Baby’s Developmental Leaps Leap 10 – Systems

Leap Ten happens in approximately the eighteenth month. At this stage, the baby already knows how to control his desires and also understands his parents’ will more clearly. However, the baby’s way of expressing (wants and needs) is still difficult. He may lose his appetite a little and also have nightmares at this stage.

 

In this leap in development, the child begins to develop the ability to perceive and deal with systems. The child is now able to see the world of principles clearly. At this stage, the child begins to understand that he can choose how he wants to be and act: honest, helpful, careful, loving, playful, patient, etc. Or he can choose to be the opposite. From this age, parents begin to realize that the child is already able to defend his values.

This phase is the most important to shape his values and behavior. We will understand later on how this leap works and how parents can help the child’s development in a positive way.

In addition to Leap 10, babies have gone through another 9 developmental leaps before.

 

Let’s understand what Developmental Leaps are and how it is possible to help babies to enjoy this phase smoothly.

What are developmental leaps?

 

For those who have a baby at home, it’s easy to see how quickly they change and develop, isn’t it?

 

Babies seem to adapt very easily to the world outside the womb and, suddenly, when everything seems like roses, they cry and have trouble sleeping, eating, etc.

 

Some mood changes in babies are due to their developmental process. It is very possible that the baby is going through what we call a developmental leap.

 

Developmental leaps are those times when the baby is learning a new skill. These moments are accompanied by some behavioral stress in babies, which we can say is normal, since the baby may be anxious about a new discovery, or feel afraid.  We can say that all changes in life bring discomfort, fear and anxiety, and, with the little ones, it is no different.

 

Babies’ behavior in the face of developmental leaps can vary from one child to the other. Babies are interested in the things that happen around them, or, in other words, in the sensations they feel with new discoveries, however, each baby expresses this in his own way. There are babies who are fascinated by everything they see; other babies prefer to hear sounds. There are those who like warmth and affection all day long. Each baby is unique and will act differently for each sensation.

 

However, we can simplify this process that babies experience and understand what is happening to the baby. Parents can help their child develop and also go through the leaps of development more smoothly. Just identify which jump your child is at the moment and follow the tips we have for each phase of your baby.

Tenth Leap Characteristics – Systems

Now your child can see the world as a system. Imagine that he can understand that all things are interconnected. Whether it is at home with the furniture and interconnected rooms or people who are part of a family,

 

Your child begins to perceive this system in a subtle way, starting with his father and mother, who, together with him, are a family, which is not the same thing as his little friend. He begins to understand that his house is not the same as his neighbor’s and so on.

 

We will understand each step of this leap and how your baby expresses himself in this moment of new sensations and learning.

Self-will and lies

Your child begins to understand that he is also a being, a system. He comes to realize that he has his own desires, his own body and can control it. At this stage, he is thinking in terms of Me, me, me …

Now that he understands that he has control over himself, he will be able to say no when he doesn’t want to do something. An example of this is when you ask him to kiss you and he denies it. Another important point of this phase are the “little lies” that he will start to tell. You can ask a child with a mouthful of chocolate if he has eaten the chocolate and he will answer “No”.

 

Motor skills

Now your child has a new body, more awareness of what he can do and that is why his motor skills are no longer like that of a baby. His movements are faster, more precise and controlled.

 

Window sills, patterns and edges.

At this stage, your child will love to walk in a straight line, trying to keep self balanced.  Let your child play and enjoy this phase. Any lines on the floor, cracks, patterns on the floors will become games to play.

 

My environment is a system

At this stage your child can already identify streets and paths close to home. He already sees a path as a system and can already identify that he is close to home when he is on the street. He identifies which direction certain streets go and can already point to certain places saying: “It’s over there, Mommy.”

 

How to help the baby during the Tenth Leap – Programs

Here are some tips to help your baby go through leap 10 in a more beneficial way for his development and also with more security about the changes that the little one has been developing.

Tip 1: Hide and seek

The game of hide and seek is a lot of fun, it can work his directional skills and also find strategic places to hide. Do not wait too long, he usually hides close to where he counts, it is his limit, but his skills will improve.

Tip 2: Time concept

At this stage your child still cannot tell the time on the clock, but he already understands that some things are accomplished before another. A tip is to always explain things to the child, such as: “Son, first we go to the store and then to the playground.” These conversations are good for him to understand even more about time and waiting.

Tip 3: This is mine and this is yours

Children in this phase are learning what they can mess with and what is not theirs and cannot move. In order for them to improve this perception, the tip is to always talk about things by naming owners, for example: “I’m going to put daddy’s computer away”, “get your ball”, “keep your toy”, “I’ll get my handbag”. This way of speaking helps the child to associate that some things are not theirs and cannot disturb.

 

How to deal with the changes and the returns of each leap?

As we mentioned above, during each leap, the baby may have some not very pleasant changes in appetite, mood and regress a little in sleep.

It’s par for the course, isn’t it? Even we adults have some difficulties in dealing with the new and with changes.  Imagine for the little ones who don’t know anything in this world.

See below some tips that can ease the insecurity and irritability of the baby during these phases of change and be able to enjoy his development in a more peaceful way.

Tip 1 – In these phases of change, babies try to feel safe, even though the new discoveries are fun, they are afraid and, because of this, many babies may need more holding. That way he will feel less of the discomforts of this stage;

Tip 2 – Babies feel safe when they hear the mother’s heartbeat; This sound is familiar to them and brings warmth and security, so you can use a kangaroo or sling to keep your baby closer and bring more comfort to him.

Tip 3 – Stimulate your baby’s skills with every leap. That way he will develop with your support, he will feel more relaxed with the changes and will have a lot of fun with the new discoveries.

Tip 4 – be patient with the changes your baby faces. As difficult as it may be to start a new leap, over time he will adapt and everything will pass.

What are the other leaps in development and when do they happen?

 

The leaps in development happen more or less at specific times. Of course, each baby will have his own time, so we cannot say the exact moment, because each baby is unique. However, we can analyze approximately by the baby’s age and also by his behavior. So, it is important to observe the changes that your baby undergoes, whether in humor or also in the new things he has been doing.

 

In addition to leap number 10 that we described above, there are 9 more leaps in development. Let us understand below what they are and when they occur:

 

 

• 1st Leap – Discovering sensations: Leap one happens approximately in the 1st month. At that moment the baby is already discovering the sensations of his body and also what happens around him. The touch of the mom’s hands, sounds, and many other things.

 

 

• 2nd Leap – Understanding the patterns: Leap two happens approximately in the 2nd month. At this point, the baby is already discovering shapes with contrast and also has a firmer neck, so it can be placed face down to further stimulate his development. In this phase, the baby requires a little more security that he will seek in the mother and during breastfeeding.

 

 

• 3rd Leap – Improving his skills: Leap three takes place approximately in the 3rd month. At this stage, the baby can already see objects clearly and should gradually try to follow them. He already tries (and many already can) move his eyes and head in the direction in which the object is moved. In this phase, the baby can also play with a rattle and hear the sound. He may also begin to cry louder than before.

 

• 4th Leap – Recognizing sounds: Leap four happens approximately in the 4th month. At this stage the baby already begins to emit more acute sounds, and when the father and mother are not around he can make sounds for the purpose of calling to them. This phase can also bring more crying, but it is the phase that the baby begins to play alone more often.

 

• 5th Leap – Making relationships: Leap five happens approximately in the 5th month. At this stage, the baby begins to become more curious to know what happens to and with some things, such as throwing an object on the floor, pulling clothing on labels, earrings, etc. He will also show dissatisfaction when the parents are away from him. In this phase, the baby can get flustered, crying more. Holding and breastfeeding are great allies at this stage.

 

• 6th Leap – Starting to integrate: Leap six happens approximately in the 7th month. At this stage, the baby is already beginning to understand words and demonstrate that he understands some of them. In this phase, he also begins to clap and to want to crawl. He’s going to show more affection for his mother and want to be closer.

 

• 7th Leap – Curiosity about what is and what the things are for: Leap seven happens approximately in the 10th month. At this stage, the baby already begins to understand that objects have specific functions, and he tries to use it in the right way. For example, a ball is to be kicked, a spoon to eat, etc. At this stage, he also begins to demonstrate more of his will, to eat, not to sleep, to play, etc.

 

• 8th Leap – Playing with objects: Leap eight happens approximately in the 11th month. At this stage, your baby begins to use creativity. He also observes what adults do and tries to imitate them. This phase also brings some changes in sleep, and the baby can further express the desire not to sleep.

 

• 9th Leap – Desire for independence: The ninth leap happens approximately at fourteen months. At this stage, the baby already begins to want to dress alone, will also test emotions and start negotiating. This phase is also the time when he begins to not want to go with other people, only with his mother.

 

• 10th Leap – Control of his body: The tenth leap happens approximately in the first year and a half. At this stage, the baby already knows how to control his desires and also understands more clearly his parents’ will. However, expressing himself is still difficult. He may lose his appetite a little and also have nightmares at this stage.

 

Now that you’ve understood how developmental leap ten works, take the opportunity to learn more about these other leaps we mentioned above. The more you understand how each leap works, the easier it will be for the baby and also for you to go through the changes in a calm, meaningful way. Every new step in the development that your baby takes is fun for him, and he has the desire to improve and train new skills. Just encourage and congratulate him so that he can move forward more and more.