Two activities educators, and parents, can implement to support the physical development include providing plenty of space to explore and provide physical means of support. When providing a spacious environment, it is important to think ten steps ahead. Remove any possible hazards (e.g., cover electrical sockets, cabinet locks, safety gates). Provide physical support as the child masters holding their head up – pillows can be introduced to help assist with sitting and building the child’s core muscles. Also, tummy time provides great physical support (e.g., toys slightly out of reach) and even back time (e.g., mobile, hanging toys). For educators, it is important to be more thoughtful with these developmental supports and scaffold the child’s learning.
A tip that parents should always take away is PLAY is important. Through play, children acquire basic skills and develop, so as parents it’s important to get on the floor with your little one, help them by providing supports (when necessary) and make their environment engaging (e.g., talk, read, sing). A child thrives in a nurturing environment, so as educators we must recognize and support parents as a child’s first teacher.
~ Nicole Hinton, First 5 Modoc – Executive Director
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, January 18). Watch me! Celebrating milestones and sharing concerns (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/watchmetraining/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018, February 22). Basic information (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/facts.htmlCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). CDC’s developmental milestones (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html