| Infant 1 |
| Daily Schedule |
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| Welcome to the Infant One class of Sunbeam Station. It is our intent to understand all of your desires for your child’s development and growth. Your child will receive loving care and attention to his or her physical, emotional and social needs and interests. You will find, and we are sure you will agree, the curriculum in this class is far less structured than in others. Our curriculum must move and flow with each child’s changing needs and interests. We will be using age appropriate materials to ensure a safe and interesting environment Among our goals is the development of the curiosity and motivation of the early learning process of things that are naturally of interest and important to your baby. The first six months are a time of sensory delight and discovery. Every baby reacts to his or her surroundings in their own way. One of our most valuable assets is an open line of communication between us. Your input and sharing of your experiences and concerns with us is most welcome. Giving us feedback on your child’s reactions to special toy, type of music, or to a specific comforting technique is always welcomed. As the learning process evolves, it is our hope that you will be delighted in your child’s discoveries and that you join in the play while having fun with your child. As this, dear parent, is what we here at Sunbeam Station will be doing as we share our love with your child. We look forward to the many first milestones that your child will exhibit, as they become their own individuals. |
Infants prefer the sound and faces of humans as well as recognize and prefer the sight, smell, and sound of their primary caregiver. Infants also smile and gaze as signs of early social interaction. They anticipate being lifted or fed and move to participate in these activities. They see adults as objects of interest and novelty and stretch arms out to be picked up. Infants begin to exhibit self-awareness by sucking their own fingers or hands and observe their hands as well. They raise their hands as if to protect their face when coming in close contact with an object. Infants reach for toys and try to clasp hands around them in an attempt to make something happen. They also begin to distinguish friends from strangers and show a preference for familiar people. Infants also begin to develop motor skills and eye-hand coordination. They can show complex reflexes by searching for something to suck, holding on when falling and turning their head to avoid obstruction of breathing. They try to avoid brightness, strong smells, and pain. They progress from trying to hold their head up, to rolling over, then sit up without support and finally begin to crawl! Infants also begin to use simple language and express feelings. They cry to signal pain or distress and vocalize to initiate social contact. They use vocal and non-vocal communication to express interest and babble using all types of sounds. An infant combines babbles and begins to understand names of familiar people and objects and listen to conversations. They laugh aloud and can show displeasure or disappointment at the loss of a favorite toy. They will show comfort and discomfort unambiguously. They can usually be comforted by a familiar individual, and smile and show pleasure when confronted with social stimulation. Interested by people they will show displeasure at loss of social contact. They express many different emotions, such as pleasure, anger, anxiety, fear, sadness, joy, excitement, disappointment, and exuberance. Heightened awareness will also be evident in your infant. They will comfort themselves by sucking their thumb or using a pacifier. They will follow a slow moving object with their eyes and will look for that dropped toy. As time passes infants can identify object from various viewpoints and will find a toy hidden under a blanket when placed there while they were watching. Hitting or kicking an object to make a pleasing sound will become a game they enjoy. |
| DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES – Birth to 8 Months |
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