Starting solid food is a major milestone in development There are many milestones in the first year that mark significant changes in the way your child interacts with the world. One of the most radical and elemental of these changes is the introduction of solid food and the transition away from breastmilk (or formula) as […]
infants
Primary Emotions
The very first emotions appear during infancy, mostly from 1 – 7 months or so. They seem to be universal. That is, people all around the world have these emotions and express them in visibly similar ways. We can recognize facial expressions of fear or joy in people from all different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. […]
Attachment Part 4: Infants and Beyond
The Long Term Influence of Attachment Patterns As children grow older the quality of their attachment to their parent influences how much they trust their parents. Parents are an important source of knowledge, advice and information for children and adolescents. Teens and older children are far more likely to rely on and trust parents when […]
The Development of Attachment in Infants, part 3
Infant Attachment part 3: Factors That Influence Attachment Quality of Caregiving The security of attachment is influenced by the quality of care an infant receives. For the most part: ♥ Secure infants have responsive, attuned caregivers Attuned parents are sensitive to their child’s signals. During infancy these parents respond, but do not lead or overwhelm. […]
The Development of Attachment in Infants, part 2
Attachment in Infants Part 2: Studying Attachment: How the Attachment Styles were Identified In 1978 Mary Ainsworth, who had been a student of Bowlby’s, designed a playroom in a laboratory setting that can be used to evaluate the quality of children’s attachments to their mother or other main caregiver. The procedure is known as “the […]
The Development of Attachment in Infants, part 1
Overview Attachment refers to the special feeling of connection older infants come to have for a particular person who cares for them. The deep sense of love and commitment that parents feel for their infant is called a “bond.” You may want to read our introductory article on attachment and how developmental scientists have come […]
Teach or Play??? How little children learn
Hirsh-Pasek, Kathy and Golinkoff, Roberta Michnick with Diane Eyer (2003). Einstein Never Used Flashcards: How our children really learn—and why they need to play more and memorize less. USA: Rodale. ISBN 1-59486-068-8 The authors, both of whom are mothers and professors of psychology, provide a wonderfully written discussion of early brain, cognitive and social development […]
Is Baby Talk Okay??
Baby Talking isn’t just okay, it’s perfect. For babies. A lot of people worry that baby talking to an infant or young child is dumbing things down and should be avoided. Yet if you watch your infant, you’ll notice she responds to the high pitched sounds, exaggerated intonation and simplified words that are characteristic features […]
What is stranger anxiety?
What it is like Babies become very attached to their most important caregiver, usually their mother, and they feel less comfortable, or even quite upset, with people who are unfamiliar. You won’t see real “stranger anxiety” right away; it comes when your baby starts building a trusting connection with you and has gained some understanding […]