during the night:  6:00, 10:00, 2:00, 6:00, 10:00 2:00. 

As a developmental therapist, I studied that there are certain times when typical children are developing.  Typical children may be a month or two off when it comes to crawling and walking.  They may be a few weeks off when it comes to rolling over or sitting up.  Physical therapists are now telling us that babies are kept in “seats” all day by parents or care givers.  The best place for your child to develop is the floor.  It is now called, “Tummy time”.  This is very important for your baby.  First of all, they need to discover the real world from their height.  They can see angles of tables, walls, pictures, windows, furniture etc.  They can discover shading and colors.  As they begin to roll over, and then crawl they discover textures and tastes.  

A baby can begin eating rice cereal as early as 4 months old, and then gradually the caregiver can begin to introduce other bland flavors of ground up fruits and vegetables.  Around the time that the baby turns one, they will have several teeth and may begin to add textures and small bites. From 10 months to 14 months a typical child begins to walk.  Soon after, their language begins.  It is important for caregivers/parents to provide a rich vocabulary at this time for their child.