Developmental Picture
The young infant (0-9 months):
Is fully dependent on the caregiver for meeting all his needs
is leaming ways of self comforting, initiating interactions, and eliciting responses
Has an individual schedule of sleeping, waking, and eating for some infants, this schedule is consistent, and for others, it is irregular
cries for a reason, even if the caregiver cannot always figure out why
The caregiver: Leams to interpret an infant's particular cues Responds to the infants signals promptly and appropriately Recognizes that infants can be soothed in different ways, by holding, rocking. singing, patting or stroking, or by placing a thumb or pacifier in their mouth Adjusts caregiving routines to conform to the unique schedule of each infant The older infant (9-18 months): Experiments with interesting things for example, tosses food or toys off the feeding table to watch them fall or watch an adult pick them up May insist on being camed even when he has learned to walk Stops doing something when she hears No" but is likely to continue after a brief pause The caregiver e Provides opportunities for infants to leam by experimenting in ways that do not require adult interference e Recognizes the importance of being flexible in responding to infants' demands Recognizes that babies can be demanding when they are tired or out ofsorts e Reserves "No" for times when the infant is doing something that is dangerous, destructive, or hurtful and makes sure the infant stops what he is doing