What are the specific needs of each stage of development?

[JEM]

Infants need a foundation for trust and attachment with one primary caregiver.
A strong bond with their caregiver creates stability and familiarity.
As the infant's needs are being taken care of in a timely way, and the caregiver learns to read the cues of the infant, the foundation for communication and trust begins.
Infants need to be able to safely explore their world through their senses, be invited (through modeling) to learning the meaning of words, read facial expressions and body language.

The job of the toddler is to play, move! They need opportunities to experience process, doing things for the sake of doing them. They need to see caring adults modeling sharing, taking turns, social skills that do not come naturally to a toddler.
Repetition is important for language development. Read their favorite books, sing their favorite songs over and over and over again. Toddlers respond to comments by the adults in their world that notice when they accomplish something on their own.
These observations/comments are confidence building.

Preschoolers are learning to play cooperatively with their peers versus alongside them. They are learning to appropriately express their emotions, using their words to work things out when there is conflict or disagreement. They need structure, routine and free choice time as well as time for transitions. I find it helpful if I give my students a 10 minute heads up, followed by a 5 min. heads up before I announce that it is time to clean up. They respond "thank you 10" or "thank you 5" to let me know they heard me.  Of course, as in the previous developmental stages, opportunities to explore and experience the environment/world with their senses is essential.


Young school children need supervision without over protection and too much management. They need places and spaces to express their individual interests, make new friends, participate in cooperative vs. competitive activities and open spaces to use their large motor muscles. They are capable of having input on ground rules, activity planning, schedule. Working with the adults on establishing how things will run is empowering and confidence building.

 

[Sarahcool28]

Each age group needs social, emotional, physical and intellectual guidance and learning activities for their development.

[Alexus]

Each age group - infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and young school-agers - need social, emotional, physical, and intellectual activities geared toward their specific level of development.

[Heather]

All early learners have needs that must be met so that they can develop.

Infants need close contact with caregivers, and caregivers have to be attentive to infant's needs. Infants need opportunities to explore their world with their bodies, from young infants beginning to discover their hands to older infants beginning to walk. They need to be talked to and included in conversations with their caregiver to develop language learning.

Toddlers need to be able to feel safe to make mistakes, to be a part of daily activities, and to have their language learning supported by caregivers. Their language acquisition is increasing daily, and constantly including them in conversations about their world is very important. They also need support in developing social skills like sharing and playing.

Preschoolers need opportunities to exercise independence through interactions with individual children or as a group. Children in this category are beginning to be able to take care of themselves and their own needs. Asking open-ended questions can create conversations and learning opportunities throughout the day. Preschoolers are able to understand more social development concepts like sharing, but will need to be reminded or have it role-modeled by caregivers and older children.