Birth to 8 Months: Young Infants
I Learn Who I Am ( A baby's thoughts to mummy)
I learn about my body. I suck on my fingers or hands. I study them.
I discover that my hands and feet are part of me. I can move them.
I learn to trust your love. I learn I can depend on you if you come when I cry.
I feel secure when you hold me in your arms.
I feel good when you smile at me.
I learn my world is safe to explore when you watch over me.
I learn to comfort myself. I may suck my fingers or hands it soothes me.
As I grow, I can wait a few minutes because I have learned you will always come.
I can make things happen. I can shake a rattle and make a sound.
I can kick a mobile and make it move.
I can smile and you will smile back at me.
I Learn About My Feelings
I can show you many feelings pleasure, anger, fear, sadness, excitement and joy. I smile and wiggle to show you I like playing with you.
I frown or cry when you stop paying attention or playing with me.
I laugh aloud sometimes with a belly laugh.
Sometimes I need you to help me with my feelings. I need you to try to understand how I feel.
I need you to comfort me when I am upset or frightened.
I need you to protect me when I feel overwhelmed.
I share my deepest feelings. I know and trust you. My smile is brightest for you.
Sometimes I cry when you pick me up at child care. Sometimes its because Ive missed you. Sometimes Im just fussy. I know youll understand.
I can protest strongly when I am upset. I know you will be there for me no matter what.
Ill show you more of my feelings than I may show others.
I Learn About People, Objects and How Things Work
I can tell the difference between people I know and people I do not know. I recognize my parents voices.
I relax more when I am with you and other people I know.
I sometimes am afraid of strangers. I prefer the special people in my life such as my mom, my dad or my grandmother. I may begin to act differently and fearful of strangers, even at this young age.
I sometimes cry if a stranger gets too close to me or looks at me directly in the eyes.
I may cry or cling to you until I know I am safe with a new person.
I like to be with you. I like to be held by you.
I like to play with you. You are more interesting than any of my toys.
I like you to talk softly and smile at me. I smile and talk back to you.
You are the most important person in my life.
I learn about how the world works. I like to look around and see new things.
I like to play games with you, like peek-a-boo and hide-n-seek.
When I want you to keep playing knee ride, I know I should keep bouncing up and down.
I Learn To Move and Do
At first, my body moves automatically. I search for something to suck.
I turn my head when something blocks my breathing.
I turn my head or close my eyes when it is too bright.
Within a few months, I begin to learn to use my fingers and hands. I put my hand and objects in my mouth.
I can hold something, let go, and get hold of it again.
I can move an object from one hand to another.
Over time, I move my body with purpose. I can hold my head up.
I can roll over.
I can sit without your help.
I have favorite positions. But I like change! It feels good to move from being on my back to my stomach to sitting up.
I can crawl by myself.
I may even be able to stand up if I hold on to you.
I Learn To Communicate and Relate
I can tell you things even as a newborn. I cry to tell you I need you.
I communicate through the expressions on my face and gestures.
I have different cries, facial expressions and body movements to tell you I am sleepy, hungry, wet, frightened, uncomfortable or just need a break.
Within a few months, I develop new ways to communicate. I learn to make many different sounds. I laugh.
I use my sounds, change the expression on my face and move around to get your attention.
Sometimes I may just listen to you I love to hear your voice.
I learn to babble. I make some of the sounds that I hear you use.
Sometimes I try to imitate you. I like you to imitate my sounds too.
My babbling can even start to sound like adult speech...a question, an exclamation, a request, a song...
I like to talk with you even though I dont yet speak words. I may catch your eye and smile to tell you I am ready to communicate with you.
I pay attention to the tone of your voice and the expressions on your face when you talk with me.
I stretch my arms toward you when I want you to pick me up.
I look at you when I am ready to play. When I close my eyes or turn my head away, I am telling you I need a break.
I learn how much fun language can be when you talk, sing and read with me.