Baby Development - But What Role do Parents Play?

It is truly amazing the development that a babygrabbing for it.
experiences in the first year of life. Every weekAround this time rosy cheeks may appear as the first
seems to bring another milestone for parents as wellteeth start coming through. Some babies sail through
as baby! The primary way a baby learns is throughteething while others do not cope well at all. Provide
play and baby games, it is how they start to makeplenty of different textures and shapes for chewing.
sense of their world. By providing a nurturing and safeSugar free icy poles are available which you can hold
environment for our babies we help to promote thisfor your youngster or portions of watermelon or other
learning that aids their early development.cool fruits that he will not choke on.
The main groups for baby development in the firstAfter the first six months babies become much more
year aresocial, enjoying many more games, particularly those
1.Cognitive- relating to learning and problem solvingthat involve clapping, singing or tickling. Very early in life
2.Social- relating to language and interacting with othersbabies are able to recognise games of anticipation and
3.Motor Skills- both fine and gross motor skills. Learningseem to love knowing that they are going to be tickled,
to crawl and walk as well as pick up small objects.as much as the tickle itself! They will love story time
In the early months babies love their hands and areand enjoy the process of turning pages and exploring
endlessly occupied just playing with them and puttingthe textures found in many books.
them into their mouths. Once they start being able toYou will find them smiling and playing with those they
efficiently grasp at objects they will enjoy being givenknow but often quite reserved around strangers.
new toys to explore with hands and mouth. Make sureThe culmination of all these 'baby steps' in
these objects are baby friendly, there is a wide rangedevelopment is that by the time your child turns one he
of baby specific toys to promote learning andwill be close to saying his first words and possibly
exploration at different ages.pulling himself up in preparation for walking. Your once
Once a baby is able to sit and roll the world takes onhelpless and tiny baby is almost a toddler!
a whole new appearance. She is now able to see herEnjoy the pleasure your baby gets from his play and
surrounding as others do, and rather than passivelyenjoy your time spent playing with him. Your reactions
laying on her back she can move towards somethingand words of encouragement mean more than any
if it interests her. She has gained control of her headmilestone he may pass.
and neck and can visually track an object before