Question

what strategies will you use to holistically support an infant's development and learning?

Answer 1

​​​​ Strategies holistically support for an infant development and learning

That means an infant's development whole person  not only just their mental needs. The support also needs to includes the development of mentally, physically ,emotionally ,socially,spiritually well being as well as cognitive aspects of learning that are:

The changes in the Infant between birth and the age of 1 year are dramatic. The care of Infant also be altered during this period .Mother is the significant person for the promotion of psychosocial development. Health Care providers should assist the parents to make decisions and to take care of their children according to the individual child's needs.

-Early detection of problems of the Infant and seeking consultancy from health professionals. Wearing signs and danger signs should be explained to the parents for anticipation of 'at risk' or 'high-risk condition'.

-Maintenance of nutritional requirements, hygiene gentle handling, safety measures should be emphasized.

-Importance of immunizations, play simulation and healthy environment need to be informed.

-Avoidance of emotional Deprivation, and trauma due to separation anxiety from Mother.

-Promotion of Health Care activities in the late infancy for the improvement of Independence by self feeding ,self-directed play, etc.

-Maintenance of Health and immunization record along with special events in the first year of life.

-Acceptance of infants as they are with their different characteristics especially avoiding gender biases and providing equal opportunities with love ,affection ,safety and security

In Learning

Toilet training:The self -care skills depend upon the development of fine muscle control cognitive abilities ,ability to communicate ,and environmental situations. It is also depends upon culture pattern ,socio economic status of the family and lifestyle of parents.

The achievement of control over elimination develops when the child is operating on the basis of reality principle rather than pleasure principle. The child Learns this control when the family and the society do not approve the behaviour of toddler to excrete whenever like the Infant does. If parents give high priority on cleanliness, the child takes the elimination control on moral value. Excessive emphasis on cleanliness inhibit this normal development.

During first 3 months of life, the Infant tends to defecate after each field due to gastrocolic reflex.This reflex becomes weak by the age of 4 months. Bowel movement becomes regular without any relation to feed at about 7 months of age. The Infant can be placed on potty seat or toilet seat at the age of 10 months, as sitting without support usually achieved with in this age.

Prevention of accidents and safety precautions:

prevention of accidents requires three things. That is forethought,time,and discipline. First is forethought,i.e, the anticipation of possible risks of accident to the child. Second is time, which is needed sufficiently to supervise and watch the child and his activities. Third is the discipline, which needs to be well-balanced to prevent the accidental hazards.

Parents play a major role in prevention of accidents and safety precautions. Family members also need to contribute to follow the safety measures to prevent these hazards. In hospital ,nursing personnel are responsible to maintain safety precautions to prevent accidents.So

-Never leave and Infant alone on cot or table or in unprotected place to prevent fall.

-Never give very small things to the child.

-Toys should not have removable small parts which can be aspirated or put into the ear on nose.

-Never feed solids which are difficult to chew example groundnut

-Coins, buttons, beads ,Marbles must not be left with in child's reach.

-Keep the stove or fire source and hot things far away from the child

-Electrical appliances should be kept out of reach.

-Never leave the Infant near water tub or pond and never allowed to go out alone.