What El Paso Parents Need to Know About Early Childhood Development
As your children get older, they develop in various ways that cover their physical, intellectual, social, and emotional skills. Early childhood development is a process that every child goes through in order to learn a wide array of activities and tasks. Everything from sitting and standing to creating friendships with other children is a part of early childhood development.
To help you gain a better understanding, Pasitos Clinic is here to walk through the five main areas of child development.
Your child deserves the best, most caring early childhood development services in El Paso. Call us today to schedule an appointment — (915) 307-7612!
5 Main Areas of Child Development
Cognitive
Cognitive development in children is the development of the skills and knowledge that allow them to understand their environment and their surroundings.
Social and Emotional
This area of development refers to a child’s ability to interact with others, understand, and manage their feelings and emotions. Socioemotional skills include:
- Empathy
- Sympathy
- Recognizing and expressing feelings
Speech and Language
Speech and language development is crucial for several reasons, in addition to understanding and communicating with others, including:
- Problem-solving
- Forming relationships
These skills are typically developed between the ages 2-5.
Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills refer to physical capabilities needed to make small, simple movements, especially with the hands and fingers. These skills begin to develop as early as shortly after birth.
Gross Motor Skills
These skills consist of physical skills needed to make large body movements, specifically with the head, neck, arms, and legs. This also refers to the ability to coordinate and control these movements.
Facts About Early Childhood Development
Children Are Curious About How the World Around Them Works 60 each
Children, especially at a young age, have several questions about how their surroundings work. You will come to find that once your child starts talking, they will ask you many questions and may try to figure things out by playing and experimenting. Children are also prone to observe and copy what others do.
Even Young Babies or Infants Need Responsive Care
Before being able to talk, babies communicate their needs by responding to even the slightest movements and sounds. When the caregiver responds back to the baby’s actions, movements, or sounds, this helps establish the relationship between the caregiver and the baby. The relationship may also be established during feeding in the first days after birth.
Pay Attention to Your Child’s Behavior and Actions
Whether or not your child is already speaking, it is important to always be aware of their behaviors and actions, such as:
- Movements
- Sounds
- Cries
Some children may feel it is easier for them to express their needs through their behavior. This is also something that first-time parents should keep in mind when it comes to knowing what their newborn needs.
Development Is Encouraged Through Activities
If your child is faced with developmental issues, you can support them by promoting simple, age-appropriate activities that can easily be done at home. For example, water play or water-based activities are known to help develop and strengthen a child’s gross and fine skills. These activities can be done during bathtime when playing in splash pads, pools, and more!
Learn More About Early Childhood Development With Pasitos Clinic
At Pasitos Clinic, we aim to play a role in addressing any concerns parents may have about early childhood development for their little ones. Get in touch with us by calling (915) 307-7612 to make an appointment and to discuss your concerns with a professional.