The first five years of a child in relations to its growth and development
Most important period of a child’s development is the first five years. The experiences of the children in the first five years are the foundation of their future. It is the parent-child relationship that is a very important factor that shapes the child’s growth and development.
Early child development
Along with physical growth during this stage, you will notice the child’s development social, emotional, behavioral and its communication skills. These skills influence the future of the child.
A child’s brain develops faster in the first 5 years. During this period the child can see, hear, touch, smell and taste stimulating the brain thus laying down foundations for learning. Create a stimulating environment with different activities with plenty to play and learn. This will help in the learning.
Building Relationships: the basics for child development
Relationships are the most important experiences in your child’s environment. Active relationships help the child get practical understanding and experience the world around him or her. Relationships also shape the way the child reacts or responds to the world.
It is during this phase that the child connects with his or her parents. The child also observes the relationship between its parents and other acquaintances. Through these observations and interactions your child learns whether the world is safe and secure, whether she’s loved, Parents need to know that their lives and actions are carefully watched by your little child.
Relationship with teachers, nannies or helpers, other children in the playschool, nurseries or schools also affect the behavior and the mental growth of the child.
Physical activity influences your child’s development
Physical activity plays a very important role in your child’s growth and development. It helps a child to explore, observe, experiment, find solutions and learn. The children during this period of development need the parents’ support and encouragement. The parents must be positive, encouraging and helping so that the child learns to take risks, make mistakes and learn.
The child’s energy level is always very high and this needs to be utilized positively if not, the child will tend to be timid, indecisive. Time spent playing or other physical activities will help the child connect and interact with other children
Children observing parents watching over and spending time with them as they play creates a positive feeling that the parents are caring loving and are involved. This gives confidence to the child to interact in playschools, nurseries as the child grows old.
Other areas that help in shaping the development of the child
The playschool or nursery that the child attends is another most important place next to the home where the child’s mental and physical growth is shaped. The curriculum at the nursery, the kind of teachers and facilities available also help in nurturing the development of the child. The nursery needs to be well equipped to handle all the requirements of a child. This includes food, play, visiting the washroom or the water closet. Cleanliness and facilities available in a playschool or nurseries is an important factor that every parent should check while admitting their child.
What the child eats affects its development
An obese child is a sight that we get to see around us today mainly because of processed food, lack of a healthy diet and eating habits. It is very important for the parents to set up healthy eating habits for the children. Parents also need to ensure that the children eat in time every time. Sleep time is not compromised. Early to bed with 10 to 11 minimum hours of sleep will ensure the child is active and will help in the child’s growth.
Cleanliness and health go hand in hand
Keeping the home and surroundings clean, teaching your child to be clean affects the health and helps in its overall development. Another area for the parents is to make sure that the playschool or the nursery the child goes is clean and managed well. Being with other children the child tends to get infections and other health scares. It is the responsibility of the playschool or nursery to ensure the children are taken cared of. Usually, nurseries have a nurse to take care of children. However, it is good to check with the nursery of facilities available for the child in the case of any eventualities God forbid. Unclean homes, playschools, nurseries or surroundings might affect kids with breathing issues and much more.
As a parent
Being a parent is exciting and challenging. One also learns patience in handling a child. It is the responsibility of a parent to ensure the first five years are handled well as these years happen to be the foundation for the future of the child. The right environment, the right playschool, nursery or kindergarten creates highly influences in the development of the child’s future
