In the Birth to Three Matters framework, babies and young children are described in four, rather than five, aspects - as Strong, Competent Learners, Skilful Communicators and Healthy Children. They are also described in four broad areas of development.
When we look at each of the headings, it is evident that young children are seen as active in their own development. The following descriptions give an indication of what children in each of these broad developmental areas may be like:
Nought to eight months old: Heads-up, lookers and communicators
In this first broad area of development, young babies:
* relate to people, make eye contact and begin to smile
* already know their mother quite well, having learnt all about her when they were inside her womb. They recognise her smell, and prefer the sound of her voice to others. They are getting to know their families and carers including siblings and grandparents.
* are beginning to develop physical skills. They stretch, roll, kick their legs, wave their arms and learn to lift their heads.
* communicate their needs in a variety of ways
* begin to anticipate events as their understanding develops rapidly.
Eight to 18 months old:Sitters, standers and explorers In this second broad area of development, babies:
* understand words and respond to their own name and begin to imitate sounds and say words
* enjoy being with particular people and may be shy with strangers
* start to know that when an object is out of sight it still exists even though they can't see it at that moment
* can reach out for, grasp and pull objects towards themselves
* can usually sit up unsupported
* are beginning to move independently
* can point to body parts such as their nose or hair, and enjoy songs, rhymes and games
* have preferences for some things more than others - carrots, rather than peas, for example.
18 to 24 months old: Movers, shakers and players
In this third broad area of development, young children:
* begin to use up to 40 words (or more) and understand far more words than they can say
* enjoy being in the company of other children though they tend to play in parallel rather than with them
* have increasing control and can handle a spoon when feeding themselves, or use a felt pen to make marks on paper
* are now able to walk well and can climb on to a chair
* enjoy playing with a range of things including sand, water, form boards, blocks, bricks and telephones
* may be up and down emotionally as they struggle for independence.
24 to 36 months old:Walkers, talkers and pretenders
In this fourth broad area of development, children:
* are language users who can communicate quite effectively using words, sentences and gestures
* are comfortable with many adults and enjoy being with other children much of the time
* have physical skills that include running, jumping and kicking, and walking up and down stairs
* can confidently do many tasks such as picking up small objects, managing a cup, building a tower with cubes, or blocks
* are capable of pretence, so can put teddy 'to bed', or drink a pretend cup of tea
* may veer between independence and dependence, getting frustrated from time to time if their language or physical skills lag behind their desire to communicate.
