Infancy and Toddlerhood

Infant and Toddler Physical Development-

Infants are pretty much fully dependent on adults physically. They move based on reflexes: the
breathing reflex, the sucking reflex, and the rooting reflex are survival reflexes. Motor skills stem from
early reflexes: crawling develops from the swimming reflex; walking and learning to grasp are extensions
of the stepping and the palmar grasp reflexes. An infant until about three months at this age should be
able to lying on tummy, lifts and holds head up, moves legs and arms off of surface when excited.
Infant and Toddler Language Development-
Crying and babbling are precursors to language. Their language is not intentional but related to
affect. Around 6 months, babbling is used to try to imitate sounds that they hear. First words usually
begin around 10 months. At 9-12 months, infants should be able to express emotions and show anxiety
when separated from their primary care giver, calming down and soothing themselves is milestone of self-
regulation. . Between 6 and 8 months, they start to organize speech into the phonemic categories of their
own language” (Berk, 2013)

Infant and Toddler Cognitive Development-

At ages four months the infant should be moving objects with eyes, recognizes familiar objects,
can find hidden objects. Age 10 to 12 months the child responds to music, imitates gestures, begins to
explore cause and effect, begins using objects correctly (drinking from cup, holding a phone to their ear).
“They show that they can see things far away by pointing at them and gesturing” (Developmental
Milestones, 2012).
Infant and Toddler Atypical Development Signals-
At the age of six months an infant should be able to roll over. If an infant is unable to roll over
this may signal atypical development. At about age six months if the baby isn’t rolling over, be sure to
continue supporting them, putting them on their stomach and having them set up in a high chair or boppy
to continue to provide support for their head and neck.
Infant and Toddler Strategies that Influence Development-
Cultural influences impact a infants development in many different ways. As some cultures
believe that children, even infants, need to soothe themselves, rather than the parent holding them and
soothing them. This will impact the child's development drastically if their needs are not being met.
Infants that do not receive comfort when upset can cause their cognitive, and social/emotional
development to be delayed and even insecure attachments. One cultural influence that impacts a toddler’s
development is how diverse cultures believe that when a child gets hurt to not spoil them, while others
feel you should pick them up. Depending on which culture is depending if it impacts the child’s life in a
negative or positive way.
Two Play-Based Strategies

One play-based learning strategies parents can use with infants is to tummy time. Tummy time is
amazing for strengthening the infants neck and arm muscles. Using toys to catch the infants attention so
they will have them pushing up and looking for the toys which also strengthens their cognitive
development.
The second play-based learning strategy that aid in the development of an infant is hiding a toy and
allowing them to track the toy and find it. Parents can use a blanket and cover the toy. Then the infant will
look for the toy.

Berk, L. E. (2013). Child development. (9th ed.). https://content.ashford.edu/

Developmental Milestones Birth to 12 Months. (2012). Retrieved

from http://www.ocd.pitt.edu/Files/PDF/Foster/27758_ocd_DM_b-12.pdf