Infants

Body Movements

Birth to 3 months: Demonstrate a variety of reflex movements for protection and survival such as: turning, rooting, sucking, defensive reactions, etc.

3 to 6 months: Begin to kick feet when prone, plays w/toes, reaches but misses dangling objects, shakes and stares at toy in hand, head self supported when head at shoulder, turns from back to side, sits with props, sits with support, makes effort to sit alone, exhibits crawling behaviors, rocks on all fours, draws knees up and falls forward and Grasp with palm and displays partial use of thumb

6 to 9 months: Sits alone- steadily, crawls, Stands by holding on, creeps, rolls from back to stomach, pulls to standing in crib, by furniture, raises self to sitting posture, successfully reaches and grasps toy, transfers object from on hand to the other, cruises along crib rail, and tries to walk holding on.

9 to 12 months: Exhibits "mature" crawling, cruises holding on to furniture, walks with 2 hands held, sits without falling, stands alone, may walk alone, attempts to crawl up stairs, grasps objects with thumb and forefinger, beginning to gain some deliberate control of movements like crawling, walking, and pincer grasp.

The Inner Child

Birth to 3 months: Emotions of excitement, interest, distress, discomfort, pain, disgust, sadness. They know their mothers by sight and smell, develops a social smile, relaxes with familiar people, sleeps 17-19 hours a day, and establishes emotional attachment with parents

3 to 6 months: Emotions of pleasure, delight, joy and, surprise, anger, wariness, and fear. Develops social laughter, notices and interacts with peers, holds out arms to be held or picked up, plays peek-a-boo, participates in reciprocal social interaction, imitates sounds and gestures and responds differently to familiar and unfamiliar persons

6 to 9 months: Emotions of anger, wariness, fear, formation of stranger and separation anxiety. Starts to become shy with strangers. Develops awareness that objects exist even when no longer visible

9 to 12 months: Emotions of enjoyment and affection, separation anxiety peaks, and have different types of smiles. Starts to play pat-a-cake, waves bye -bye, gives a toy when asked, and negativism begins "No!"

Communication Skills

Birth to 3 months: Communicate by crying. Attends and responds to speaking voice and cooing.

3 to 6 months: Communicates by crying, cooing and eye contact

6 to 9 months: Babbles and utters responses

9 to 12 months: Babbles and makes sounds to gain attention

Sharpening the Senses

Developing the Mind

Critical to infant development is the ability to develop a trust with the adults around them. Through love, affection, and close contact infants develop a trust with their parents and teachers. This helps accelerate the learning process in the next class.

Birth to 3 months: Infants start to bond with the parent and teacher through close contact. Attachment emerges gradually through this adult to infant bond. The maintenance of close proximity between infant and adult is part of an enduring relationship. Infants start to experience habituation or the ability to shut out excessive stimulation. Thus, they are able to adjust to their environment. Develop both innate reflexes and start to repeats actions that previously happened by chance; their reflexes become more coordinated.

3 to 9 months: Long Term memory starts to develop where infants can remember up to 2 wks after. The infant’s repetitive behaviors now focus on events or objects outside the body. The concept of object permanence is only partially developed. They will look only if partially visible. We create a safe environment where baby can begin to explore.