EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

During the first weeks of your baby’s life, you will spend most of your time feeding, changing diapers, and comforting him. Sometimes you may feel overwhelmed. It’s natural to wonder if you’re doing the right thing, especially if this is your first child. Caring for newborns becomes easier as the days go by. You can soon learn the meaning of each cry and be able to understand what your baby needs and wants.

At first, babies usually sleep during the day and are awake at night. They have no pattern or routine. They may gasp, shake and wake up, or appear cross-eyed. All of this is normal, and may even make you smile.

You naturally form an emotional bond with your baby simply by spending time together, being physically close, and responding to their cues.

Breastfeeding

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is a type of feeding that consists of the baby receiving only breast milk and no other solid or liquid food except for hydrating solutions, vitamins, minerals or medications.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend that this be maintained during the first six months of life and it is suggested that it begin in the first hour of life after birth, that it be on free demand and that the use of drugs be avoided. baby formula.

In addition to providing girls and boys with all the necessary nutrients and hydration, breastfeeding provides emotional and psychological benefits to both baby and mother, and helps families avoid additional expenses on formula, bottles and, by providing the best baby’s health, also reduces expenses on medical consultations and medications.

Early stimulation

It would consist of promoting the physical and mental abilities of the baby or child so that, through activities and exercises that can be carried out from birth, they can develop optimally at a psychomotor, cognitive and emotional level but also at a language level and even to promote their autonomy and independence.

0 to 3 months: at this stage we can start with some gentle exercise to awaken the first stimuli.

3 to 6 months: their motor skills are increasing and that is why we must help them strengthen their muscles for the new stage that is entering.

For more information access the available online resources:

https://www.unicef.org/dominicanrepublic/media/3481/file/Publicaci%C3%B3n%20%7C%20Bienvenido%20beb%C3%A9.pdf

Welcome baby guide:https://www.unicef.org/mena/media/16146/file

Breastfeeding:

https://www.unicef.org/mexico/lactancia-materna#:~:text=La%20lactancia%20contribuye%20al%20desarrollo,c%C3%A1ncer%2C%20hipertensi%C3%B3n%2C%20entre%20otras.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oLUTJDN6zKS3FpuYJEJQGQOtiakJxZcK/view?usp=drive_link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qcC23DZ6Y44oTotlxZyPhJXLp-LRx7FC/view?usp=drive_link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13hnxJC3nD4BwCReAYazTsNr7DVnLzx4n/view?usp=drive_link

https://www.facebook.com/unicefvenezuela/videos/10156243146989345/

Guia de estimulacion: https://atenciontempranaciudadreal.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/completa-guc3ada-con-ejercicios-para-la-estimulacic3b3n-temprana.pdf

21 learning activities for babies and toddlers

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-care/21-learning-activities-babies-and-toddlers

Early childhood development guide:

https://www.unicef.org/supply/media/631/file/ECD-early-child-development-kit-activity-guide-english.pdf

Organizaciones de apoyo en lactancia materna:

Breastfeeding  supporting organizations:

Breastfeeding association Trinidad and tobago

Phone contact:(868) 468-5412

https://www.facebook.com/TIBS.tt/

For questions please contact our early childhood development unit you can do so through the telephone number 1868-3453865.

Early stimulation is the attention given to children in the first stages of their life, in order to maximize and develop their physical, intellectual and psychosocial abilities to the maximum, through programs that cover all areas of human development.

Stimulation activities are based on knowledge of the development patterns that children follow, so they must be applied in accordance with the age and level of development, since it is not intended to force the child to achieve goals for which It’s not ready yet.

The areas of development covered by early stimulation are:

– Gross motor, which are general movements of the body, legs and arms.

– Fine motor, which are the precise and specialized movements of hands and fingers.

– Language, which is the ability to communicate and speak.

– Socio-affective, which is the ability to relate to others and express feelings and emotions.

Nutrition for children 7 months to 1 year

Feeding your baby: 6–8 months

Between 6 and 8 months, offer your baby half a cup of soft foods two or three times a day. Your baby can eat anything except honey, which he should not eat until he is 1 year old. You can start adding a healthy snack between meals, such as pureed fruit. As your baby eats increasing amounts of solid foods, he should continue to receive the same amount of breast milk.

Feeding your baby: 9–11 months

Between 9 and 11 months, your baby can eat half a cup of food three to four times a day, plus a healthy snack. Now you can start chopping soft foods into small pieces instead of grinding them. Your baby may even start eating finger foods. Continue breastfeeding whenever he is hungry.

All foods should be easy for your baby to eat, as well as nutritious. Make every bite count.

Food should be rich in nutrients and provide energy. In addition to cereals and potatoes, make sure that every day your baby eats vegetables and fruits, legumes and seeds, a little oil or fat rich in energy and, especially, foods of animal origin (dairy, eggs, meat, fish and poultry ). Eating a variety of foods every day gives your baby the best chance of getting all the nutrients he needs.

If your baby rejects a new food or spits it out, don’t insist. Try again a few days later. You can also try mixing it with another food that your baby likes or adding a little breast milk on top.

For more information access the available online resources:

Guia de estimulacion: https://atenciontempranaciudadreal.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/completa-guc3ada-con-ejercicios-para-la-estimulacic3b3n-temprana.pdf

21 learning activities for babies and toddlers

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-care/21-learning-activities-babies-and-toddlers

Early childhood development guide:

https://www.unicef.org/supply/media/631/file/ECD-early-child-development-kit-activity-guide-english.pdf

Guia nutricional para niños- niñas  y la familia 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PGMW4G3hgNHYfXE7193W4pUidwIH6UhT/view?usp=drive_link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RLZng0zGQSa8eDd7O7qVjW488dMPMkU9/view?usp=drive_link

Infant and young child feeding

https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/infant-and-young-child-feeding/

Juega conmigo 1-2 años 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l387BmMq16sdXCQLxMLZnCHYGOKB4q5J/view?usp=drive_link

For questions please contact our early childhood development unit you can do so through the telephone number 1868-3453865.

At 2 years old, your daughter or son talks, walks, climbs, jumps, runs and has a lot of energy. She or he has a growing vocabulary and acquires new words regularly. He knows how to classify shapes and colors and may even show interest in potty training. As your child becomes more independent, they may show signs of rebellion as they begin to expand their boundaries and explore the world around them.

What games can stimulate cognitive skills?

Memory games, puzzles, songs with movements, coloring, find the differences. At this age children  recognize shapes and colors

What games can stimulate motor skills?

Around their second birthday, children can usually go up and down stairs one step at a time, kick a ball, and start running. Most children can also stand on their toes. You may see your child carrying toys, sometimes big toys, around the house. Pull toys are also very popular at this age.

They doodle and draw simple lines with crayons. They can also take toys or other objects from a container and build a tower with 4 or more blocks. You may notice that your child uses one hand more than the other.

Nutrition children 2-3 years old.

This stage of life is when eating habits are established, that is, they are incorporated into the family diet. To do this, in addition to a balanced and healthy diet, it is important that food is an opportunity to get together as a family.

At this stage the boy or girl can consume dairy products, meats, grains, avocados, fruits, vegetables, cereals, tubers and water.

For more information access the available online resources:

Your toddler’s developmental milestones at 2 years

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-development/your-toddlers-developmental-milestones-2-years

Early childhood development guide:

https://www.unicef.org/supply/media/631/file/ECD-early-child-development-kit-activity-guide-english.pdf

Infant and young child feeding

https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/infant-and-young-child-feeding/

For questions please contact our early childhood development unit you can do so through the telephone number 1868-3453865.

What are some developmental milestones my child should achieve by the time he or she is three to four years old?

Your child’s third year will be dominated by fantasy and a vivid imagination. Over the next two years, your child will mature in many areas.

Below you will find other important achievements to look out for.

Achievements in his movements:

• Jumps and stands on one foot for up to five seconds
• Go up and down the steps without support
• Kick a ball forward
• Throw the ball over your shoulder
• Catches the ball on the rebound most of the time
• Moves forward and backward with agility

Achievements in hand and finger skills

• Copy square figures
• Draw a person with two to four body parts
• Use the scissors
• Draw circles and squares
• Start copying some capital letters

Language achievements:

• Better understand the concept of “same” and “different”
• You have mastered some basic grammar rules
• It is expressed in sentences of five to six words.
• Speak clearly enough for strangers to understand
• Tell stories

Cognitive achievements:

• Name some colors correctly
• Understands the concept of counting and can know some numbers
• Approach problems from a single point of view
• You begin to have a clearer sense of time
• Follows orders from three parties
• Remember parts of a story
• Understand the concept of same/different
• Participate in fantasy games

Social and emotional achievements:

• You are interested in new experiences
• Cooperate with other children
• Play “mom” or “dad”
• He is becoming more and more inventive in fantasy games
• He dresses and undresses
• Negotiate solutions to conflicts
• More independent
• Imagine that many unfamiliar images can be “monsters”
• Sees himself as a full person, involving body, mind and feelings
• Often unable to distinguish between fantasy and reality

What can my child do at this age?

As your child grows, you will notice them developing new and exciting skills. Although children can progress at different rates, the following are some of the normal milestones they can achieve in this age group:

4 year old children:

• sing a song;
• hops and hops on one foot;
• catches and throws a ball overhead;
• go down the stairs alone;
• draw a person with three different body parts;
• build a tower with 10 blocks;
• understand the difference between fantasy and reality.

Children 5 years old:

• jump rope;
• walk backwards;
• balances on one foot with eyes closed;
• use the scissors;
• begins to learn to tie his shoes;
• copies shapes while drawing;
• dresses himself;
• knows the address and telephone number;
• recognizes and recites the alphabet;
• Permanent teeth may begin to emerge.

What can my child say?

Speech development is very exciting for parents as they see their children become sociable beings who can interact with others. Although each child develops speech at his or her own pace, the following are some of the normal milestones your children can reach in this age group:

4 year old children:

• can put together sentences with four or five words;
• constantly asks questions;
• you may know one color or more;
• likes to tell stories;

Children 5 years old:

• can put together sentences with six to eight words;
• you may know five or more colors;
• knows the days of the week and the months;
• can name coins and money;
• can understand commands with multiple instructions;
• speaks frequently.

What does my child understand?

As a child’s vocabulary increases, so does their understanding and awareness of the world around them. Children at this age begin to understand concepts and can compare abstract ideas. Although children may progress at different speeds, the following are some of the common milestones that children can reach in this age group:

4 year old children:

• begin to understand time;
• you begin to be less self-aware and more aware of the people around you;
• can obey his parents’ rules, but does not know right from wrong;
• believe that your thoughts can make things happen;

Children 5 years old:

• better understanding of time;
• curious about real facts about the world;
• You can compare parents’ rules with those of friends.

How does my child interact with others?

A very important part of growing up is the ability to interact and socialize with others. This can be a frustrating transition for parents as children go through different stages, some of which are not easy to handle. While all children are unique and develop different personalities, the following are some of the common characteristics that may be present in your child.

4 year old children:

• very independent, wants to do things for himself;
• selfish, does not like to share;
• temperamental, mood swings are common;
• may be aggressive during mood swings and become aggressive with family members;
• has several fears;
• may have imaginary friends;
• likes to explore the body and may play doctor and nurse;
• could “escape” or threaten to do so;
• fights with brothers;
• will often play with others in groups.

Children 5 years old:

• generally more cooperative than 4-year-olds;
• generally more responsible than 4-year-olds;
• eager to please others and make them happy;
• has good manners;
• dresses himself completely without assistance;
• gets along well with parents;
• he likes to cook and play sports;
• When the child enters school, he or she may become more attached to parents.

How to help increase the social capacity of the boy and girl in preschool

Consider the following points as ways to foster your child’s social skills in preschool:

• Offer compliments for good behavior and achievements;
• Encourage your child to talk to you and be open with their feelings;
• Read to your child, sing songs, and talk to him or her;
• Spend quality time with your child and introduce them to new experiences;
• Encourage your child to ask questions and explore;
• Encourage physical activity with supervision;
• Arrange times for your child to be with other children, such as in playgroups;
• Give him the opportunity to choose, when appropriate;
• Use isolation time for behavior that is not acceptable;
• Encourage your child to express anger in an appropriate way;
• Limit TV (or other screen) watching time to 1 to 2 hours a day. Use free time for other, more productive activities.

Nutrition for children 3-5 years old

1. Foods that contain grains or flour (carbohydrates)

Offer these with every meal and with some snacks. They include whole grain breakfast cereals with no added sugar, pasta, rice, potatoes, sweet potato, banana.

2. Fruits and vegetables

It can take some time for children to learn to eat a wide variety, especially of vegetables. Continue offering them at every meal so your child learns that they are always part of a normal meal. Fruits are often more popular. Cut them into pieces to make them easier to eat and always include fruit as part of the dessert or as the only dessert.

3. Foods high in iron and protein

Offer these at one or two meals each day. They include meat, fish, eggs, nuts and legumes. Legumes are foods like beans, chickpeas, hummus or lentils. Offers soft, tender pieces of meat as some children have difficulty chewing hard meats.

4. Milk, cheese and yogurt

Offer your child these foods at least three times a day. Dairy products provide plenty of calcium for growing bones, but are extremely low in iron. Preschoolers need less milk than babies and should not be given large bottles of milk; Offer two to three glasses a day, but do not exceed one liter of milk a day. Large milk drinks will reduce your child’s appetite for other foods, especially those higher in iron, and provide unnecessary calories.

What should my child take at this age?

Offer six to eight small drinks throughout the day, one with each meal and one with each snack. Your child may need more fluids in very hot weather or if he or she is especially active, as he or she can become dehydrated quickly.

If he still uses a bottle, try eliminating it and giving him all drinks, including milk, in cups and glasses. Drinking from a bottle slows down the drinking process and prolongs exposure to harmful sugars. This increases the risk of cavities and tooth enamel erosion. If you can’t get him off the bottle for a while, make sure he drinks water after the bottle to prevent tooth damage.

Milk and water are the safest drinks to give between meals. Restrict fruit juices at mealtimes, as the acid in juices can damage teeth when drunk between meals or several times a day.

Sweet and sour drinks, such as “fruit punches,” also cause cavities if drunk frequently between meals and contribute to overweight and obesity.

Sports drinks should not be given to children as they have a high sugar and mineral content intended only for very active athletes.

What foods should I limit?

Foods high in fat and sugar give preschoolers some extra energy, which they need for growth. These include foods such as butter, margarine, oil, cakes, cookies, and ice cream. Include them only in small quantities. You can occasionally offer your child cake or cookies and fruit as dessert. If your child is inactive, for example, if he spends a lot of time sitting and watching television, you should only offer these foods in very limited quantities. Otherwise, you may become overweight.

To prevent obesity, it is also recommended that children be physically active for at least one hour daily and television or sedentary activities should be limited to no more than two hours daily.

Sweets and chocolates and other sugary foods can be included as an occasional treat between meals, but they can damage your child’s teeth if eaten frequently. They can also reduce your child’s appetite for healthy foods in addition to being major contributors to the obesity epidemic that affects us.

Salty foods: a typical diet in the United States, and in much of the Western world, usually has excess salt or sodium. Most of it comes from processed foods. Excess sodium can cause health problems, such as hypertension, among others.

Avoid

• Potato chips and other salty snacks as an occasional food; don’t offer them to your son
• Don’t add salt to food at the table
• Use herbs and spices instead of excess salt to flavor the foods you prepare
• Keep processed foods to a minimum and when you have a choice, use the low-salt variety

What foods should my child avoid completely?

Raw or partially cooked eggs and shellfish can cause food poisoning in young children. If you offer them, make sure they are cooked well. Seafood should not be consumed more than once a week.

Large fish that live for many years, such as shark, swordfish, and pipefish, may contain high levels of mercury and should not be given to children.

Whole nuts can cause choking, so they should not be given to children under five years of age.

Tea and coffee should be avoided as they reduce the absorption of iron from food and their caffeine content is very stimulating for children. Diet colas or sodas tend to be high in caffeine and can also damage teeth, so they should also be avoided.

For more information access the available online resources:

Juega conmigo 3-5 años 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S_qoheB0dV8Gq9Gq7tUSX9snyXVNa1yj/view?usp=drive_link

Early childhood development guide:

https://www.unicef.org/supply/media/631/file/ECD-early-child-development-kit-activity-guide-english.pdf

Guia nutricional para niños- niñas  y la familia 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PGMW4G3hgNHYfXE7193W4pUidwIH6UhT/view?usp=drive_link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RLZng0zGQSa8eDd7O7qVjW488dMPMkU9/view?usp=drive_link

Infant and young child feeding

https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/infant-and-young-child-feeding/

El Desarrollo de Niños y Niñas de 4 a 10 años

https://www.unicef.org/chile/media/1926/file/tiempo_de_crecer.pdf

Learning through play 

https://www.unicef.org/sites/default/files/2018-12/UNICEF-Lego-Foundation-Learning-through-Play.pdf

Supporting children education

 https://youtu.be/pnVnaMPAKpk?si=vOBvej4892KMBNYK

For questions please contact our early childhood development unit you can do so through the telephone number 1868-3453865.