Understanding what a baby can do, hear, and understand

Introduction to ‘What a baby can do, hear, and understand’

In this sprint you will develop the following knowledge: 

• I understand the environmental factors that can influence a baby’s development. 
• I can understand and explain that babies respond well to being involved in family life and interaction. 
• I can understand and explain how baby’s communicate when they are overwhelmed. 

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We’re going to look at the environment a baby needs to thrive and develop.

Develop your understanding of ‘What a baby can do, hear, and understand’

Now you understand the environmental factors that can influence a babies development. Let’s explore some theoretical ideas connected to how children learn and develop. 

Sustained shared thinking is defined as ‘An episode in which two or more individuals ‘work together’ in an intellectual way to solve a problem, clarify a concept, evaluate activities, extend a narrative etc. Both parties must contribute to the thinking and it must develop and extend the understanding.’ (Siraj-Blatchford et al., 2002a:8) 

Think about these questions and in particular use page 2 to help you. 

• How do children develop the skills of thinking? 
• Is it possible to do things without thinking? 
• What is the Zone of Proximal Development according to Vygotsky? 
• What does Piaget say about self-initiated discovery? 
• What does Piaget say about thinking coming before language? 
• What does Rogoff say about ‘guided participation? 

Page 10 suggests that co-construction is important. 

“Strong links can be seen with co-construction as evidenced by comments such as ‘generating new ideas,’ ‘engaging with and alongside children to encourage a deeper level of understanding through shared research, questioning, active dialogue and participation,’ ‘by sharing suggestions,’ ‘by sharing ideas,’ and ‘making meaning, constructing understanding.’ This supports Siraj- Blatchford and Sylva (2004:720) in their premise that SST includes elements of co-construction in which both parties are ‘involved’ and the content is ‘instructive’.” 

Further Reading about theoretical ideas. 

Reflect upon ‘What a baby can do, hear, and understand’

Babies and young children communicate their needs in a range of ways. Children’s behaviour is a form of communication.