Think back to your childhood. How much do you resemble the person you were as an infant? (Do you even remember?) A five-year-old? A teenager? Your life, as well as the life of every child in your care, is filled with growth, change, and development. That’s why it’s really helpful to have some insights into what to expect from that development as a nanny.
Let’s Test Your Knowledge
Can you answer these questions about early childhood development?
- At what age do children cut their first teeth?
- At what age do children begin to understand object permanence?
- When does imaginative play begin to emerge?
- When do children begin to express autonomy and why is it important to promote it?
Experts have identified age ranges when we can expect to notice certain skills and features emerging. Child development generally occurs in a sequence. For example, a child must be able to stand before they can walk. However, when it comes to the timing, each child is unique—based on genetics, overall health, nutrition, and environmental stimulation.
What You Have To Offer Families
This is where you come in as a care provider! When caregivers are familiar with the expected skills in a given age range, they can introduce specific experiences and activities that will help to promote those skills. This transforms what you’re able to offer families from a more basic needs-based care to one that fosters developmental growth.
Here are a few more development questions to think about:
- What’s the importance of bonding with infants and young children?
- What are some reasons a child might bite another child?
- How can adults help children develop an emotional vocabulary?
Make Your Job Easier On You
Another benefit to understanding the varied developmental stages of young children is that it can take some of the stress out of your job. Nothing is more overwhelming than not knowing how to communicate with the children in your care. Knowing what to expect developmentally can help you understand why a child engages in certain behaviors and what capacity they have for understanding what you’re saying.
