The Principles

During the first few years of a baby's life, the brain grows and develops significantly. The baby rapidly progresses from a totally dependent infant to an independent youngster. While genetics is important in determining your child's skills and abilities, the role of the environment is of equal importance in affecting your child's learning and emotion.

Development is a continuous process. The child goes through each step according to a certain sequence. However, each child is UNIQUE. Your baby will develop at his or her own pace. While certain abilities tend to occur at certain ages, a wide spectrum of timing can be normal. It is therefore difficult to be exact about what should be expected at each stage of a particular chile's dvelopment.

What are the different areas of development

What your child needs

In order to help your child grow and develop to his / her full potential especially in the early stages of life, he or she needs:

	to feel special, loved, and valued
	to feel secure
	to feel confident
	guidance
	a balanced experience of freedom and limits
	exposure to a diverse environment filled with a variety of stimulation

How you can help

	Provide an interesting and safe physical environment, including age and delopmentally appropriate play materials, for your child to explore and learn
	Respond warmly and contingently to your child's behavior: smiling when your child smiles, talking when your child speaks and answering your child's questions however briefly
	Talk to and with your child, encourage him to express himself
	Avoid too much restriction, punishment or control, instead give your child room to explore and even opportunity to make mistakes within safe boundaries
	Have reasonable expectations for your child's abilities

The following series of "Child Development" serve to show a general progression through the developmental stages. Every child is unique. It is perfectly natural for a child to attain some milestones earlier and others later than the general trend.

Don't be alarmed if your baby's development takes a slightly different timing or your baby fails to attain certain abilities at some stages. It may only signal a need for special attention.

If you have any concerns related to your child's own pattern of development, discuss with the nurses or doctors at any MCHC.