TIPS FOR PARENTS
How to Encourage Healthy Physical Development in Kids
THE BREAST IS BEST (AT LEAST FOR THE FIRST 6 MONTHS)
During the first two years of a child's life, nutrition is critical because of the rapid amount of growth of both the brain and the body. Breast milk has been shown to be the best option in infancy due to it's higher fat and lower protein content and also the unique fats and proteins that it does have. Breast milk does not need to be supplemented with other foods until the baby is 6 months old. Breast fed babies tend to be leaner which may prevent obesity later in life. Antibodies are transferred from mom to baby to enhance the immune system. Breastfed babies also tend to have fewer illnesses and allergic reactions. Breastfeeding prevents malocclusion and protects against tooth decay. Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from gastrointestinal problems and constipation due to a different bacteria which grows in the guts of breastfed babies. Because breast milk is so digestible, breast fed babies are hungry every few hours, which can be a challenge for working moms. The mother-infant relationship does not appear to suffer at all for bottle-fed babies in industrialized nations which is something mothers fear who do not or cannot breast feed. (Berk, 2012)
TUMMY TIME AND MORE (2-6 months)
- Babies between 2 and 6 months should be placed on the floor on their tummies for tummy time! Make sure baby is in a safe area to move around. Place toys close by to encourage baby to roll, crawl, etc.
- Movement helps babies learn how to balance their bodies and maintain control. Bounce baby up and down on your lap, sway side to side when holding baby to aid in this development
- Babies learn by observing and listening to you! Playfully interacting with your baby, cooing, reading to them, doing raspberries, playing pat a cake, etc. are all important ways of increasing sensory information and improving brain development.
- Reference: (Zero to Three. Retrieved from www.zerotothree.org/reprints)
BECOMING MOBILE (6-18 months)
- Baby will start to sit up, crawl, pull themselves up and cruise and walk all within this time period
- Place baby on his/her back with toys to either side to encourage him/her to move to reach them
- Place pillows on the floor to make an obstacle course to encourage baby to crawl through
- Play music and hold babies hands while standing so he/she can bounce to the music
- Encourage baby to stretch by putting toys inside boxes so he/she has to reach and stretch to get the toys out
- Movement is important as the exercise helps strengthen trunk muscles and limbs
- Once baby starts walking, provide toys for baby to push or pull to encourage walking
- Make sure baby has large, open, safe place to move around and push/pull toys
- Provide safe, low objects for baby to climb on
- Place favorite toys across the room and have baby go get specific toys and bring them to you (Zero to Three. Retrieved from www.zerotothree.org/reprints)
OFF AND RUNNING (18-36 months)
- Gross motor (large muscles) and fine motor (smaller muscles) are really developing during this time
- To encourage gross motor skill building, make safe obstacle courses in your home or yard
- Make indoor play areas which include large blocks to climb on and blankets to build forts
- Provide a lot of opportunities for baby to walk, run, climb and explore
- To encourage fine motor skill building, provide opportunities for baby to write or draw with crayons, markers, pencils
- Toys such as puzzles, play dough, dolls and doll clothes, stringing beads, small figures, toy cars, nesting toy, etc. provide good opportunities for the use of hands and fingers
- Allow children to eat with a spoon and fork and allow them to help dress themselves
- Read books together and encourage the child to turn the pages
- Right and left hand preferences are developing so let children do things independently to see how this is developing. Allow kids to put on their own shoes, button or zipper their coat, wash their hands
- Provide opportunities for finger painting, painting with brushes, playing instruments and playing dress up. (Zero to Three: Retrieved from www.zerotothree.com/reprints)
HOT TOPIC: POTTY TRAINING
- Physiologically, toddlers are not ready to be potty trained until after 24 months of age
- At this point, children can better recognize the signals they receive when their bladder or rectum are full and they can release these muscles at the appropriate place and time
- Children who are bothered by a wet or dirty diaper and stay dry for several hours are showing signs of readiness
- Potty training before 27 months just seems to delay the process
- A regular toileting schedule, encouragement and praise are the keys to successful potty training at the time when children are developmentally and physically ready (Berk, 2012).