DEVELOPMENT DURING INFANCY AND TODDLERHOOD

Infancy is the beginning or early period of existence as an individual.

Toddler is the term applied to one and two year old children.

A. Characteristics of Infancy and Toddlerhood

1. It is the true foundation of age.
At this time, many behavior patterns, attitudes and emotional expressions are established. It is a critical period in setting
the pattern for personal and emotional adjustments.
2. It is an age of rapid growth and development.
Babies grow rapidly both physically and psychologically. Changes are rapid in appearance (height and weight) and
capacities. The limbs develop in better proportion to the large head. Intellectual growth and change are parallel to physical
growth and change.
3. It is an age of decreasing dependency.
The decrease on dependency on others results from the rapid development of body control which enables babies to sit,
stand and walk and to manipulate objects.
4. It is beginning of creativity, sex role typing and socialization.
5. It is a hazardous period.
The physical hazards are illness, accidents, disabilities and death. Psychological hazards are disinterests and negative
attitudes.

B. Physical Development of Infants and Toddlers

1. Physical Proportions and Brain Development

The head grows the fastest and matures the earliest, followed by the rest of the body downward.
Parts that are closest to the center of the infant's body (e.g., the trunk) grow faster and mature earlier than do parts that are
farther from the center (e.g., the hands).
The physical structure of the brain develops rapidly as well. .
2. Motor Development (Reflexes)
Sucking Reflex
The sucking reflex is initiated when something touches the roof of an infants mouth. Infants have a strong sucking
reflex which helps to ensure they can latch unto bottle or breast. The sucking reflex is very strong in some infants
and they may need to suck on a pacifier for comfort.
Rooting Reflex
The roofing reflex is most evident when an infants cheek is stroked. The baby responds by turning his or her head
in the direction of the touch and opening their mouth for feeding.
Gripping Reflex
Babies will grasp anything that is placed in their palm. The strength of this grip is strong, and most babies can
support their entire weight in their grip.
Curling Reflex
When the inner sole of a babys foot is stroked the infant respond by curling his or her toes. When the outer sole
of a babys foot is stroked, the infant will respond by spreading out their toes.
Startle/Moro Reflex
Infants will respond to sudden sounds or movements by throwing their arms and legs out, and throwing their
heads back. Most infants will usually cry when startled and proceed to pull their limbs back into their bodies.
Galant Reflex
The galant reflex is shown when an infants middle or lower back is stroked next to the spinal cord. The baby will
respond by curving his or her body toward the side which is being stroked.
Tonic Neck Reflex
The tonic neck reflex is demonstrated in infants who are placed on their abdomens. Whenever side the childs
head is facing, the limbs on that side will straighten, while the opposite limbs will curl.

C. Emotional Behavior of Infants and Toddlers

Emotional reactions may be described as states of pleasantness and unpleasantness.
The outstanding characteristics of the infants and toddlers emotional makeup is the complete absence of shift of responses
showing different degrees of intensity.
Whatever the stimulus, the resultant emotion is intense and sudden.

D. Social Development of Infants and Toddlers

They start to become aware of their environment.
Their tasks include listening, visual following and sucking.
Their discovery of the people may be supported by his crying, smiling and vocalizing.
 DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES FOR CHILDREN FROM AGES 4 MONTHS TO 2 YEARS

Motor Adaptive Social Language

Age 4 Infants typically can balance their heads at Infants are able to recognize their Infants are able to recognize their 4-month-old will turn his or her head
Months a 90 degree angle. bottles. mothers and other familiar faces. when sound is heard.
They frequently watch their hands, keep The sight of a bottle often stimulates They imitate smiles and often respond to Verbalizations include gurgling,
their fingers busy and place objects in their bodily activity. familiar people by reaching, smiling or babbling and cooing.
mouths. laughing.

Age 8 Able to sit alone without being supported. They can feed themselves pieces of They begin imitating facial expressions Babbling becomes frequent and
Months Can reach for an object and pick it up with toast or crackers. and gestures. complex.
all their fingers. They will be able to munch instead of They can play peeka-boo and wave bye- They attempt copying the verbal sounds
Crawling efforts have begun. being limited to sucking. bye. they hear.
Can say a few words or sounds such as
mama or dada.

Age 1 Most babies can crawl well. Babies are able to drink from a cup. They tend to repeat behaviors that are Babies begin to pay attention to the
Year Usually require support to walk. They can feed themselves with their laughed at. sounds they hear.
They can open drawers and pull electrical fingers. They also seek attention by squealing or They can understand simple
cords. making noises. commands.

Age 18 Baby can walk. Ability to feed themselves is much It is normal for them to be aware of other Vocabularies consist of more than three
Months Walking up stairs can be accomplished by improved. children and even enjoy having them but less than fifty words.
a caregiver holding the babys hands. Can hold their own glasses. around; however, they dont play with They can understand language to some
Able to push large objects and pull toys. Can cooperate in dressing. others. extent.

Age 2 Can walk and run quite well. Capable of listening to and following They are becoming more and more Can usually put two or three words
Years Throwing a ball in an overhead manner. directions. aware of feelings and reactions of adults. together to express an idea.
They are also capable of turning pages of a They attempt washing their hands. They begin to seek adult approval for Simple directions and requests are
book. correct behavior. usually understood.
They also begin to show their emotions
in the forms of affection, guilt or pity.

References:
Additional Researches on Psychological and Sociological Foundations of Education by: Joy N. Dacuan
Child and Adolescent Development by: Brenda B. Corpuz et al. Researched by:
Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environemnt, 7th Edition by: Charles Zastrow and Karen Kirst-Ashman
ISRAEL R. ASINAS
MAT-ENGLISH