Baby's Learning Experience

A baby's physical, mental and social development is rapid in the first year of life. From the moment of birth all his senses are developed sufficiently to enable him to begin to understand his surroundings and learn from experience. Ethan was two months old when his pediatrician suggested we re-do the new-born screening test. When I took him for the re-testing, the medical technologist was having problems locating a vein to stick the needle to Ethan. After two attempts, the medtech was still unsuccessful. By this time Ethan was wailing like a siren. He did not like being swaddled so the medtech can poke him. On the third attempt, as the nurse started to swaddle him, Ethan let out loud wail and started wagging his feet so as to "intimidate" the nurse about to wrap him again. The medtech was quite impressed that Ethan, at 2 months old, was able to figure out that swaddling meant needle poking.

Each baby is born with individual characteristics. He will respond to people and situations and will learn from his experiences. Physical, mental and emotional progress are closely related. Every child learns to cope with situations and with people by watching, listening and imitating.