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Choosing quality care that is in a healthy and safety surround should be your number 1 priority. Look for child care that stimulates and encourages your child's concrete, intellectual, and social growth. Keep your kid'south age and personality in mind when looking for the program that best meets his needs. Understanding what makes your child feel secure and knowing the activities he enjoys and will acquire from will make a divergence in your terminal child care conclusion.

Personality

Each child has his own personality and responds to caregivers or experiences differently. Just like adults, children may have outgoing, shy, or even-tempered natures. Your caregiver should be in tune with your child'due south special personality and treat your child in a positive and caring mode that agrees with his special personality. This is crucial to nurturing his salubrious emotional growth. Past understanding your child'south personality, you lot and your caregiver can assistance him succeed by offering care, activities, and discipline that best fit his needs.

Developmental stages

As your child grows, you lot may detect yourself searching for clues to her behavior. As a parent, you may hear the words "developmental stages." This is just some other way of proverb your kid is moving through a certain time period in the growing-up procedure. At times, she may be fascinated with her easily, her feet, and her oral fissure. As she grows, she may go into everything. Lock your doors and cabinets, and accept a deep breath during those exploration years! Then there will be an age when independence is all she wants. At every stage, what she needs is your love, agreement, and fourth dimension.

Parent Tip

Recent brain research indicates that nativity to age iii are the nearly important years in a child's development. Hither are some tips to consider during your child'south early years:

Be warm, loving, and responsive.
Talk, read, and sing to your kid.
Establish routines and rituals.
Encourage safe explorations and play.
Make TV watching selective.
Use bailiwick equally an opportunity to teach.
Recognize that each kid is unique.
Choose quality child care and stay involved.
Take intendance of yourself.

For more information, visit the Commencement 5 California Parents' Site

Learning styles

Children larn in many different means. Each child has his own way of learning—some learn visually, others through affect, taste, and sound. Lookout man a grouping of children and you'll understand at once what this means. One child will sit down and mind patiently, another cannot wait to move and count beads. Some other wants you to show her the respond over and over. Children also learn in different ways depending on their developmental phase. One thing nosotros know is all children beloved to learn new things by exploring and discovering. Children love to solve problems during play and in daily activities.

Expect for a child care provider who understands children'southward learning styles and includes reading, learning numbers, art activities, rhyming, and trouble solving in your child'due south daily activities. Also, find out how your provider encourages your child to understand and benefit from daily activities and experiences.

Tips for looking for a child intendance provider during the outset eighteen months of life

Expect for a provider who:

Is warm and friendly.
Interacts with your infant and has centre contact.
Talks to your infant while diapering.
Includes your baby in activities, but keeps her safe from older children.
Avoids the use of walkers.
Has feeding and sleeping practices similar to yours.
Allows the infant to eat and slumber whenever she wishes rather than follow a schedule.

Ages and stages

Depending upon the age of your child, his learning style and personality, your child will have different needs. The first five years are especially crucial for physical, intellectual, and social-emotional evolution. Proceed your child'southward personality and age in mind when looking for child care experiences and activities. The following pages provide insight into a child's developmental stages from nascency through fourteen years.

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Nativity to eighteen months: an overview

In the first eighteen months after birth, an infant makes miraculous progress. In this relatively short time span, an infant sees her globe through her senses. Babies gather information through touch, taste, odour, sight, and audio. To aid infants mature and larn, the caregiver should stimulate but not overwhelm them. The overall goal is non to "teach" your baby but to interact and explore her globe with her. Older infants are on the move. They accept keen pleasure in discovering what they can do with their vocalism, hands, anxiety, and toes. Soon they practice rolling skills, crawling, walking, and other slap-up physical adventures. Through "the eyes of a child," here is what you might look during the commencement eighteen months.

I calendar month

What I'm Like: I can't support my ain caput and I'yard awake nearly 1 hour in every x (though it may seem more than).

What I Need: I need milk, a smoke-free environment, a warm place to sleep, hugs and kisses, and to hear your loving voice. Information technology's non too early to sing or read to me. The more y'all talk and introduce dissimilar things to me, the more I learn.

Iii months

What I'm Like: My hands and feet fascinate me. I'll laugh and coo at them and you. I'thousand warning for 15 minutes, maybe longer, at a time. I dear to listen to you talk and read to me.

What I Need: Talk to me, feed me, and sing to me. My favorite songs are lullabies. Cuddle me. I need fresh air, a ride in a stroller. Give me things to pull and teethe on.

5 months

What I'm Like: I may be able to gyre over and sit with back up. I tin can hold my own toys. I babble and am alert for 2 hours at a fourth dimension. I can eat nigh baby nutrient. Put toys just out of my achieve and I will endeavour to attain them. I like to see what I expect like and what I am doing.

What I Need: Make certain I'yard safe equally I'thou learning to crawl. I need happy sounds, and I like to be near y'all. Trip the light fantastic with me, tickle me, and tell me nearly the world you meet.

Ix months

What I'm Similar: I'm busy! I similar to explore everything! I crawl, sit, pull on furniture, grasp objects, and understand simple commands. I similar to be with other babies and I react to their happiness and sadness.

What I Demand: I need locks on cabinets with medicines, household cleaners, or other dangerous things. Put away minor sharp objects. I need touches, nutritious food, and educational toys to go along me busy.

Twelve months

What I'g Like: I may be able to pull myself up and sidestep around piece of furniture. I may begin walking. I brand lots of sounds and say "Mama" and "Dada." I'thou curious about flowers, ants, grass, stones, bugs, and clay. I similar to become messy, 'crusade that'south how I learn. My fingers want to touch on everything. I like to play near others close to my age but not always with them. If I'm walking, please walk at my pace.

What I Demand: I demand lots of cuddling and encouragement. I demand a rubber place to motility around every bit I will be getting into anything I tin get my easily on. Read to me again and over again. Sing our favorite songs. Give me liberty to do nearly things—until I need assist. So please stay well-nigh.

Twelve to 18 months

What I'm Like: I like to eat with a spoon, even if I spill. And I will spill, spill, spill. I will explore everything high and low, so please keep me safe. I may have temper tantrums because I take no other fashion of expressing my feelings or frustrations. Sometimes I'thousand fearful and cling to you. I similar to have evening routines: music, story, and bath fourth dimension. I like balls, blocks, pull toys, push toys, take autonomously toys, put together toys, and cuddles. Sometimes I say "No" and hateful it. By xviii months I can walk well by myself, although I autumn a lot. I may leap. I say lots of words, especially the word "mine"—considering everything is mine! I like information technology when nosotros play outside or go to a park. I like being with other children. I try to accept off my shoes and socks. I similar to build with blocks.

What I Demand: Let me touch things. Let me try new things with your assist, if I need it. I demand firm limits and consistency. Please give me praise. The more y'all talk with me, the earlier I volition tell you how I feel and what I need. I need you to observe me and to understand why I'grand upset or mad. I demand your understanding and patience. I desire a routine. I need you to not listen the mess I sometimes brand. I need you to say I'm sorry if you made a error. And delight read to me over and over again!

The Toddler'south Creed

If I want it, it's mine. If I give it to you and change my mind later on, it'due south mine. If I take it away from you, it's mine. If information technology's mine it will never vest to anybody else, no thing what. If we are edifice something together, all the pieces are mine. If information technology looks simply like mine, it'due south mine.

Eighteen months through two years: an overview

During the next phase of life, your child is beginning to define himself. Look for child care activities that spur his imagination and vocabulary. During the toddler years, children get into everything, so practice your best to keep your child prophylactic from a potential accident. Withal, realize accidents exercise happen even to the most careful parents and children.

When looking for quality treat your toddler, consider:

Is the child intendance setting rubber and does it provide minor group sizes and adult-to-child ratios?
Are in that location enough toys and activities so sharing isn't a problem?
Are there a lot of toys for building which tin can exist put together?
Is at that place a dress-up expanse?
Do fine art activities allow the children the freedom to brand their own art or do all crafts look the aforementioned?
And last, what are the toilet training and subject area practices of the provider?

Ii years

What I'g Like: I am loving, affectionate, and responsive to others. I feel sorry or lamentable when others my age are upset. I may fifty-fifty like to please yous. I don't need y'all so shut for protection, merely please don't go also far abroad. I may exercise the exact opposite of what yous desire. I may exist rigid, not willing to wait or give in. I may even exist snobby. "Me" is 1 of my favorite words. I may have fears, especially of sounds, separation, moving household objects, or that big dog.

What I Need: I demand to continue exploring the earth, down the block, the parks, library, and stores, etc. I similar my routines. If you accept to modify them, exercise and so slowly. I need you to notice what I do well and PRAISE me. Give me two OK choices to distract me when I brainstorm to say "No." I need you to be in control and make decisions when I'one thousand unable to do so. I do better when you lot plan ahead. Be Business firm with me about the rules, but CALM when I forget or disagree. And please be patient because I am doing my best to please you lot, even though I may non act that way.

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3 through five years: an overview

During the preschool years, your kid volition be incredibly decorated. Cutting, pasting, painting, and singing are all daily activities. When your child starts kindergarten effectually age five, make sure habitation and child intendance activities include learning numbers, messages, and unproblematic directions. Most public schoolhouse kindergarten programs are usually only a few hours a day. You may demand intendance before and after school. It is never too early to begin your search.

When looking for quality care for your preschooler, consider:

Are there other children the same age or close in age to your child?
Is there space for climbing, running, and jumping?
Are there books and learning activities to set your child for school?
Is television and movie watching selective?
Are learning materials and teaching styles age-advisable and respectful of children'southward cultural and ethnic heritage?
Are caregivers experienced and trained in early childhood development?
Are children given choices to exercise and learn things for themselves?
Are children rushed to consummate activities or tasks?
Or are they given enough time to work at their own pace?

Iii years

What I'm Like: Watch out! I am charged with physical energy. I exercise things on my own terms. My mind is a sponge. Reading and socializing are essential in getting me ready for school. I like to pretend a lot and savor scribbling on everything. I am full of questions, many of which are "Why?" I become fairly reliable well-nigh using the potty. I may stay dry at night and may not. Playing and trying new things out are how I larn. Sometimes I like to share. I begin to heed more and begin to empathise how to solve issues for myself.

What I Need: I want to know most everything and empathise words, and when encouraged, I will utilize words instead of grabbing, crying, or pushing. Play with me, sing to me, and permit's pretend!

Four years

What I'chiliad Like: I'm in an agile stage, running, hopping, jumping, and climbing. I honey to question "Why?" and "How?" I'1000 interested in numbers and the world around me. I enjoy playing with my friends. I similar to exist creative with my drawings, and I may like my pictures to be different from everyone else's. I'thousand curious near "sleepovers" but am not sure if I'm ready yet. I may want to be just like my older sis or brother. I am proud that I am and so BIG now!

What I Demand: I demand to explore, to try out, and to test limits. Giving me room to grow doesn't mean letting me exercise everything. I need reasonable limits set for my own protection and for others. Let me know clearly what is or isn't to be expected. I need to learn to give and take and play well with others. I demand to be read to, talked to, and listened to. I demand to exist given choices and to learn things in my own way. Label objects and describe what'southward happening to me so I can learn new words and things.

Five years

What I'grand Like: I'm slowing a picayune in growth. I have good motor control, simply my small muscles aren't as adult every bit my big muscles for jumping. My activity level is high and my play has direction. I like writing my name, drawing pictures, making projects, and going to the library. I'm more interested now in doing group activities, sharing things and my feelings. I like quiet time abroad from the other kids from time to time. I may be anxious to begin kindergarten.

What I Demand: I need the opportunity for plenty of agile play. I need to do things for myself. I like to have choices in how I larn new things. But most of all, I need your dear and assurance that I'm important. I demand time, patience, agreement, and 18-carat attending. I am learning about who I am and how I fit in with others. I need to know how I am doing in a positive way. I sympathise more than most things and how they work, then y'all can give me a more detailed answer. I have a big imagination and pretend a lot. Although I'm becoming taller, your lap is however i of my favorite places.

Six through viii years: an overview

Children at this historic period have busy days filled with recess, homework, and tear-jerking fights with their friends. They begin to think and plan ahead. They accept a g questions. This age group has practiced and bad days just like adults. Become ready, considering it'south only the commencement!

When looking for quality care for your school-historic period child, consider:

Is the staff or provider trained to work with schoolhouse-historic period children?
Is in that location infinite for sports activities, climbing, running, and jumping?
Are there materials that volition interest your kid?
Is goggle box and motion picture watching selective?
Is in that location a quiet identify to do homework or read?
Is transportation available?

Six years

What I'm Similar: Affectionate and excited over school, I get eagerly well-nigh of the fourth dimension. I am self-centered and can be quite demanding. I think of myself as a big kid now. I can be impatient, wanting my demands to be met NOW. Nevertheless I may take forever to exercise ordinary things. I like to be with older children more than than with younger ones. I often take one close friend, and sometimes nosotros volition exclude a third child.

What I Need: This might exist my first year in real school. Although information technology'due south fun, it's also scary. I demand you to provide a safe place for me. Routines and consistency are important. Don't accept my behavior one day and correct me for the same behavior tomorrow. Gear up and explain rules about daily routines like playtime and bedtime. I need your praise for what I am doing well. Since I may go to before-and after-school intendance, assist me go organized the night earlier. Make sure I have everything ready for school.

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Vii years

What I'thousand Similar: I am oftentimes more placidity and sensitive to others than I was at vi. Sometimes I tin be mean to others my historic period and younger. I may hurt their feelings, but I really don't mean to. I tend to exist more than polite and agreeable to adult suggestions. Past now I am conscious of my schoolwork and am beginning to compare my work and myself with others. I want my schoolwork to look "correct." If I make mistakes, I can easily get frustrated.

What I Demand: I need to tell you about my experiences, and I need the attention of other adult listeners. I really want y'all to listen to me and sympathise my feelings. Delight don't put me downwardly or tell me I can't practice it—help me to learn in a positive way. Please bank check my homework and reading assignments. Let me go over to my friends and play when possible. I still demand hugs, kisses, and a bedtime story.

Eight years

What I'm Like: My curiosity and eagerness to explore new things continues to grow. Friends are more than of import. I savour playing and being with peers. Recess may exist my favorite "subject" in schoolhouse. I may follow you effectually the house just to detect out how you feel and retrieve, specially virtually me. I am also commencement to exist aware of adults as individuals and am curious about what they do at work. Around the house or at child care, I can be quite helpful.

What I Need: My concept of an independent cocky has been developing. I assert my individuality, and there are spring to be conflicts. I am expected to learn and read and to get along with others. I need back up in my efforts then that I will have a desire for achievement. Your expectations will have a big bear on on me. If I am not doing well in school, explain to me that everyone learns at a dissimilar pace, and that tiny improvements make a difference. Tell me that the almost important thing is to do my best. You can enquire my teachers for ways to aid me at home. Problems in reading and writing should be handled at present to avoid more problem later on. And busy eight-year-olds are commonly hungry!

Nine through eleven years: an overview

Children from nine to eleven are like the socks they buy, with a nifty range of stretch. Some are even so "picayune kids" and others are quite mature. Some are already entering puberty, with torso, emotions, and mental attitude changes during this stage. Parents need to take these changes into business relationship when they are choosing kid intendance for this historic period grouping. These children begin to call back logically and like to work on existent tasks, such as mowing lawns or baking. They have a lot of natural curiosity about living things and enjoy having pets.

What I'k Like: I have lots of energy, and physical activities are important to me. I like to take office in sports and group activities. I like clothes, music, and my friends. I'k invited to sleepovers and to friends' houses frequently. I want my pilus cut a certain manner. I'm not every bit sure nigh school every bit I am about my social life. Those of us who are girls are often taller and heavier than the boys. Some girls may exist beginning to prove signs of puberty, and nosotros may be self-conscious near that. I experience powerful and independent, as though I know what to do and how to practise it. I can recall for myself and want to be independent. I may be eager to become an adult.

What I Demand: I demand you to continue advice lines open up by setting rules and giving reasons for them, by being a good listener, and by planning ahead for changes in the schedule. Call back, I am nevertheless a child so don't expect me to act similar an developed. Know that I like to be an active member of my household, to help plan activities, and to be a part of the conclusion-making. Once I am xi or older, I may be ready to take care of myself from time to time rather than become to kid care. I however demand adult help and encouragement in doing my homework.

As children enter adolescence, they want their independence. Still they still want to be children and need your guidance. As your child grows, it's easier to leave him at dwelling for longer periods of fourth dimension and also ask him to care for younger children. Trust your instincts and watch your child to make sure you are not placing too much responsibility on him at once. Talk to him. Proceed the door open. Make sure he is comfy with a new role of caregiver and is withal able to finish his schoolhouse work and other projects.

Eleven through fourteen years: an overview

Your kid is irresolute so fast—in body, mind, and emotions—that y'all hardly know her anymore. One day she'southward every bit responsible and cooperative every bit an adult; the next twenty-four hours she's more than like a six-year-one-time. Planning beyond today's baseball game or slumber party is hard. I minute she's sunny and enthusiastic. The next she's gloomy and silent. Keep cool. These children are in process; they're becoming more self-sufficient. It'due south Independence Day!

What I'm Like: I'm more than independent than I used to be, but I'm quite cocky-conscious. I call up more like an adult, just there'due south no unproblematic answer. I like to talk well-nigh problems in the adult earth. I like to recall for myself, and though I oft feel confused, my opinions are important to me, and I want others to respect them. I seem to exist moving away from my family unit. Friends are more of import than ever. To have them like me, I sometimes human activity in means that adults disapprove of. But I even so need reasonable rules gear up by adults. However, I'm more understanding and cooperative. I want zilch to do with babysitters—in fact, if I'thousand mature enough I can often be by myself or watch others.

What I Need: I need to know my family is behind me no matter how I may stumble in my attempts to grow up. This growing upwards is serious business, and I need to laugh and play a lot to lighten up and proceed my balance. I need y'all to empathize that I'one thousand doing my best and to encourage me to see my mistakes as learning experiences. Please don't tease me about my clothes, hair, boy/girl friends. I also need privacy with my ain space and things.