Introduction
The first few months of life are crucial for a newborn’s development. This is because they form the basis for the child’s physical, emotional, and psychological growth. Moreover, during this time, children experience considerable developmental changes that can have a lasting impression on their lives (Gesell, 2021). Thus, it is crucial to recognize two developmental shifts during the first three months of life and explore what caregivers can do to facilitate healthy outcomes during this stage.
Motor Development and Physical Growth
It is important to note that children begin to develop motor skills at an early stage of development. For a few weeks after birth, they have little or no control over their bodies. However, as babies grow and develop, they gradually gain control of their heads and begin to roll independently (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, n.d.). As a result, by the end of the third month, most children can finally lift their heads and chests and lie on their stomachs. They can even learn to roll over from their stomachs to their backs.
To improve their development, caregivers can help children practice basic skills. Thus, they can gradually develop coordinated movements with the help of various exercises. For example, caregivers can turn children over to lie on their stomachs. This will help them build strength and learn to control their bodies.
As a result, children can master head-raising skills and develop coordinated movements (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, n.d.). Moreover, caregivers can use additional objects and toys to develop children’s fine motor skills. This allows subjects to quickly master the ability to hold objects and even focus attention on them.
Social Development and Caregiver Interaction
Moreover, children are interested in social interaction from birth. Therefore, the development of social capacities occurs several months after birth (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). Accordingly, infants first try to remember and respond to people they frequently encounter.
Furthermore, by the end of the third month, most newborns can recognize the appearance of people and the timbre of their voices. Accordingly, kids begin to react to different individuals depending on their interaction patterns. That is, children can laugh when they hear their fathers and caregivers.
As a result, caregivers can utilize games to enhance human beings’ natural socialization abilities. Thus, they can communicate with babies to practice distinguishing voices. Accordingly, the tools for this are conversations, various songs, and games, such as painting eyes and smiling.
This significantly helps kids increase their understanding of social contacts and learn how to respond to them. That is because when caregivers open their eyes, children usually start laughing (Felfe & Lalive, 2018, p. 48). In addition, it is good to involve friends, other infants, and family members to expand the children’s social circle.
This benefits infants by allowing them to quickly learn to navigate a situation with multiple actors. However, in addition to playtime for children’s development, it is important for caregivers to pay attention to healthy nutrition and sleep. This is essential for children to develop and grow physically and psychologically in accordance with their age (Felfe & Lalive, 2018). Only in this case will caregivers be able to effectively spend time with them to teach them to adapt to society.
Conclusion
Thus, immediately after birth, children want to explore the world, and caregivers can help them with this. Therefore, when children are trying to develop their motor skills, it is necessary to support them. These abilities are essential for their future life and will help them in their further development. In addition, infants are social and need to develop contact with other people.
Caregivers can promote healthy development through play and constant communication. This positively impacts kids’ ability to distinguish the voices and faces of people they see frequently. Accordingly, it will significantly influence their ability to speak and interact in society in the future.
References
Felfe, C., & Lalive, R. (2018). Does early child care affect children’s development? Journal of Public Economics, 159, 33-53. Web.
Gesell, A. (2021). Child development. Prabhat Prakashan.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (n.d.). Infant development: Birth to 3 months. Web.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). Infants (0-1 year of age). Web.