Two to Three Years - Physical Development.

This is a stage of fast development in all directions and often poses problems to parents especially if it is the first child. The seemingly "naughty" behaviour is in fact a normal manifestation of growth and the realization of some new physical power by the child. Try to stop these manifestations only for the child’s safety and that of others, otherwise let the child be. Take it calmly.

Expect this:

i.                    Between two and two-and-half years, the child may be very active, grabbing things and not easily letting go. The child wants to experiment and may either resist sleep or sleep too long due to exhaustion. The appetite varies and the child may be more interested in snacks than the regular meals. Girls find it easier to stay dry than boys and find bathing more enjoyable. Dressing may still be a challenge but they find it easy to undress. The number of teeth at two-and half is usually 21.

ii.                  At three years, the child can run, climb and ride a tri-cycle. They can do many things with hands and feet and may even be able to button and unbutton, hang clothes and girls are faster in this than boys. The child can now eat quietly and smartly with little spilling. They can feed, dress and toilet themselves with very little help if properly trained.

If there is need to control the child’s wild activity, find another channel rather than trying to make them stop it. If the child hurts him/herself, give them attention and sympathy, this goes a long way. Allow the child to feed themselves, give them what they prefer to eat, as long as it is healthy. Make them enjoy feeding and bathing.

Seemingly physical manifestations like stuttering, nail-biting, excessive handing of genitals are almost always signs of mental or emotional tension or unhappiness. Try to find the cause and eliminate or treat it early. Refrain from nagging and unnecessary punishment because this only increases the tension. Give the child enough interesting things to do and give them a chance to play alone and also with other children.

Never try to hurry the child in anything unnecessarily. Unless if really necessary, try not to interfere with the child’s moods, let them grow through them for proper growth. Don’t ever make the child feel that there is anything bad with any part of the human body at this stage. Many children become curious about body parts of the opposite sex, don’t make it an issue. 

One Year to Two Years – Moral and Spiritual Development

Even at two years, the child is still too young to understand abstract differences between right and wrong. The child still depends on approval and disapproval of those he /she loves. Being naughty is just because the child is not yet mature enough to control their behavior. Punishing the child is not of much use.

The best thing is to surround the child with goodness and mercy, that it may follow them all the days of their lives. No Sunday School or moral teaching in later years can take the place of those impressions made by the spirit of the child’s first world, the home. The home creates the type of ground that the seeds of moral teaching will fall on later in life, make the ground fertile in order to reap a hundred fold.

The child may exhibit anger, hatred, fear, jealousy and temper to others but may also show love, affection and kindness to those who appeal to their sympathy. They reflect the moods of those around them, mainly the family.

Help develop the child’s self confidence by encouraging them to do for themselves what they want to try. Impart a feeling of order in the child by showing them where things must be, start my making them arrange their own toys. Praise any small success and encourage any step in the right direction. The child may at this age be taught a simple prayer. For example, to give grace before and after meals.

ALWAYS REFRAIN from anger, irritability, impatience, in yourself and from arousing anxiety, or fear in the child. 

One Year to Two Years – Social and Emotional Development.

The second year in the child’s life is a period of crucial emotional and social development such that those babies in happy families learn to lively happily with other people. 

Most children show affection spontaneously if they are in happy and lovely families. However, if the family is characterized by anger and hatred, the child may develop into and angry and hateful one.

To make the child a happy child, family members should express joyful emotions with dancing, clapping hands and laughing with, not at, the child. Children at this age often express anger and frustration when restrained fro doing what they want to do. They love companionship but may be shy with strangers. They also show sympathy to hurt members of the family, pets and even toys. 

A sense of self, self-ownership and self importance is observed through self-assertion. They often say NO to almost everything if they are always being restrained, but may also say YES to everything if they always get approval. They may sow jealous if there is a new baby. If there is a new baby at this stage, make the older child feel that the new baby belongs to him/her too. Pay extra attention to the older baby so that he/she feels that he/she is as loved as the new baby.

Since the atmosphere at home has greater influence than anything else, always keep it warm, wholesome and as pleasant as possible. Make the child feel secure and allow him/her to be free to develop a healthy outgoing spirit. Allow the child to see others play so that he/she can get used to them. Encourage sharing of toys and make it enjoyable. Don’t force the child to share otherwise the rest will be negative.

NEVER tease the child or allow him/her to be teased, but also don’t encourage the child to show off. The child is still growing; don’t worry about their bad table manners. Avoid punishing the child in a manner which does not teach them anything. Breaking the child’s spirit at this age will have dangerous effects. 

One Year to two Years – Mental Development

The early stages involve enormous mental development which parents normally take for granted. Just imagine, the child is developing from a sucking body to a moving and talking individual, that’s a big thing. It is therefore unwise to push the child beyond their natural rate.

Between 12 and 18 months, most children add up to 10 words in their vocabulary and may start constructing small phrases, never mind the order of the words, try to pick the meaning. The child does not, at this stage, understand the verbal meaning of words, but interprets by associating words with actions. Use proper gestures. Imitation of sounds, actions, gestures of those around them is a sign of good mental development. Children start pretend to be doing things which in reality they don’t know, like reading books and newspapers, and also waving good bye, though they don’t really know what it means.

Be careful and about what you say and how you say it to the child because they may pattern their voices and gestures after you. Try to correct the baby’s speech in a friendly way without nagging. Credit your child with the beginning of any ability to reason. Try buying toys and playthings that encourage imagination. Children at this age like playing with things that they see their parents doing, like cooking, sweeping and reading. Let the child also do tasks like dressing themselves and eating on their own though they do it in a slow and clumsy way. Let the child explore his/her small world as much as he/she can.

It is encouraged to sing simple songs to the child and also with the child. Put pictures in the child’s rooms to aid their imagination and give them soft crayons and papers to play with. Don’t expect any meaningful drawings from there. The child may try to help you in doing tasks, allow them if it’s not dangerous. Start considering nursery school.

If you want the child to do something, don’t try to tell them, rather lead them through. Avoid interrupting the child if he/she is occupied with something. If you feel like explaining something, keep it short and simple. Remember, scolding, nagging, slapping etc are not good ways of teaching anything.

One Year to Two Years – Physical Development

Continue encouraging the child in the traits which he/she may have not fully developed. Encourage confidence, courage, obedience and self-amusement.

Healthy children continue to gain weight and height as well as developing their walking and talking ability. The muscles are developing and the children should be encouraged to play freely though with an adult monitoring them. Some develop feeding problems but this should not be of much concern especially in the presence of the child. Just encourage healthy feeding but try to be gentle because the physical development of the child at this stage depends mainly on his/her emotions. If you suspect that there is a physical problem due to feeding, consult the doctor and keep calm.

This is what to expect of an average child. Yours may be faster or slower than this, don’t worry much, if you suspect anything wrong consult the doctor before consulting friends and elders.

i.                    Between twelve and eighteen months most children sleep for about 13 hours. They usually take one nap during the day. The child may be able to eat using a spoon and drink from a glass but walks in toddling manner. The child may be able to go up and down stairs without help and wants to run around doing errands. The soft spot on the head normally closes at this stage. However there may be variants.

ii.                  At two years the child may run or trot and build blocks, push or pull objects. The child can even cooperate during dressing and undressing. Most children are usually dry during the day and often at night.

When the child has managed to walk, it’s time for shoes and allow the child to get dirty. Put valuables and breakable stuff away from the child as he/she will begin touching things in the house. Allow the child to eat as much as he/she wants and give the child a vacation from the food that he/she does not like, at least for a while so that the baby does not hate eating. When the child throws away food, gently remove the plate and cut down on the portion. The action normally shows that the baby is full. Start new foods gradually and don’t force them on the child. Let the child have fruit juice or a snack between meals if the child becomes cross due to hunger. Slowly cut down on milk if the child has a balanced diet. The most important thing here is to keep the idea of food always pleasant for the child.

If the child sucks the thumb, don’t stop him/her but instead offer something to eat or something to occupy and hence disrupt the child from the sucking. 

Don’t try to teach the child to walk, he/she will walk when ready. If you suspect any problem, consult the doctor first. If the child is left-handed, try not to correct it because this may have more serious psychological consequences than being left-handed.  

Birth to One Year – Moral and Spiritual Development

The standard for right and wrong, as well as good and bad for an infant is the approval or disapproval of other family members otherwise infants have no idea about good and bad. So those people that the infant loves and depends on should show approval of what is good in their behavior and Vice Versa. The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.

Up to the age of one year, a baby is not capable of moral or spiritual understanding and can therefore not be trained in anything that comes properly under these headings. However their personality can be nurtured through the environment and family norms. These should include genuine warmth of feeling, sincere affection, peace, gentleness, kindness and understanding. These factors enable natural moral and spiritual development and it will blossom and flower making the child ready to understand its implications at a later age. The child develops conscience and he/she begins to understand what the people he/she loves think is good or bad, and what they expect.

At one year, most babies become trustful, loving, responsive to parent approval and disapproval. The child realises that obedience is expected of him/her through mild and uniformly repeated correction. The child is not yet old enough to understand moral and spiritual values or abstract ideas.

The parent should teach kindness by surrounding the baby with kindness. Try not to expose the child to situations which instil fear and hatred.   

Birth to One Year – Social and Emotional Development

The term social refers to a very important aspect of child development which involves the child’s responses to and relationships with other people and the ability to become emotionally mature, well adjusted and independent. 

The emotional development starts as soon as the child becomes able to recognize the mother and hence feels secure in the presence of other people. It is the family’s responsibility to nurture this confidence in family.

This is what to expect:

i.                    At four months, the child can smile at the mother and other familiar people.

ii.                  At nine months, the baby can play alone and enjoys being around familiar people. Some children may be shy with strangers.

iii.                At one year, the child can attract attention. The child can also start showing fear, anger, affection, anxiety and jealous. The child can also cry when restrained.

The parent and family should show as much love as possible and show that they enjoy being with the child. Cuddle the child, love him/her, give the child a feeling of warmth and comfort because this is important for future emotional well being. Respond to the child’s moods by showing that you are sympathetic and interested. Use the right tone of voice.

However, in as much as you want the child to be social, DO NOT force him/her to like people or be sociable with strangers. Do not show indifference to the child’s moods because this gives the child a sense of insecurity. Do not be too concerned about the baby’s babyish eating habits, bowel and bladder functions because this will give the child a sense of failure and hence affect the child’s self confidence. Give the child enough time to grow.

From Birth to One Year – Mental Development

Unlike physical development, mental development is very difficult, if not impossible, to monitor on a day to day basis. It can however be noticed in the baby’s increasing alertness, interest in the world around him/her, sensitivity to sounds, shapes, textures and personalities.

A physically healthy baby who feels secure in his/her mother’s love and care shows healthy mental and emotional development. A home full of love, warmth and contentment as well as simplicity and security makes the baby feel loved and belonging. Remember the home is the baby’s world during the first stages of development. Make it lovely in order to develop a positive perception in the child.

This is what to expect in the child:

i.                    At four months, the baby can accurately recognize the mother and other family members and familiar people.

ii.                  At nine months, the baby can make many sounds and speak some few words. The baby can also respond to his/her name and understand the mother’s attitudes and remarks. At this age, the baby can imitate sounds, gestures, facial expressions and enjoys being taken out and seeing around.

iii.                At one year, the baby can listen intently to words and understand a few familiar sentences. The baby can now repeat performances that seem pleasing. So mind what you do in their presence because they can act it out in public. The baby can also respond to repetition, rhythm, music and recognize themselves in the mirror.

It is at this age that a parent should genuinely respond to the baby’s smiles, talk to the baby in simple, rhythmic ways that the child loves. This is also the time to take the baby out and allow him/her to look around and play with simple toys.

At one year, stop talking baby talk since this can retard the baby’s talking ability. The baby understands the attitudes and acts given in speech more than the real words. Do not act or express yourself in a way that you don’t want your baby to learn.

From Birth to One Year – Physical Development

At some time during this stage, children can be encouraged in affection, love and contentment. The newborn baby unfolds like a flower showing disappearance of wrinkles and filling up of some holes on the body. The early stages are spent sleeping and the child’s energy is spent on growth and adjustment to the environment. The mother should observe the child, taking note of breathing and any signs of irritation. Remember at the early stage the baby only communicates through crying and groaning. A baby brought up in an atmosphere of  security, loving warmth, happy laughter, common sense and comfort is most likely to be a happy adult.

The choice of a physician for the baby is important and a wise,  sympathetic and tolerant one who understands babies is the best choice. A natural mother’s instincts are more important during the stage than any other form of advice. A mother who takes care of her baby happily and conscientiously brings up a happy child. Love your baby for what he/she is rather than what you want the baby to be, don’t compare your baby to someone else’s baby, rather be happy with your baby. Babies can sense love and hatred so there is no need to pretend.

This is what to expect of average children.

i.                    At one month, most babies can move head and eyes, can open and close fists, cry, steadily gain weight and strength.

ii.                  At four months, they can see many things, hold up the head, may tremble and be easily startled. Some children can start eating some solid food, roll or bang the head, can be held on sitting position and can smile and also even laugh. Some children can start sucking the thumb.

iii.                At nine months, some children can roll, others can sit steadily or even take their first steps while holding on to something. If something is put close to the child, the child may reach for it and start put things into the mouth. The child can also manage to sleep through the night. Most children have two teeth that may start coming out even at seven months.

iv.                At one year, the bowel movement can become more regular and the child can feed using fingers. Some children can stand alone at take a few steps while they may need help to sit down after getting up. The child may have up to six teeth and can eat alone, even drinking from a cup. The soft spot on the head may close any time between nine months and two years. However, some  can close earlier or later.

This is what you are expected to do for your child at this stage:

i.                    Make sure the baby is registered with the registrar of birth

ii.                  Nurse your baby and enjoy it as much as you can. This is important physically and psychologically

iii.                Circumcise baby boy at two weeks if the doctor approves unless if you want to let the child decide at a later stage.

iv.                Keep the baby’s clothes simple and washable, babies get dirty at this stage.

v.                  Let the baby’s digestive system determine the feeding times rather than schedules and time slots. The baby is using energy in movement and activities and this may change feeding patterns.

vi.                Allow the baby to stop eating if he/she is no longer interested. Make the child enjoy feeding time, this will have a great impact at later stages.

vii.              Vitamin D from the sun and Vitamin C from orange juice is important to the child. Sunbathe your child and make sure he/she has fresh air at all times.

viii.            Learn to recognise any signs of child illnesses including rash, abnormal bowel movement or any changes. It is best to get a doctor’s opinion always.

ix.                Supply the baby with stuff to chew while teething otherwise the baby will eat dirty stuff.

x.                  Always try to discover why a child cries and remove the cause.

xi.                Take it easy, keep a sense of balance and enjoy your baby at each stage of development.

Avoid being interrupted during nursing and never allow anyone with a cold or fever near your baby. Don’t risk your child by trying to be socially acceptable. 

Your child development is in your hands, its your duty to make sure it is not disturbed. At this stage, animal mother instincts are very reliable. Protect your child but don’t try to enforce anything yet.

Good Character Development for Children.

Education is only important if it teaches us how to live. Character is the basis for living richly and fully. Good character is the rock bed on which good living can be built. Character in a child is developed slowly by being nurtured by parents who have good character themselves.  However this is only true if the child is taught to love the parents otherwise the child will develop into a complete opposite of the parents. Parents must also understand that character grows out of a child’s multi-sided development and a sense of emotional security.

The basic aspects of child development are:

i.                     Physical development

ii.                   Mental development

iii.                  Social and emotional development

iv.                 Moral and spiritual development.

Child development differs with children, therefore if the child is ahead of schedule, it does not imply that he/she is a genius, also if a child is behind schedule, it doesn’t mean the child is dull either. Gender, racial, cultural and regional differences also affect child development, but in any way, the goal should be to develop good character in the child.

Pediatricians, child psychologists and other child-study experts advise that more attention should be paid to the emotional and psychological development of the child because many bad habits are a result of fear, insecurity, nervous tension loneliness and above all, too little “mothering”, too little warmth and too little love.

Babies advance at different rates and hence it is advised to go by individual baby’s rhythm than by the clock or calendar.  It is believed that babies go from one stage to another on their own when they are physically, mentally and emotionally ready to do so.

This blog is based on expert knowledge presented by several Scholars in the CHILD DEVELOPMENT MANUAL that I stumbled upon. Unfortunately, the copy is so tattered that I am trying to make a reconstruction of the contents to my best ability. Relevant references will be cited wherever necessary.

Below are pictures of the First Pages of the Source. I would want to acknowledge that I am just sharing their content and have just added my experience with reference to the content.

Lets develop our children together

Prof Arthur Mutambara at Harare Technological Exhibitions

Alick Macheso Supports Pengaudzoke after the passing on of Daiton Somanje

This performance was done at Junction 24 Leisure Centre along Harare Chitungwiza Road. Much Braai and Drinks there and some scenic features.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7YyDO2rbRM

Zimbabwe is still entertaining, just know where to go

The Cost of Energy Per House Hold in Zimbabwe - True Statistics

Knowledge is power. This can be shown by the table presented below. Among the low income earners, the rich ones use Gas for cooking, Energy Savers for lighting, and Electricity for entertainment. This gives an average energy bill of US$ 18.28 per month. The not so rich use electric stoves for cooking, incandescent bulbs for lighting, and electricity for entertainment. This gives an average energy bill of US$23.64. However, the poor use Firewood for cooking, candles for lighting and a battery powered radio for entertainment. This gives an average energy bill of about US$75.93. This means that poor countries will remain poor if the energy issue is not transformed.

Check the statistics from Authorities