Page 14 - LESSION 8.pmd

Stages of Child Development : –Prenatal; and –Birth to Three Years

INTEXT QUESTIONS 8.3
Notes
State whether the following statements are true or false :
(a) Toddlers can pick up toys while standing.

(b) Three year olds do not recognise themselves in a mirror.

(c) A three year old's speech is not easily understood by the family.

(d) Toddlers try out new activities and learn through trial and error.

ACTIVITY 8.2

Observe a toddler and comment on the language and physical development.

WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

In this lesson, you have learnt that:

• Stages of prenatal development include:

¾ Germinal (0-2 weeks)
¾ Embryonic (3-8 weeks)

¾ Foetal (9 weeks to birth)
• A teratogen is any disease, drug or other environment agent that can harm

a developing embryo or foetus by causing physical deformation, retarded
growth and damage to brain.

• Newborns are characterized by the umbilical cord, skin, hair, head, weight,
height, sleeping patterns and reflexes.
• There are milestones of development of infants in different areas such as
motor skills, hearing, vision and communication.

• Providing stimulating inputs to children during their early years of life for
their optimum growth and holistic development is called early stimulation.

• Growth and development during toddlerhood is very rapid. There are
milestones of development in physical-motor, socio-emotional, language
and cognitive domain. Children are expected to achieve age specific
milestones in each of the domains of development. Any lag or developmental
delay is required to be immediately addressed.

116 EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION