Infancy period

Infancy period

1. Infancy Period Dr.M.Deivam Assistant Professor Department of Education The Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University) Gandhigram , Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu – 624 302

2. Physical Development At the time of birth the body weight is around 2.7 kg, height 19 inches and the head is one fourth of the body. Milk teeth appear by 2 years and permanent teeth by 5 years. At the first 5 years the weight of the body is 5 times than that of the birth. The size of the head begins to become lesser when the body grows more.

3. Cont., The nervous system develops at a faster rate during the pre-natal period and at the first four years of life. There is rapid development of arteries and veins. The bones are soft and contain great amount of water and minerals. The bones are less attached to the muscles. There is development of muscles and fibers. The stomach is small tubular shaped. It requires food quite often to get energy.

4. Mental Development Mental development is very slow. The various aspects of mind like sensation, perception, conception etc. are in the process of growth. The child cannot think and react too well. He thinks in terms of concrete object and precepts. Questioning attitude : The child is tempted to ask may questions to the parents, teachers, elders and so on. The child does not wait for the answers and goes on questioning impatiently.

5. Cont., Rote memory: The child makes mechanical repetition without reasoning or understanding. Nursery rhymes, some important sayings and small sentences are repeated often. Concrete teaching should be done. Creative attitude: The child has a creative sense. He can imagine and create sand houses, drawings, paintings, which he finds interesting. The creative work may not be good but he should be encouraged.

6. Time sense: The child may not have good time sense. He cannot think of length, time distance etc. The teacher should develop it slowly and gradually. Make believe (Fantasy) The child may not be developed mentally, emotionally and socially. He has high ambitions or desires, but cannot fulfill the desires. Hence, there is a baseless and imaginative fantasy. The child may have day dreams. The teacher should engage the child and ignite interest for concrete imaginative.

7. Emotional Development Emotional development can be found in the child, right from the birth . The child begins to cry after birth which reveals there is some emotional element in him. Soon after birth the child is sensitive to strong stimulation from outside. But the stimulation cannot be differentiated. Later the child learns the difference between pleasure and pain .

8. Cont., Example: When hot and cold objects are applied on baby’s skin, which cause discomfort and vice versa., According to Spitz , the baby begins to smile after a period of three months when the elders cajole it. After a period of six months, there is a sense of fear, jealousy, disgust, anger etc. There is sympathy, love, co-operation, social approach etc. after one year.

9. Social Development Dependence of the child: The child has to depend upon his parents for food, shelter, clothing and expects love, affection and guidance from them at every stage. He cannot live, think and act independently.

10. Self-assertion After a particular period the child wants to dominate his parents and elders. He wants that his words and ideas should be performed by one and all. Sometimes he whishes to dictate the teacher to obey his orders. The teacher should take this aspect into consideration, if it is a good suggestion.

11. Selfish and Unsocial: The child is quite selfish. He wants all the things for himself. He does not want to give his possessions to others. He wants all the toys, play materials etc. for himself. The teacher should adjust his teaching taking into account the selfish attitude of the child in a good sense.

12. Social attitude: From 12 th to 18 th month, the child gradually shifts emphasis from play materials to playmates . During the 3 rd year he learns to part with his possessions. Upto 6 years the child companionship.

13. Moral development The child is always selfish. He fails to think of good and bad things. He behaves instinctively; he learns by repetition. Therefore infancy is a period of dependence and instinctive behaviour .

14. Educational Significance At this initial stage he/she should be provide wooden blocks and other simple paly materials which he/she may handle easily and do not required any special skill. Adequate freedom should be give in all his moments; otherwise he/she will not be able to develop his normal personality. The child should feel secure in the family and the parents should treat him/her well.

15. Cont., Every child is curious about his social environment. The parents and the teachers should try to satisfy the need of the child by answering all the questions asked by him/her. Infancy stage is the plastic age or formative age of the child. Step should be taken towards the formation of good habits by the teachers and the parents at the formative years.

16. Cont., Play is natural to the child. Let him/her play and learn. This will make learning easier and acceptable to the child. Children at this stage are interested in hearing stories and seeing multi-colored pictures .

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