Most eleven month old babies get about by crawling on
hands and knees although some may have mastered walking.
Balancing is the biggest challenge when babies first
learn to walk. Another great accomplishment from your
baby's point of view is dropping, throwing objects.
These are important skills that your baby will practice
and master. New sights and sounds excite your baby;
going to the supermarket proves to be an exciting time
for your baby. Some babies enjoy new experiences and
are willing to try anything new. For instance the feel
of sand or wet slippery things like jello or ice cubes;
other babies feel strange with any new tactile experiences.
They need to be introduced to new experiences gradually.
Babies learn so much through a sense of feel so let
your baby walk barefoot as much as possible. Your baby
now shows interest in the name of objects; on a car
ride point out familiar objects like a bus, tree or
a dog. He is also discovering that adults can be fun
and may insist on being where the action is.
Milestones - your
Baby's progress report
Baby and self-feed
Your baby is able to feed himself quite well. He may
hold a cup steadily and drink from it all by himself.
He may be able to carry a spoonful of food to his mouth
without much trouble. However there may be a lot of
mess due to spillage as his wrist action is not fully
developed. He may resist your help as he wants to do
things by himself. Allow him to practice eating and
drinking without interfering.
Baby's understanding
and curiosity grow
Your baby remembers many things now that his memory
has improved greatly. He knows where to put certain
things; he is able to group things according to color,
size and shape. His attention span is longer which is
why he will study something for a fairly long time.
He may love books and already he has his favorites.
He may want to turn the pages of a book. Instead of
taking things apart, baby may want to put them together.
He tries to use an object in the way you use it. By
imitating your actions he gains valuable information.
These accomplishments demonstrate that baby is learning
how to think
Baby's muscle control
Your baby is close to walking if he isn't already. When
cruising he may want to take steps without holding anything.
He may take steps while holding your hands. Nevertheless
he will still revert to crawling; his crawling is quicker
and more efficient.
Non-gender toys
Don't discourage your baby from playing with any type
of toy if it interests him. Let a boy play with a doll
or household items if he is interested. Give a girl
a truck or a tool kit. Every toy a child plays offers
a new learning experience and every new experience contributes
to your child's overall grasp of his world.
Coping with inconsistencies
With a consistent environment, baby feels secure; however
his experiences in the outside world are different and
inconsistent. Now that your baby is getting older, he
is more equipped to handle and cope with these changes.
Relax and let go; baby's maturity will help him deal
with the inconsistencies he encounters. |
