Developmental Milestones Quotes

Whether children bond with their parent at birth or later, they need this relationship. Without it, children have a much harder time developing a sense of who they are. Neglect and apathy from parents can lead to an increase in mental illness for the child and a lack of motivation to reach developmental milestones and independence.

The generation born between 1995 and 2012, called iGen (or sometimes Gen Z), is very different from the Millennials, the generation that preceded it. According to Jean Twenge, an expert in the study of generational differences, one difference is that iGen is growing up more slowly. On average, eighteen-year-olds today have spent less time unsupervised and have hit fewer developmental milestones on the path to autonomy (such as getting a job or a driver's license), compared with eighteen-year-olds in previous generations.

Girls start thinking about their ideal body at a shockingly early age. Thirty-four percent of five-year-old girls engage in deliberate dietary restraint at least “sometimes.” Twenty-eight percent of these girls say they want their bodies to look like the women they see in movies and on television.1 To put this into context, important developmental milestones for five-year-olds include the successful use of a fork and spoon and the ability to count ten or more objects. These are girls who are just learning how to move their bodies around in the world, yet somehow they’re already worried about how their bodies look, already seeking to take up less space.

As Dr. Fauci’s policies took hold globally, 300 million humans fell into dire poverty, food insecurity, and starvation. “Globally, the impact of lockdowns on health programs, food production, and supply chains plunged millions of people into severe hunger and malnutrition,” said Alex Gutentag in Tablet Magazine.27 According to the Associated Press (AP), during 2020, 10,000 children died each month due to virus-linked hunger from global lockdowns. In addition, 500,000 children per month experienced wasting and stunting from malnutrition—up 6.7 million from last year’s total of 47 million—which can “permanently damage children physically and mentally, transforming individual tragedies into a generational catastrophe.”28 In 2020, disruptions to health and nutrition services killed 228,000 children in South Asia.29 Deferred medical treatments for cancers, kidney failure, and diabetes killed hundreds of thousands of people and created epidemics of cardiovascular disease and undiagnosed cancer. Unemployment shock is expected to cause 890,000 additional deaths over the next 15 years.30,31 The lockdown disintegrated vital food chains, dramatically increased rates of child abuse, suicide, addiction, alcoholism, obesity, mental illness, as well as debilitating developmental delays, isolation, depression, and severe educational deficits in young children. One-third of teens and young adults reported worsening mental health during the pandemic. According to an Ohio State University study,32 suicide rates among children rose 50 percent.33 An August 11, 2021 study by Brown University found that infants born during the quarantine were short, on average, 22 IQ points as measured by Baylor scale tests.34 Some 93,000 Americans died of overdoses in 2020—a 30 percent rise over 2019.35 “Overdoses from synthetic opioids increased by 38.4 percent,36 and 11 percent of US adults considered suicide in June 2020.37 Three million children disappeared from public school systems, and ERs saw a 31 percent increase in adolescent mental health visits,”38,39 according to Gutentag. Record numbers of young children failed to reach crucial developmental milestones.40,41 Millions of hospital and nursing home patients died alone without comfort or a final goodbye from their families. Dr. Fauci admitted that he never assessed the costs of desolation, poverty, unhealthy isolation, and depression fostered by his countermeasures. “I don’t give advice about economic things,”42 Dr. Fauci explained. “I don’t give advice about anything other than public health,” he continued, even though he was so clearly among those responsible for the economic and social costs.

Like snowflakes, sunsets and other miracles of nature, no two babies are exactly alike. ========== A Parents' Guide To Making Sense Of Developmental Milestones During Infancy And Toddlerhood (Understanding Early Childhood) (Dr. Michael K. Meyerhoff)

Developmental psychologists have pretty much discarded the concept of developmental milestones, but developmental milestones remain the only thing that most people know about developmental psychology.

Sabrina’s case is a good example. Sabrina had lived with her foster mother, Carol, since early infancy. To help Sabrina prepare for her pending adoption, Carol showed her pictures and talked frequently about the family she would soon be joining. Letters, telephone calls, and visits preceded Sabrina’s transfer to her adoptive home. Sabrina observed Carol and her adoptive parents talking and laughing together as they jointly cared for her for a week prior to her transfer. She left Carol’s home with an album full of pictures of herself surrounded by her foster and adoptive families—tangible evidence of the continuity and “connectedness” of her life experiences. Sabrina also brought her favorite toys, blanket, and eating utensils with her when she moved home. During her first weeks at home, she frequently talked to her foster mom on the telephone. Carol continues to be an important extended family member. At age five Sabrina’s cognitive, language, physical, and emotional developmental milestones are all right on target.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before, During, or After You Lose Your Shit Once you’re calm enough to think clearly, here are some curiosity questions that might be useful: K What am I thinking? What am I feeling? K What is happening in my body? Am I exhausted? In pain? In need of food, water, or caffeine? K What is triggering me? What else is going on in my life? K Is the time of day or year relevant to my situation? Are there any major events coming up that might be stressing me out? K How can I calm myself down? What do I need right now? What can I put down or let go of, even for just a few minutes? K What do my kids need? Why are they pushing my buttons? Are they tired, hungry, or getting sick? Are they dealing with any major transitions or changes? Developmental milestones? K Who can I text or call for help or a break?

Communication between school and home is important not only because you will feel more secure about the environment being provided for your children, but also because you, as parents, can share in your children's developmental milestones despite your not being available to witness them at all times. A daily journal exchange can facilitate this communication. Your child care providers can be asked to document your children's daily accomplishments. They are likely to understand how important this is for you.

The result is a slow-life strategy, with lower birth rates, slower development, and more resources and care put into each child. Thus, children do fewer things on their own (fewer walk to school by themselves or stay at home alone), teens are less independent (fewer get their driver’s license or date), young adults postpone adult milestones (marrying and having children later than earlier generations), life stages once considered middle-aged tilt younger (“fifty is the new forty”), staying healthy past retirement age is the rule rather than the exception, and life expectancies stretch toward 80. The entire developmental trajectory has slowed down, from childhood to older adulthood. These slower life trajectories are all ultimately caused by technology, including modern medical care (which lengthens life spans), birth control (allowing people to have fewer children), labor-saving devices (which slow aging), and a knowledge-based economy (which requires more years of education). Especially at older ages, the slowing is actually biologically quantifiable.

He was sheer presence, participating unconditionally in the moment in which he found himself, and I wanted to join him in it. I wanted to watch his minuscule fist close around my finger, and his wobbly head turn in response to a noise, without obsessing over whether this showed he was meeting his “developmental milestones” or not, or what I ought to be doing to ensure that he did.

Can you maybe keep your accomplishments to yourself before it scares everyone else at this party? Some of us are on a lot of drugs right now and frankly it's rude to talk about you meeting developmental milestones and having “love” in your life. Thanks.

If a baby continues growing at the same rate as in her first year, she'd be 170 feet tall as an adult.

Her first 12 months will see her come to understand the world around her, learn to recognise and communicate her needs, and develop an understanding of the language rules and expectations of her environment.

All babies are born with the same potential

Babies are born with the same number of neurons as adults but they haven't yet formed connections. Once connections are formed, the neurons become active

There are billions of tiny nerve endings underneath your baby's skin throughout her body, including the soles of her feet and palms of her hands. These nerve endings act like receptors, taking information from the outside world and sending it back up to baby's brain via a feedback loop along her nervous system.

There's an undeniable correlation between our early experiences and our later outlook on life.

There are a number of things you can do to support, stimulate and enhance your baby's development in her first 12 months, but she will ultimately develop at her own pace and in her own time.

In her first year of life, your baby's brain will double in size and by her first birthday it will be half the size of an adult brain.

We evolved as humans by carrying our babies on our bodies to ensure baby's welfare, protection and survival.

her arms and legs are curled up and she wont be able to extend them yet. This is a survival mechanism designed to keep your baby safe when she's most vulnerable. Similar to a hedgehog curling up into a ball when threat of danger, your baby instinctively remains in the foetal position until she's developed the strength to extend her limbs

The first 2 weeks after birth, mother's body is flooded with hormones, designed to ensure baby's survival. Oxytocin, a powerful bonding hormone (known as the love hormone) creates the euphoric feeling following childbirth and is the reason you're bursting with love for your new baby.

The first 9 months of a baby's life is often referred to as 'the second 9 months' or 'the fourth trimester

Leaving your baby to cry for extended periods triggers the release of cortisol into her bloodstream.

Your (newborn) baby will usually cry for one of the following reasons. She will either be hungry, tired/overwhelmed, or lonely/afraid. Each of these can be alleviated with breastfeeding. The hormones in your breast milk contain Oxytocin, a powerful 'happy hormone', which blocks cortisol from being released. This immediately inhibits the stress response and calms baby

researchers have even discovered that a newborn baby's grip is so strong that she can support her own body weight on one hand when she's dangled. (Don't ever, ever test this out, for your own baby's safety).

skin-to-skin contact triggers Oxytocin (the love hormone) to be released in both baby and mum. This encourages bonding between mother and baby, and it's more than likely the reason why midwives recommend immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth

The cells of your baby's body are unable to grow without loving contact. The genome responsible for growth enzymes stops production without loving contact. With only a few loving strokes, the genome is signalled and growth begins again.

Everything your baby experiences now will have a lasting impact on her cognitive growth in infancy, her core beliefs, sense of self, self-worth and her emerging personality.

If your baby starts reaching out to grab everything in sight, it's a sign that she's seeking stimulation.

Your baby will reach these milestones in her own time and when she's ready. Gentle encouragement may help her along but pushing her before she's ready will be counterproductive and harm her development in the long run.

What was once a mass of potential is now a complex system of neural pathways firing and storing information rapidly. These newly-formed neural pathways in your baby's brain lay the foundations for her later personality and ability to interact with the world.

Nature designed mothers to and babies to bond via the release of Oxytocin to ensure survival of our species. When a new baby is born, her mother's body is also flooded with this hormone, creating a feeling of euphoria

At 6 months old, your baby is halfway through her first year. She's passed through crucial developmental stages and has progressed from being wholly reliant upon your for her survival, to being able to move and communicate independently.

If your baby doesn't like tummy time, don't worry too much, and don't force her to lay on her front. As a species, humans have carried their babies on their bodies in slings and swaddles for thousands of years. Tummy time is a relatively new concept and traditionally, parents didn't lay babies on their tummies

Across all cultures throughout history, babies were worn in carriers on their mother's chest, until around 6 months when they were moved to the back so they could see the world the same way mother could. It's long been believed that baby-wearing helps with infant emotional and Psychological development, promoting attachment and bonding between mother and baby. Studies have shown that carrying an infant an extra two hours a day reduces crying by 43%.

You can soothe her whenever she's poorly, teething or growing, simply by holding her. Comforting your baby is the most effective and rewarding way to to soothe her when she's distressed.

There are thousands of tiny nerve endings in the soles of your baby's feet which send feedback to her brain via her nervous system. Every time she takes a step, the nerve endings receive information from the ground beneath and send that information to her brain. Her brain then uses this information to form neural connections. This is how all habits are formed. These neural connections eventually group together to form the region of her brain responsible for your baby's ability to walk.

The way you treat your child as a baby lays the foundation for your later relationship with her, and consequently, her later relationships with others.

Toe walking is common in the early weeks but if your baby continues this habit, mention it to her doctor. (Prolonged toe-walking can cause problems later on life).

Let your baby choose whether she wants broccoli or peas with her dinner, and what colour socks she wants to wear. Small choices will give your baby a sense of control over her environment and help her to feel more independent. This is a great way to reduce tantrums and defiant behaviour

The magic of raising a baby will stay with you for a lifetime

We take for granted the profound, innate abilities our babies are born with

The love you shower upon your baby in the early weeks will truly last a lifetime. Bear this in mind as you raise your precious baby.

While their feelings are normal, it is not your responsibility to fix them or to take them on as your own. You get to decide both your willingness and emotional capacity to support your parents through any difficult emotions that arise. Celebrating gender exploration and transition allows us to reframe this feeling of loss as similar to any other developmental milestone. Like a parent who cries as their child goes off to kindergarten, change often mixes loss with pride and possibility.

The conventional approach often measures children’s behavior against their chronological age. Instead of adhering to chronological milestones, it is vital to go by a child’s overall developmental age. If an eight-year-old child has a two-year-old’s problem-solving, language, and social skills, they will behave like a two-year-old when they have a problem. Being aware of this allows us to set more realistic and compassionate expectations for each child and tailor our approaches to helping the child. Just like with any other developmental delay, it is crucial to provide adaptations and accommodations instead of only focusing on remediation.