263 Chapter 11 Providing for the Infant’s Developmental Needs
Experienced caregivers tend
to almost ignore many common,
not-too-serious problems.
Experience teaches that all babies
are different and many problems
solve themselves in time.
Recognizing
Developmental
Delays
As you read in Chapter 1, a
developmental delay simply means
a child’s development falls far
behind typical children of his or her
age in one or more areas. A larger
gap indicates a more serious delay.
Infancy is the best time to begin
watching for delays and treating
problems. Seeking help early can
keep some problems from worsening.
If an infant’s development seems
to be much slower than the norms,
parents should consult a doctor. See
the Infant Milestones in Appendix A
to learn about some typical infant
behaviors that may help parents to
recognize delays.
With the rapid development during the
fi rst year, the baby has many needs. Adults
must meet their physical, intellectual, and
social-emotional needs.
Only breast milk or formula is
recommended for the fi rst six months.
After that, adults can introduce solid baby
foods one at a time. Learning to drink from
a cup, eat fi nger foods, and use a spoon
takes time. These tasks require the child
to use a different set of throat and tongue
muscles and develop coordination.
Babies outgrow their clothing quickly.
Good consumer sense is important when
buying baby clothes. Parents should read
labels for care instructions and check for
fl ame retardant and anti-static fi nishes.
Clothing must be clean and free of
detergent residue before wearing.
Other needs include bathing,
sleeping, and playing. When giving
a tub bath, make sure the water is
comfortably warm and the child is safe
from slipping. Children should have their
own sleep area away from distracting
noises. Keep the child’s bed free of soft,
fl uffy products, and put all infants on
their backs to sleep. All play spaces for
babies and young children should be
safe, yet provide stimulating play.
To develop intellectually, children
need an enriched environment. They
need activities that will stimulate all the
senses. Problem-solving activities help
them learn about the world around them.
Activities that develop motor skills are
encouraged. For language development
to take place, it is important to talk to
children and encourage them to make
sounds and words.
Babies’ social-emotional needs
center on their interaction with others
and their growing self-awareness. Adults
and those around them help babies
develop their self-identity.
Different problems in feeding,
sleeping, and crying may develop. Parents
and caregivers need to try a number of
methods to handle these problems calmly,
yet effectively. If a problem persists, or
a delay is suspected, parents should
contact the child’s doctor for advice.
Summary
ompanion
Web Site
Interactive Activity
Review vocabulary terms and
key concepts for Chapter 11 at
g-wlearning.com.