The First Three Years
As I have been writing an organizational tool for caregivers of infants and toddlers, I have been amazed at the developmental milestones that occur during the first three years of life. Having grandchildren in the age range of 11-36 months, it has been nice to see how those milestones occur. It is also evident that it happens at different times for different children. There are things caregivers and parents/grandparents can do to support this development. I am committed to have many more conversations with my grandchildren. The development of language is so critical.
posted by John Funk @ Permalink8:22 AM
4 Comments:
We have a child that missed about 6 months of development because of some health complications. She is coming up on her 2nd birthday and even though her development is rough and spotty it's amazing to see what skills are lacked and what didn't miss a skip.
Robert Pinkelman
I agree the amazement of how a child grows is beyond believable. My sweet little 11 month old amazes me every day. The little things she does is such a big deal to her. When she can turn the page in the book (board book) by herself she claps. After she gets the toy she wants she claps, after she does patty cake all by herself she claps. We have the ABC’s up on the fridge and she get so excited when she finds “M” the first letter to her name. I cannot wait to see what she does today.
Stacy 2330
It is so important that we talk to our children. Just as important is using those "teachable moment" with them. For example, talking to a child about the color or shape of his/her food. Something that seems so simple can have lasting effects on a child's learning.
Mr. Funk,
Over 30 years ago, I remember that friends found it odd that I only spoke in "adult" English language to my children. And, read "real" books to them in addition to the children's books. (For instance, classic poems from an anthology.)
In their education years, their teachers were amazed at their ability to communicate both orally and by the written word.
Now, when I visit them, I hear this tradition continued. The two two-year old cousins, five hundred miles apart, have amazing verbal skills seemingly putting the lie to the axiom that girls and boys don't learn to communicate verbally at the same rate.
Your commitment to converse with your grandchildren is so vital. Children learn these skills, in my experience, from participating in conversation, not from hearing it on records or TV. They get a chance to practice, not just observe.
Every generation grows up. It's our responsibility to do the very best we can with the one at hand.
I'm expecting that your tool will reap a bounty in the next generation.
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