The Urban Child Institute has just released its newest report on children in Memphis and Shelby County. Now in its 9th edition, the annual publication has come to be seen as the most authoritative source of local information and data about early childhood development.
As parents and caregivers, we want to create environments that help our children reach their fullest potential. We pay attention to their "firsts", chart their length and weight, and keep track of diapers and feedings. But there are also other things we can pay attention to that will ensure our little ones are progressing along the right path.
Can your baby feel or imagine another person’s emotions? Is your toddler capable of showing sympathy for others? Some people think that kids don’t develop these abilities until after the age of three. But it isn’t true. From the beginning, babies show a remarkable sensitivity to our emotional cues, and, with our support, they can develop some pretty impressive empathic skills.
One of the great joys of parenting is watching our children play. It may start when your baby first grasps a small toy and pulls it closer for a good look. Watching children play and playing along with them is fun, and it’s also a window into their social and cognitive development.
Maslow’s Hierarchy consists of five levels of human needs, generally represented in a pyramid. To fully develop emotionally, people must reach the top of the pyramid, but they have to have their more basic needs met first — physical, safety, love, and self-esteem.
This month, we'll be focusing on developmental milestones—the things most children can do by a certain age. But it's important to remember that children do not develop according to a predetermined schedule. There is a great deal of natural variation in when children reach a certain milestone.