• About/Contact
  • Disclosure | Privacy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Sponsorship
  • Home

Tips, activities and support for staying home with your children and joyfully surviving it!

  • Mom Survival Store
  • Complete Guide for SAHMs
  • Kids Activities
    • Infant Activities
    • Toddler Activities
    • Preschool Activities
      • Preschool at Home Curriculum
    • School Age Activities
    • Free or Cheap Kids Activities
  • Motherhood
    • Motivation
      • Me time
    • Homemaking
      • Organization
      • Quick Tips
      • Recipes
    • Faith
    • Parenting
    • Marriage
  • Natural Living
    • Young Living Starter Kit
    • Essential Oils Recipes
    • Cleaning Tips

Crash Course in Child Development: Infants

December 5, 2011 by Jaimi Erickson 6 Comments

Ready to have the ENERGY to be the best mom you can be? Get started! Thanks for stopping by!

Welcome back! Did you already get started here?

Learn about infant develpoment with this crash course in child development: infants version from a former teacher and stay-at-home mom to 4.
If you ask most Stay-at-Home Parents of infants, they search for activities to keep their infant entertained and learning. This crash course in child development: infants will help identify what your baby can do with you to keep growing and learning.

 

In reality, A LOT of repetition is FANTASTIC  for the brain development of your baby from birth to 18 months.  Don’t look at this stage of your child’s development as boring, because it is a very peaceful time-toddler hood will arrive before you know it! Don’t be fooled. Infants are learning a lot from their interactions with you, and they will need a lot of cuddling to develop into confident children.

 Crash Course in Child Development: Infants

Learning for infants is limited to using the 5 senses and the limited  motor skills to explore. The main cognitive (or ‘thinking’) goal is developing the awareness that  something exists even if it is not seen.  This ability is called ‘object permanence’.  Infants only ‘know’ what they can touch, taste, see, hear, or smell.

 

Around 4-5 months old, an infant develops the awareness that they are separate from you.  It is at this young age that the ‘sense of self’ begins to form. It can also mean that your baby will wake up more frequently at night, again. Your child needs reassurance that you are still there. Sleep deprivation in motherhood is hard, but often it is helpful for your child.

 

Infants are beginning to develop trust (or  learning to mistrust) based on whether their physical needs and emotional needs are being met. 

 

Consistently attending to an infant’s needs (feeding, diapering, comforting) in a loving manner, teaches them to trust you and the world apart from them.  “Infants need what they need when they need it” (The Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers, p. 33). 

 

If infants do not have these needs met in a loving and prompt manner, they learn to mistrust and doubt. This is not a good track for raising a competent adult.

 

Infant Development Tips

A lot of learning blooms around the infants stage between 4-8 months:

 

-Your  infant knows you exist when you are away
-They know they are a separate  being…the world begins to become a BIG place.  This is what causes separation anxiety to sprout.
-Your baby begins to learn they are not a part of you (physically).
-They know you exist, and when you leave they know you are not with them.  Infants feel ‘alone,’ in a sense, when they are unfamiliar with an environment or a caregiver.  We adults know we will be coming back, but the child at this age does not.

 

It is not until your child enters the toddler stage of child development that he/she can maintain a mental image, or memory, of you when you are gone. So, when you are frustrated that ‘crying it out’ is not working well, you can know that your child does not understand where you are and wants the security of knowing you are still around.  Promptly and lovingly meeting your infant’s needs teaches them to trust you and trust others.

 

Check out the Infant Activities page for activities to help your infant develop object permanence and better motor control.  There is a variety. The activities are created to emphasize the skills that your infant needs to learn with a lot of repetition!

 

Spark your infants language development with tips and activities shared by a speech language pathologist.
I also use a developmental checklist to help guide what to teach my infant. It gives an idea of what they can learn during this developmental stage. Use it as a guide, not a Bible for your child’s developmental pace.

I never hear mothers tell me, “I wish I spent less time with my children,” but I always hear the advice: “Soak up this time with them. It goes by so fast!”

Now that my children are all past the infant stage, I agree! The moments of exhaustion pass, but in that stage you develop a bond with your child that will not break.

 

(Reference: The Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers)
All about infant development and tips for parenting infants. Great resource of infant needs.

This post is featured in A Complete Guide for Stay-at-Home Moms: Parenting Tips & Resources for Feeding and Caring for Baby.
 
Find resources for implementing routines and schedules in your home. Printables and suggested schedules make it so easy!
Successful Mom Daily Checklist to help you gain balance between housework and play time with the kids. Get more done, and feel more successful as a mom and homemaker.

Enjoy your time at home!

Your Name

Filed Under: motherhood, parenting Tagged With: babies, baby, child development, children, infants

Comments

  1. Nat says

    July 4, 2017 at 9:47 pm

    Enjoyed this post. I have a two months old and a toddler. I understand so much what you mean about the peacefulness of the infant stage! The wobbly head and the smiles are so precious, Especially I love the moments they little baby is dozed off to sleep in the arms, or in a baby carrier on me. Most still and peaceful state I ever experienced.

    Reply
    • Jaimi says

      July 21, 2017 at 3:37 pm

      I agree. Those peaceful moments are sweet, and before we know it our baby grows! It goes so quickly. Enjoy all of it!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Peace of Mind with a New Baby - The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide says:
    June 7, 2016 at 1:11 am

    […] learned a lot about babies and young children before having my own. I summed up major points about infant development as a crash course for parents. It will help you understand what to expect-and what to watch out for-with a new baby and growing […]

    Reply
  2. Peace of Mind with a New Baby - The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide says:
    June 7, 2016 at 1:11 am

    […] learned a lot about babies and young children before having my own. I summed up major points about infant development as a crash course for parents. It will help you understand what to expect-and what to watch out for-with a new baby and growing […]

    Reply
  3. Why I Don't Use Daycare - The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide says:
    August 31, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    […] out these posts for more on each developmental stage: Infant Development Toddler Development Preschool Development […]

    Reply
  4. Infant Language Development Tips and Activities {Guest Post} says:
    August 19, 2015 at 10:51 pm

    […] More Information on Infant Development: Crash Course in Child Development: Infants Infant Activities: ****************************************************** Thank you […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow Me on Instagram!

sahmsg_jaimi

✌️ New motto. New mood. Let’s call this an i ✌️ New motto. New mood. Let’s call this an installment of things I learned in almost 40 years. 😅

Criticism is not something to deliver then cut and run. It only holds value in close relationships where a relationship will continue after the news is delivered. 

Criticism is thrown around like it costs nothing these days. Worse is when we deliver it and then bail on the receiver. 

I love teaching my kids life lessons in the moments where I hear them say something that catches my attention. Being present makes that so much easier. Especially teaching my girls how to navigate friendships with other girls is made easier with learning big lessons myself.

Loving people really does mean saying the nice things and when necessary saying the hard things...with full intent to be there to take the ramifications of delivering the truth and support the person through hearing it. 

If you find yourself delivering hard truth to friends but then ditching them to wrestle with the news alone, stop delivering truth. Truly. The love behind it disappears when we cut and run after. 

Love people. Without end. Especially during the pivotal tough points in relationships. 

Only the really good, long term relationships sprout from these interactions IF we stick around to build them through the tough moments. 💗 

Bless and release. All relationships benefit. 

#timetolove #timetolovewell #lovewell #dontcutandrun #itsworthstickingaround #truth #delivertruth #receivetruth #belove #loveishard #serveothers #servicemindset #friends #friendship #relationshipsthatlast #peopleneedpeople #teachthemwell #raisethemup #motherhoodmoments #realmotherhood #inspiredmotherhood #beinspired #inspiredparenting
My kids climbing trees, playing with friends and g My kids climbing trees, playing with friends and getting to socialize is priceless right now.

There are two worlds developing lately. Here in NC other than a wearing a mask now and then, life is pretty normal. This is our world. 

I am so thankful. Praying for normal to get back to your area soon. 💛 Life is better lived with others. 

#getoutside #playtime #nclife #camplejeunelife #camplejeunenc #eastnc #easternnc #outdoorplay #homeschoolgroup #homeschoolinginnc #homeschoollife #freedom #livinglife #normallife #fridayvibes #timewithfriends
As far as our home and homeschool, 2021 has been a As far as our home and homeschool, 2021 has been a dream so far! 

Kids are eager to learn and ask for more, we have a system down, and I am even getting rest time in the evening after the kitchen is cleaned up. My husband and I get time together while the kids are still awake which is important for them to see. 

It has taken some realization of truth to create this peace and balance. Teaching my kids is a full time job. I am giving it that time this year and it is making all the difference. #shed #deadweightisgone #focusonthepresent #focusonfamily #thisismywork #homeschoolingmom #homeschoolingmama #homeschoolisafulltimejob #intentionalhomeschooling #intentionalmotherhood #intentionalmama #wifeandmother #homemakingmotivation #schoolathome #lifebalance
How long have you known your spouse? This guy an How long have you known your spouse? 

This guy and I met our senior year of high school. What a journey we were in for and did not ever realize! 

•4 kids + 1 miscarriage
•Navigating long distance relationship while dating, engaged and married
•Working to build faith as the center and focus of “us”
•Loving each other at our ugliest moments
•Building our home team for the long term

Every time the world feels heavy, chaotic, and strange, our marriage is a safe place. It makes our home calm amongst the storm of global politics. 

I have grown content with our imperfections- because there are much bigger problems to navigate in the world...am I right?! 😳

That brings me so much peace. 

Loving not only how well we work together but also the ways we still need to improve. That is where I am in my marriage. Grateful to have so much history with this guy. It fills my tank for all the years we have ahead of us to navigate as well. 

#marriedtomybestfriend #cliche #iknowtoomuch #humorinmarriage #truelove #imperfectlove #imperfectmarriage #beingcontent #marriagegoals #letGodlead #marriagecenteredonfaith #longtermgoals
It does not matter if you are a man or a woman, yo It does not matter if you are a man or a woman, you can not do it all well. 

Hi, my name is Jaimi and sometimes I deliver truth that cuts to the heart. 👌😉

Women have been fed a lie that they can and need to juggle it all. I have learned to juggle. Eventually balls fall. 

As I took on more because I was told all that mattered was my mindset, I inevitably had to set aside the tasks that God called me to do first. We never take on more and more and more and stay in balance without setting aside more than we should.

It is not a matter of mindset, it is a matter of priorities.

Have you heard of the “one thing every day”? Many make that a clean kitchen, workout completed or devotional time. My one this is my family. If I focus on them each day I feel successful. 

In my home there is peace. The world is in chaos, power has become currency, and morals have fallen away. But “me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

It has nothing to do with gender. No one can take on something new without setting aside something they were working on already. 

Peace and order in my home is worth it. I am setting aside the things that bring chaos into my life and home. I am only focusing on the things that serve God here. 

What have you done to focus on success with completing your priorities this year? Have you made small changes to get there or large leaps?

#2021 #familyisnumber1 #familyovereverything #settingintentions #2021goals #serviceworks #intentionalmotherhood #intentionalwomen #traditionalmotherhood #homemakerlife #homemakinggoals #peacebeforechaos #choosepeace #godispeace #godislove #loveistruth #truthspeaker #truthseeker #godlywoman #godlywomanhood #pridetakesabackseat #prideisgone #humblethyself
Today we took the Christmas decorations down. It m Today we took the Christmas decorations down. It marked the real start of 2021 for us. 

For some reason I am feeling ready for Spring cleaning. Funny enough, as I was cleaning out some flower pots that had gone a little stagnant over the colder weeks, I saw shoots! My plants think Spring is on its way-it has been warm here over the last few days. 

Being greeted by this view as we were piling into the van this morning, felt energizing. 

My steps heading in to 2021 are more careful, pragmatic. It feels good to feel on course, back to what matters most, and have zero guilt for what I will put on the back burner this year to stay focused on giving my family my best. 

#Godslight #morning #morningview #sunrise #waterview #energy #healing #balance #balanceasamom #sayingseeyoulater #focusonthegood #focusongoals #familygoals #familylife #motivatedmama #pragmaticsteps #homeschoolmom #homeschoolinglife #homeschoolmama #2021goals #momlife #mom2021 #traditionalfamily #conservativemamas #familyfirst
"The only rock I know that stays steady, the only "The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works, is the family." - Lee Iacocca 

#quotes #quoteoftheday #perfectlove #imperfectpeople #family #familyfirst #lifegoal #stayathomemom #theworkisworthit #familywork #inspiredmotherhood #motherhoodrising #motherhoodjourney #momstagram #momstrong #sahmoms #sahmgoals #sahmjourney
Anyone else having about 3 Christmases with shippi Anyone else having about 3 Christmases with shipping challenges delaying packages? 🤣🤣

With family all long distance + the twins birthday 2 days after Christmas we end up with about 4 gift opening sessions over the course of Christmas week. I see no complaints from these kids. 😆 

How did package shipping go for you this year? Do you plan ahead for shipping gifts? 

We are definitely grateful for giving family. #christmasweek #giftopening #givinggifts #moregifts #feelingloved #holiday2020 #familytime2020
⭐️ LIVE GROWTH EVENT ⭐️ Bringing mamas / b ⭐️ LIVE GROWTH EVENT ⭐️
Bringing mamas / bloggers / smalls shops and influencers together! Make connections with your target market!! 
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Follow these steps below to join the Loop 👇🏼👇🏼
➡️ Follow me ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
➡️ Like this post 
➡️ Go to @motherhoodconnectiontribe and follow all directions on their post!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
👉🏼👉🏼 Like my 5 most recent and I will return!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ That’s it! Thanks for joining me & Happy Looping ✌🏻
.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
.⁣⁣⁣⁣
.⁣⁣⁣⁣
.⁣⁣⁣⁣
#motherhoodsocial #motherhoodconnectiontribe
Scanning old pics for our little pug and this one Scanning old pics for our little pug and this one made me laugh! Grumpy pug face on Maybelle and Henry. 🤣 Oh memories are sweet. 

#pugs #kids #twinmom #pugmom #rip #memories #2020 #motherhoodsocial
To whom much is given, much is expected. I have To whom much is given, much is expected. 

I have nothing but gratitude for this year, these people, and this life. 

Merry Christmas from us to you! 

#christmasgreeting #merrychristmas #christmas2020 #allgoodthings #towhommuchisgiven #abundantlyblessed #blessedbeyondmeasure #familyiswealth #wealthislove #familyfirst #christmasinspiration #theimportantthings #peoplefirst #jesusisborn #motherhoodsocial
“The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, “The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, 
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”

#believe #jesusisreal #savior #bethlehemstar #starofbethlehem #godislove #godoverscience #godfirst #truth #ohholynight #wisemenstillseekhim #womenseekhimtoo #thecurefor2020 #eternallife #motherswithcameras #faithmoms #looktothesky #savedbygrace #christmasstar #jesusbirthdaycelebration #senttosave #nightsky #heavenlybodies
Load More... Follow on Instagram





Copyright © 2021 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in



©2018 The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide – Jaimi Erickson

HOME | ABOUT | DISCLOSURE/PRIVACY | SPONSORSHIP

Facebook | Pinterest | Email