Emotional and linguistic development from one to three months
The development of boys and girls begins from the first moment of life in the different areas:
- Linguistics.
- Engine.
- socio-affective.
The process continues for up to several years after birth. There are critical periods for the normal brain development of the baby.
These are phases in which there is a high level of sensitivity to environmental stimulation.
The most important critical periods are: intrauterine life (pregnancy) and the first year of life.
When they are born, babies begin their development through the interaction they have with the environment.
Little by little, they achieve certain tasks that are known as “developmental milestones”.
Examples of these milestones are:
- turn around for the first time
- smile for the first time
- stand up
- Crawl
- Say your first words
- Take your first steps
The scientific literature refers that neurodevelopment is determined not only by genetics , but also by stimulation and nutrition.
For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to these aspects, especially when there is a diagnosis of heart disease.
Developmental milestones occur in a more or less determined order and at a certain age.
This is why we must know what to expect, in order to monitor warning signs.
These can indicate that there is any and that it is necessary to inform the doctor in a timely manner.
In this article we will talk about the development of babies from the first to the third month of life , in the areas of language and socio-affective (what has to do with emotions).
language development:
Language is a skill that is learned naturally and becomes a fundamental part of communication.
In girls and boys the following forms of language can be recognized:
- Gestural or pre-verbal : facial and manual gestures or grimaces that emerge from 0 to 12 months.
- verbal: speech, which arises and is perfected between 1 to 5 years.
- Written: that arises after 5 years.
In this article we are going to focus on pre-verbal language , which occurs before the child utters his first words. During this stage, the communication that the child establishes is with his immediate environment, usually through simple gestures and sounds.
The development of the baby's language depends on several factors:
- Emotional security:
the baby must perceive that he is in a comfortable and safe environment.
- Linguistic stimulation:
presence of activities such as reading, speaking and singing to the baby. It is important that you pronounce yourself well and clearly.
- Quality of interactions with adults:
how frequent and constant is linguistic stimulation.
- Biological maturation:
nervous system, auditory system, vocal or verbal apparatus, and intelligence.
- Learning processes:
state and progress of higher cognitive functions.
What should we expect from the 1st to the 3rd month in terms of language?
Our baby, as we mentioned, will begin to emit monosyllabic sounds (of a single syllable), such as gurgles or cooing. And, when we speak to him, he will turn his gaze to the sounds.
What are the warning signs?
We must pay attention if our baby does not make any sound, if he does not respond to loud noises or does not pay attention to his mother's voice.
Socio-affective development, baby's emotions:
Socio - affective development includes the way boys and girls feel about themselves and others.
It also refers to how they interpret feelings, regulate their emotions, and express them.
Likewise, form is the dimension that accounts for how they build relationships with others.
It is important that our baby feels safe and loved from the first moment. For this, we must speak to him with affection, caress him, hug him and smile at him.
What should we expect from the 1st to the 3rd month in terms of socio-affective development?
A newborn is able to look and stare into the eyes of people, especially his mother.
Over time he will learn to follow his gaze and realize when there are unfamiliar faces or when his mother is not there . In three months or so he will be able to smile at people.
What are the warning signs?
We must be careful if our baby does not hold our eyes when we talk to him, if he does not follow us with his eyes or if, after three months, he still does not smile back when we smile.