Growing physical independence
Now that she's only one month shy of her first birthday, your baby is no longer that helpless infant who couldn't do anything without you. She still needs plenty of care and support, but her growing independence -- evident in her standing, stooping and squatting -- is becoming apparent. She may walk while gripping your hand, and she'll hold out her arm or leg to help you dress her. At mealtimes, she may be able to grip a cup and drink from it independently (though some children may not do this for a few more months) and hand-feed herself an entire meal.
Of course, once your child is able to drink from a cup by herself, you may need to start ducking, because she's just as likely to toss it when she's finished as she is to put it down gently. She'll also purposely drop objects for someone, probably you, to pick up.
Of course, once your child is able to drink from a cup by herself, you may need to start ducking, because she's just as likely to toss it when she's finished as she is to put it down gently. She'll also purposely drop objects for someone, probably you, to pick up.
Books for your little reader
Your child likes to look at books and leaf through the pages, though she won't always turn them one by one. She may have favourite books too, that she likes to come back to time and again.
Becoming her own person
At this age your baby may assert herself among her siblings and begin to engage in parallel play -- contentedly playing alongside (but not with) another child. She may also have designated a favourite blanket or stuffed animal as a security object.
Time to start setting limits
Your baby now probably understands simple instructions and may purposely choose to ignore you when you say "no." (To help the word carry a little more weight, reserve its use for things that are truly dangerous.) But even though your baby may not always remember tomorrow what you've said today, it's not too soon to set certain boundaries and start teaching her right from wrong.
You're not being mean if you don't let her devour a second cake; you're setting limits. If she pulls kitty's tail, move her hand, look her in the eye and say, "No, that hurts the cat." Then guide your daughter's hand to pet the animal gently. Her desire to explore is stronger than her desire to listen to your warnings, so it's up to you to protect and teach her. What seems to be defiance isn't; it's just her natural curiosity to see how the world works.
You're not being mean if you don't let her devour a second cake; you're setting limits. If she pulls kitty's tail, move her hand, look her in the eye and say, "No, that hurts the cat." Then guide your daughter's hand to pet the animal gently. Her desire to explore is stronger than her desire to listen to your warnings, so it's up to you to protect and teach her. What seems to be defiance isn't; it's just her natural curiosity to see how the world works.
Talking up a storm
Words and word-like sounds are now spilling out of your baby -- words she's now able to use meaningfully. As the frontal lobes of her brain gradually develop, coinciding with the arrival of higher cognitive abilities such as reasoning and speech, you can continue to encourage her interest in language by avidly listening and responding to her words and babbling. This type of interaction is crucial to teaching her about two-way communication. Playing games such as patta-cake and peek-a-boo will help polish her memory skills.
At this age, your baby can probably imitate word sounds and inflections as well as actions. She may be able to follow simple directions, such as "Please bring me the ball" or "Pick up the spoon." Help her learn by separating commands into easy-to-follow steps.
Cherish this brief but remarkable period when your baby's communication skills are emerging: They're perhaps the most important ability she'll ever have.
At this age, your baby can probably imitate word sounds and inflections as well as actions. She may be able to follow simple directions, such as "Please bring me the ball" or "Pick up the spoon." Help her learn by separating commands into easy-to-follow steps.
Cherish this brief but remarkable period when your baby's communication skills are emerging: They're perhaps the most important ability she'll ever have.
No comments:
Post a Comment