The fifth monthActivity When lying on his tummy, the five-month old baby will lift the head and chest fairly high off the mattress; he lifts the head and shoulders when lying on his back. Is able to bend his knees and suck his toes. He becomes more and more mobile, readily rolling from his back to the tummy position. He tends to rock and roll the entire body, twist and turn. If lying on his back, he will press his feet against a hard surface or kick at it forcefully. He can readily be pulled to a standing position, and if supported under the arms, will often jump the body up and down, or stamp the feet alternately on the surface he is standing on. Lying on his tummy, he will extend his limbs and arch the back and rock. His ability to sit increases and he may now sit in a position, with a firm back, for up to thirty minutes. He keeps his head steady and erect during this time. If he is pulled up, he assists by bending his head forward, flexing his trunk, and drawing his legs towards his tummy. When seated, he is able to grasp objects readily. His finer hand movements are gradually developing. He tends to grasp for objects with the thumb and index finger. He will play with objects offered, such as a rattle, or he may hold his bottle either with one or both hands. His aim is improving, and he will reach for items he wishes to have, and grasps for them when they are reached. He can readily use both hands, and will tend to exchange items from hand to hand, and frequently waves them in the air. Talk Ability at making more understandable noises increases. He makes 'vowel' sounds (such as ee, ay, ey, ah, ooh) and a few of the consonants (such as m, 1, b, d). He tends to sing and talk away to himself, or to his toys and playthings. He often uses baby talk to attract attention. He still gazes intently at the mouths of others as they talk, and after hearing others talk he will often try to mimic the same sounds. He becomes a good imitator, and indeed this is an integral part of baby's method of learning how to talk. It is possible for a baby to mimic nearly any audible sound. He becomes actively responsive to extraneous noises, and will turn his head in the appropriate direction, looking for the person speaking or for the source of the noise. He has learnt to recognise and understand his own name—a major achievement! Mind The baby is becoming more and more mentally alert and is able to remain acute for an hour or even longer. If placed in a new environment, he will look around and size up the situation. He will make a deliberate effort to find the source of sound and to follow it around with his eyes; he will often follow an object until it disappears, such as a person walking from the room. When he is reaching for objects, his eyes carefully follow the movement to help him. As he reaches for an item, his eyes will dart from his hand to the object until he is successful. He will tend to reach for objects in front of him, bringing his hands together from the sides towards the midline. Often he overreaches or under-reaches, frequently with clenched fists, but his degree of success gradually increases. If he sees part of an object, he can visualize what it looks like in its entirety. Often he will search for a fast-moving object. If he drops a favourite plaything, he will look around in search for it. If something is impeding his vision close by, he will try to brush it aside. His ability of remembering familiar objects increases, and he can easily recall immediate past actions, or objects. He can readily identify his parents' faces, his brothers and sisters, and he knows strangers are strangers. He may resent the latter, particularly women. He makes a deliberate effort to mimic noises and movements. This ability steadily increases. He makes efforts to alter his environmental situation, either by repetition or by additional movements. If he is playing with blocks, he will grasp one, then suddenly-become interested in a second one. Grasping for the latter, he will then drop the first. This process goes on and on. Relationships He tends to show definite mood changes, indicates fear, disgust and anger. He can distinguish faces reflected in a mirror, and will often smile and react to reflections, such as his own or his mother's. He increasingly interacts with others, especially human faces and voices that he recognizes. He can discern the familiar and the unfamiliar. He smiles and makes throaty noises as a means of making social contact. He shows anticipation. He will raise his arm and wave it; will put both arms up indicating he wishes to be held. He likes being close to persons who come near to him and will cling to a person holding him. He learns to tease, and will give baby talk trying to interrupt others during their conversation. If he is crying, this often ceases when he is talked to. He may indicate protest—for example, when a person tries to take a toy from him. Enjoys being played with, and will enjoy a good frolic. He plays with his toys, pats his bottle or mother's breast. He takes less readily to the breast, preferring solids. He may start to use a cup. Each morning he wakes at a fairly regular hour. *5\87\2* General Health «Levitra Online» |