Birth To One Year
Allison Lee has written this book as a companion to her first book Starting Your Own Childminding Business. She has been minding children herself for over 11 years and is employed part-time by the National Childminding Association as a Support Childminder giving help and advice to other practitioners. Allison has also written childminding courses for ISC Learning Direct and for UK Open-Learning Direct.
BIRTH TO ONE YEAR
Birth to three months
In the first three months of their lives, most babies will spend their time with their parents who are likely to be on leave from work. It is unlikely that as a childminder you will be caring for a baby younger than 12 weeks. Newborn babies are completely dependent on their carers to provide for them. They are unable to do even the smallest task for themselves and as such it is important that if you are caring for a newborn that you understand their needs and provide for them.
Babies grow and develop very quickly, particularly in their first year of life. They will go from being defenceless individuals to being able to recognise people and objects, sit up, clap hands, wave and possibly even walk before they reach their first birthday.
Newborn babies, although totally dependent on others, are actually aware of the things around them. They will already have reflexes which will enable them to react to certain things such as:
- human contact;
- bright lights;
- sudden movement;
- loud noises.
Before a baby has reached one month they will be able to recognise the sound of their main carer’s voice and be able to distinguish some familiar sounds.
Working on the Piles theory, ‘normative measurements’ of a child’s growth and development may look something like those on pages 100–105.
FACTORS WHICH MAY AFFECT A CHILD’s GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
There are many factors which may affect a child’s growth and development. Some of these factors may be temporary and some permanent. These factors are numerous but may range from a cold which results in a temporary loss of hearing to an illness such as cystic fibrosis which will affect the child’s growth and development permanently.
Studies have divided the factors which affect growth and development into three categories:
- Antenatal: the time from conception to birth;
- Perinatal: the actual time of the birth;
- Postnatal: the time after the birth.
Antenatal: At the time of conception many factors may influence and affect the growth and development of the child. Things such as the mother’s diet, whether she smokes and consumes alcohol and whether she is fit and healthy all contribute to the growth and development of the child.
Birth to three months
Physical The baby lies on their back. Head falls forward and back curves. Towards the end of this stage the baby can lift the head and kick vigorously. The baby recognises bright lights and shiny objects. Will react to loud noises and recognise their main carer’s face. Towards the end of this stage the baby can watch hands and play with fingers and rattles. |
Intellectual Feels pain. Turns towards sounds, listens to voices. Can ‘root’ and will turn towards the smell of the breast. Babies can focus on objects up to a few inches away. Babies enjoy imitating facial expressions and can make eye contact at this age. |
Language Babies respond to various situations by either crying, gurgling or cooing. They can recognise familiar voices and will turn to look for the sound. They will quieten when picked up and will cry when hungry, tired or uncomfortable. |
Emotional Babies first start to smile at around five to six weeks. By the age of eight to twelve weeks a baby will recognise the face and voice of their main carer. |
Social Babies of this age enjoy feeding and being inclose contact with their carer. A crying baby may stop being distressed when they hear, see or feel their main carer. Babies of this age often enjoy intimate caring routines such as cuddles and bathtime. |
Three to six months
Physical The baby is now likely to be able to grasp and switch objects from one hand to the other. Attempts to put objects in the mouth. Has good head control. |
Intellectual Babies have the ability to reach for objects. They like bright colours and interesting things to keep them stimulated. Co-ordination is improving. |
Language Babies of this age can recognise sounds and as they listen they try to imitate the sounds they hear. Babies are able to laugh and show signs of pleasure. |
Emotional By the age of five months a baby has learned that they have only one mother. Babies of this age show trust and security and they enjoy being in contact with others and receiving attention from them. |
Social Babies of this age are very interested in what is going on around them. |
Six to nine months
Physical A babyof this age can now usually roll from front to back. May attempt to crawl. Grasps feet. |
Intellectual The baby is now needing more complex and interesting things to keep them amused. They enjoy games of peek-a-boo and are fascinated watching brightly moving objects. |
Language Babies continue to try to imitate the sounds they hear and will constantly babble using sounds like ‘ah’ and ‘ee’. |
Emotional May begin to become distressed if the mother leaves the baby’s sight. Become aware of people they do not know. |
Social May beg in to feed themselves with fingers. Enjoys laughing with others. |
Nine to twelve months
Physical By this age the child will probably be mobile. This could mean either shuffling, crawling or even walking. The child will be able to sit unaided. Pincer movement is well developed and the child should be able to reach and grasp objects. The child will be able to throw toys and manage to feed themselves with finger foods. |
Intellectual At this stage of achild’s development they will beg in to remember things and build on memory. They will become adept at imitating others including their actions, sounds and moods. The child will be able to wave goodbye and clap hands. |
Language The child may be able to respond to simple instructions such as ‘kiss mummy’. Babble becomes expressive and continual. May be able to imitate sounds of animals such as ‘baa’, ‘moo’, etc. |
Emotional Enjoys being with familiar people. Beg ins to show preferences. Continues to enjoy games such as ‘peek-a-boo’ and becomes more confident clapping hands and waving goodbye. |
Social Enjoys playing alone and can manage this for lengthy periods of time. Enjoys music and nursery rhymes. |
