Developmental and Communication Milestones See Details - Term Paper Example

of Affiliation Closer look at a baby indicate a gradual change, which happen to arise from interplay between the Childs physical growth and his/her interaction with the environment. Even with part of the development directly affected by the genes, babies still require nurturing and stimulation to attain developmental milestones (Johnson, & Gilmore, 2000). At this point it is important to note that each baby is different and one need not to panic when a Childs physical development fails to match up perfectly with the standard milestone, instead such a person should keep consulting the babies doctor for areas of concern.

One of the areas of a baby’s development is with regard to brain. Here, it has been established that many things go on in baby’s mind that one cannot imagine. While period before birth serves to allow most of the brain cells or neurons to develop, the early stages after birth allow these neurons to expand at a rapid rate. Neurons connect with each other via long extensions referred to as Axons and dendrites. In the course of the baby’s growth, more of her axons get coated in a substance refereed as myelin that provide protection to neurons and further works to accelerate communication between cells (Picton, & Taylor 2007).

It is in this regard that a combination of growth and brain maturation serves to allow a baby to grow up to attain a physical milestone.Between 2nd and 4th month several things take place in the Childs mind. First by the time to the second month sets in some baby’s newborn reflexes disappear following maturation of higher brain centers. These reflexes take in the stepping reflex, which allows a baby to attempt making a step when supported upright on a solid surface. In addition, the Baby-grasping reflex that allows him/her to hold tightly on anything within reach grows.

By the time, the baby gets to four month he/she can raise the head 90 degrees when laid on his/her stomach. During this period the baby comfortably grasp objects and direct them to his/her mouth to “explore” them further.In the 6th month, the baby’s muscles gain strength as even she/he improves motor skills. At this time the baby, comfortably passes objects from one hand to another and can lift, his/her head and cheat off a solid ground by using hands. Moreover, the baby comfortably sits on the floor supporting with the support of the lower back and can roll over with ease.

When the baby gets to 9 months, he/she engages in activities such as shaking and throwing toys to get their sounds, crawling, and attempt to gain standing position with the help of items like chairs. Between the 10th and 12th month some babies begin to attempt walking, though most of the time they will continue crawling and pulling themselves along (Bretherton, 1992). Some delay until the 18th month to walk in dependently, but at 1 year a baby should at least make some steps when supported. In addition, this period serves to see the baby improve the hand-eye coordination.

Care should be taken while a baby grows since delayed or missed developmental milestone may imply developmental disorders such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, spectrum disorders, autism, sensory-related disabilities, degenerative disorders (Rett Syndrome) and metabolic disorders (phenylketonuria).Early Diagnosis and Treatment or even early intervention is very important in managing such disorders. On the other side, early development is usually a result of the child interaction with the environment.

Such is the case that cultural implications on a baby’s growth are significant especially in the early years. Here, cultures may encourage or even impede a child’s growth. For instance, reviling research on very young bilinguals had reported that” young bilingual babies exhibited language delay and confusion relative to monolingual babies because they ostensibly had a single, fused representation of their two native languages, which they were only able to sort out over the first three years of life”.

In summary, many of the new things learned by babies are instinctual, handed down to them as a member of the human race by nature. However, an additional knowledge is learned as they interact with their environment from time to time (Carlson, & Harwood, 2003). Parents and other people around them play a vital role with regard to baby’s growth. Frequently love, cuddling and enjoyment close interactions closely relate to babies readily and quick learning.Reference Picton, T. W., & Taylor, M. J. (2007). Electrophysiological evaluation of human brain development.

Developmental Neuropsychology, 31(3), 249-278.Johnson, M. H., & Gilmore, R. O. (2000). Infancy: Biological processes. In A. E. Kazdin (Ed.),Encyclopedia of Psychology Vol. 4 (pp. 263-268). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the PsycINFO database.Carlson, V. J., & Harwood, R. L. (2003). Attachment, culture, and the care giving system: The cultural patterning of everyday experiences among Anglo and Puerto Rican mother-infant pairs. Infant Mental Health Journal, 24(1), 53-73Bretherton, I. (1992). The origins of attachment theory: John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth.

Developmental Psychology, 28(5), 759-775.