1.1 Explain the pattern of development in the first three years of life and the skills typically acquired at each stage.
From birth to the age of 3 children progress greatly, considering they are born with only simple reflexes and are helpless and dependent on adults to feed and care for them.
At birth babies are born with many actions that are done without thinking, these are called reflexes, and many of these reflexes are carried out in order to survive.
To ensure a baby can feed they have a swallowing and sucking reflex. To help a baby find food they move their head to look for a nipple or teat if their cheek or mouth is touched this is called rooting. Babies have a grasping reflex by where they will automatically grab whatever is placed in their hand if it touches their palm. If there is a loud sound or bright light babies will perform their startle reflex, they will raise their arms and clench their fists. If a baby is held with their feet touching a hard surface they will perform the walking and standing reflex by making stepping movements.
At 1 month babies change a great deal, they begin to settle into a pattern and still sleep a lot of the time but they will gradually begin to stay awake for longer periods. They cry to communicate their needs and may vary their cry dependant on a particular need. At this age babies are also learning about their parents or carers and may stop when they hear their voice, they coo when they are content. They can focus at a distance of around 20 -30 cm but try to focus on the face of who is holding them. While asleep they smile fleetingly, this is usually done when they are content.
At 3 months they have grown a lot in both height and weight. Some babies may now know the difference between day and night and are able to sleep through the night. They are now able to lift and turn their head and begin to notice mobiles and other objects that are around them. They are now more alert and sleep less during the day. They now know their parents voice and smile quite a lot, especially when they see a smiling face.
At 6 months babies have learnt
At birth babies are born with many actions that are done without thinking, these are called reflexes, and many of these reflexes are carried out in order to survive.
To ensure a baby can feed they have a swallowing and sucking reflex. To help a baby find food they move their head to look for a nipple or teat if their cheek or mouth is touched this is called rooting. Babies have a grasping reflex by where they will automatically grab whatever is placed in their hand if it touches their palm. If there is a loud sound or bright light babies will perform their startle reflex, they will raise their arms and clench their fists. If a baby is held with their feet touching a hard surface they will perform the walking and standing reflex by making stepping movements.
At 1 month babies change a great deal, they begin to settle into a pattern and still sleep a lot of the time but they will gradually begin to stay awake for longer periods. They cry to communicate their needs and may vary their cry dependant on a particular need. At this age babies are also learning about their parents or carers and may stop when they hear their voice, they coo when they are content. They can focus at a distance of around 20 -30 cm but try to focus on the face of who is holding them. While asleep they smile fleetingly, this is usually done when they are content.
At 3 months they have grown a lot in both height and weight. Some babies may now know the difference between day and night and are able to sleep through the night. They are now able to lift and turn their head and begin to notice mobiles and other objects that are around them. They are now more alert and sleep less during the day. They now know their parents voice and smile quite a lot, especially when they see a smiling face.
At 6 months babies have learnt