2. Research has found that most people do not have a clear understanding of
child development activities and how they need to nurture babies in a way
that will help them grow into robust, smart and healthy adults. Ignoring this
fundamental responsibility can be extremely harmful to children, limiting
their progress and potential later on in life.
The years between 0 to 5 are extremely sensitive because this is when the
brain grows the fastest and is more easily impacted by positive and negative
experiences. Remember, a child’s brain reaches 80% of its adult volume by
age three.
A little awareness will go a long way
3. All of us are aware that the growth of a baby begins in the womb as a single
cell. Gradually developing during the weeks and months of pregnancy and
forming into organs and limbs, preparing for life in the world after the baby is
born.
Growth doesn’t stop after birth either but is a continuous process. It is also
the time when the limbs, organs and muscles are particularly vulnerable and
prone to injury. This is the reason why supporting a baby’s head, posture and
positioning in its first few weeks of life becomes very critical.
Early childhood development is sequential
4. Child development can be assessed based on four key parameters: physical,
intellectual, emotional and social. While these are distinct and separate, they
are interdependent and closely linked. The growth of one trait has an impact
on the other. For instance, as a child’s intellect grows and sharpens, it will
affect the child’s curiosity levels.
So take a real close look at these factors to understand how important they
are and how deeply they are all interconnected.
Traits to keep track of
5. As the baby grows, the bigger muscles in the back, arms and legs and neck
develop. These help the baby to roll, crawl, sit upright, move arms and legs,
stand and make the first of the many attempts to start walking. Gross (large
muscle movements) and fine (small movements) motor skills contribute to
the overall physical development of the baby.
While fine motor skills are the smaller physical movements, they rely upon
the baby gaining more strength and control over the smaller muscles in the
hands, wrist and fingers. These muscles help in gripping a crayon, pencil, or
paintbrush, and play a big role in helping to form letters and in writing.
Physical
6. Research has found that a child’s cognitive skills develop the most in the early
years than at any other time in their lives. Newborns have a natural interest in
the world and take great interest in looking at shapes and objects, and
respond to different sounds and gestures.
A child’s brain does most of its development during early childhood, so a
thorough stimulation from a young age supports positive brain development
and curiosity.
Intellectual
7. Emotional development in essence involves learning what feelings and
emotions are, understanding how and why they happen, recognising these
feelings and those of others, and developing effective ways of managing
these feelings.
Babies are born with the ability to show Basic emotions such as happiness or
distress are emotions babies are born with. It is through a baby’s expression
of these emotions that parents will know how to respond and decipher what
their baby needs. Your baby will begin displaying more emotions as she gets
older.
Emotional
8. Most children are inherently social, creative and motivated to exchange ideas,
thoughts, questions and feelings. Babies use gestures, and movements, and
exhibit visual and non-verbal cues, and sounds, to engage and develop
relationships.
By planning experiences with a focus on conversation and social skills, a
parent can promote positive interaction and communication. This will help
young children to successfully communicate their wants and needs, and
nurture meaningful relationships with their peers.
Social
9. Newborn:
● Communicates through cries
● Sees best from 8 to 10 inches away
One month:
● May respond to familiar sounds
● Notices faces
Physical Milestones Checklist during the first 12
months
10. Two months:
● Begins to lift head during tummy time
● Starts to smile at you
Three months:
● Opens and closes hands
● Follows moving objects
● Likes to play & interacting
Physical Milestones Checklist during the first 12
months
11. Four months:
● May begin teething
● Holds the head up unsupported
● Starts to smile & chuckle
Five months:
● Babbles and makes sounds with mouth
● May be able to distinguish between colours
Physical Milestones Checklist during the first 12
months
12. Six months:
● Begins to try sitting up
● Reaches for toys and places them in the mouth
● Enjoys looking at themselves in the mirror
Seven months:
● Loves dropping things on the floor
● Starts to copy sounds & gestures
Physical Milestones Checklist during the first 12
months
13. Eight months:
● May begin to crawl
● Starts to lean over to pick up toys
Nine months:
● Sits up unassisted
● Points out at things
● Responds to their name
Physical Milestones Checklist during the first 12
months
14. Ten months:
● Can pick up things with thumb & index finger
● Develops separation anxiety
Eleven months:
● Can climb steps while assisted
● Learns to adjust tonal sounds, (more like speech)
Physical Milestones Checklist during the first 12
months
15. Twelve months:
● Pulls up to stand and may attempt to walk holding onto furniture
● May start to call out to parent Mama or Dada
● Uses basic gestures, like waving and shaking their head
● Starts to use things correctly, like brushes and cups
Physical Milestones Checklist during the first 12
months
16. My Gym involves children in dynamic games, physical activity and movement
that help in building neural networks in the brain. Making it easier for
children to acquire intellectual skills, navigate complex social situations, and
nurture emotional development.
conclusion
17. My Gym Buona Vista
35, Rochester Drive,
Rochester Mall, #03-24/25/26
Singapore 138639
Phone: (+65) 6684 9220
My Gym Jurong East
3 Gateway Drive, Westgate, #04-
39
Singapore 608532
Phone: (+65) 6465 9205
My Gym Punggol
681 Punggol Drive,
Oasis Terrace, #03-02/03/04
Singapore 820681
Phone: (+65) 6787 1178
My Gym Tampines
300 Tampines Avenue 5,
NTUC Income, #05-05,
Singapore 529653
Phone: (+65) 6789 7061
Our Branches:
My Gym Parkway Parade
80 Marine Parade Road,
#15-03 Parkway Parade,
Singapore 449269
Phone: (+65) 6440 9916
My Gym Great World
1 Kim Seng Promenade
#03-106 Great World City
Singapore 237994
Phone: (+65) 6235 4070
