EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT

BY NTWE W.M

INTRODUCTION

• Early childhood care is the keystone in the building blocks of a child’s life. When is there a better time to make good impressions with children and teach them right from wrong? In my opinion, young children, mainly those from pre-school to Kindergarten, need more guidance, and more love from their caregivers than any other time in their life. My heart is with children among these ages. In society children do not always come from homes with a mommy and a daddy. They do not always come from homes where food is on the table and maybe not even a warm bed to sleep in. To me, teachers to young children hold the most important place to society. These people should heal that brokenness between families, and be the bridge to keep things flowing.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• What Does a Young Child Need?

• What is the Caregiver’s Role?

• Lessons That Last

• Caregiver Hints

• Developmental RED FLAG ALERTS

• Early Childhood Programs

• Early Childhood Resources

• Car Seat Information

WHAT DOES A YOUNG CHILD NEED?

• Assistance to meet :

• Physical Needs

• Emotional Needs

• Social Needs

• Psychological Needs

• Cognitive Needs

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE CAREGIVER?

• Provides love, care, and nurturance for the child.

• Makes sure the child is safe

• and healthy.

• Engages the child in play, conversation, singing, and activities that expand learning.

LESSONS THAT LAST A LIFETIME

• Young children learn from infancy about the world.

• Many of the lessons are taught by the caregiver.

• Some of these lessons relate to:

• TRUST

• INDEPENDENCE

• INITIATIVE

CAREGIVER HINTS

• Things to do together:

• Talk (even to a baby)

• Read books daily

• Play with blocks, balls, trikes, puppets, and more

• Draw (big crayons)

• Teach a song

• HAVE FUN...

DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAG ALERTS

• Refers to behavioural indicators that show that a child is not developing at a normal range. These behaviours are areas of concern when they are seen consistently over a period of time.

• Some children are “early bloomers”

and others may be delayed

in some areas but still within

the normal range of development.

• Infants under 6 months:

• Failure to gain weight

• Unable to make eye contact or follow objects

• Failure to hold head up

• Failure to hold on with hands

• No response to loud sounds

DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAG ALERTS

• Failure to show anticipatory behavior at feeding

• Lack of interest in social stimuli

• Does not grasp or reach for objects

• Tight muscles or muscles appear stiff

• Infants 9 to 12 months -

• Does not gain weight

• Lack of affect

• Not able to say single words, such as “mama”

• Does not look at caregiver for social cues or comfort

• Does not crawl

• Cannot stand when supported

DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAG ALERTS

• Does not use gestures, such as waving or shaking head

• Drags one side of body while crawling (for over one month)

• Does not search for object that are hidden while s/he watches

• Toddler 18 to 24 months-

• No speech

• Excessive body rocking

• Sleep disturbance

• Out of the ordinary play

• Withholding and other bowel problems

• Retarded development or persistent regression

DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAG ALERTS

• Three-Year-Olds -

• Frequent falling and difficulty with stairs

• Persistent drooling or very unclear speech

• Inability to build a tower of more than four blocks

• Difficulty manipulating small objects

• Inability to communicate in three word sentences

• No involvement in “pretend” play

• Little interest in other children

• Four-Year-Olds -

• Cannot throw a ball overhand

• Cannot jump in place

• Cannot grasp a crayon between thumb and finger

• Has difficulty scribbling

• Shows no interest in interactive games

• Ignores other children

• Resists dressing, sleeping, using the toilet

• Does not use sentences of more than three words

• Cannot copy a circle

• Lashes out with no self control whenever angry or upset

DEVELOPMENTAL RED FLAG ALERTS

• Five-Year-Olds -

• Extremely fearful or timid

• Extremely aggressive

• Easily distracted and unable to concentrate on a single activity for more than five minutes

• Shows little interest in playing with other children

• Severely unhappy or sad much of the time

• Seems unusually passive

• Cannot talk about daily activities

• Has trouble taking off clothing

• Cannot wash and dry his/her hands

WHAT TO DO WHEN RED FLAG ALERTS ARE NOTED?

• Have the young child evaluated by the child’s pediatrician.

• Obtain input from the childcare center professional.

• Request a developmental assessment.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMSCOMPONENTS OF QUALITY CHILDCARE PROGRAMS

• Early Childhood Education ProgramsComponents of Quality Childcare Programs

• Equipment is appropriate to care for the child’s age

• Toys and activities are appropriate for the child’s development

• A routine is established for rest and play

• HEAD START• Federally funded to serve children 3.9 years

• Some communities have programs beginning for young children as early as 18-24 months.

• Services available at NO COST

• 3.5 hour daily programs - Monday through Friday

• Lunch and snacks provided

FEATURES OF HEAD START PROGRAMS:

• Assessment screening for special needs

• Speech therapy

• Developmental milestones, etc.

• Emphasis on school readiness

• Literacy Development

• Field trips

• Provide family support services

• In home visits

• Parenting classes

• Individual Education Plan developed for each child

• Assistance transition to a new school

REFERENCES

• http://www.slideshare.net/anushkaden/early-childeducation?qid=a79a5847-bc44-439f-ad4f-7889288526bd&v=qf1&b=&from_search=7

• http://www.slideshare.net/COREGroup1/ecd-waya?qid=a79a5847-bc44-439f-ad4f-7889288526bd&v=qf1&b=&from_search=10

• http://www.slideshare.net/guest5f348a5/early-childhood-development?qid=a79a5847-bc44-439f-ad4f-7889288526bd&v=qf1&b=&from_search=12