|
 The
most important criteria for judging a child's progress are physical growth
and mental development. While young parents are often obsessed by physical
growth (height and weight), a similar care is needed for the mental development
of a child.
In India all too often, there is a tendency to stress early development
in areas where no progress can be made at this stage (eg. Toilet training)
while discounting vital areas like stimulation and learning.
| 90%
of a child's mental development takes place in the first 3 years. |
|
Mental
development :-
There is a myth that a child's learning should be left solely to the school
years. Infact studies show that learning is maximum in the first 3-5 years
of life and that the basic personality of a child is fully formed by the
time he is 5 years of age.
You can help your child's proper mental stimulation and development by
:-
- Talking
- use simplified grown up talk rather than baby talk. This will help
her learn to speak correctly faster. Urge her to talk back.
- Reading
- read out nursery rhymes, simple stories etc.
- Singing
- Pointing
& naming objects, colours, body parts, the baby's clothes and everything
else in his world.
- Playing.
- Listening
- listen to his babble and respond.
All of these
stimuli should begin at birth or preferably even before birth, in the
womb. This is what our traditions have always told us - even in the womb,
Abhimanyu was busy learning from his father. Ignore any strange looks
you might get from less informed persons - the results will bear you out.
Spoiling the child - Often your elders will tell you that too much
love and attention can spoil your child. ,Don't believe them Especially
In the first few months of life, an infant needs the security and warmth
of your love. It is this security that will make the foundations of his
personality strong and positive, it is this security that will give him
the courage to be curious, to explore and to learn. He is still too young
to manipulate you. If you withhold love at this stage, the chances for
spoiling the child are greater because he may misbehave in order to attract
your attention. Similarly you may have heard that a baby will soon get
used to the lap. She may, perhaps, for a while, but it is not a permanent
condition. If she feels secure about you , she will be emboldened to explore
her world. Your attempts to prevent her from getting used to your lap
may make her feel that when she gets close to you, she must stick to you
for she might not get another chance soon.
| A
child is spoilt by withholding love and attention rather than
by giving love and attention. |
|
Toilet training:
| The
development of any new skill depends upon the nervous system
being ready for it and should not be forced. |
|
A child
is not physiologically ready to be toilet trained
before two years of age. A younger child notwithstanding the tall tales
of proud mothers, does not even connect urination and bowel movement to
herself. So even if you begin training at this age, you'll end up frustrated
and having to begin again at 2 years of age.
| Before
two years it is the mother who becomes toilet trained not the
child. |
|
These are
only general guidelines. It must always be remembered that no two babies
are alike. All children develop at their own paces.
|
