Leap 2: The world of patterns

Question 1

What happens during the second leap?

Answer 1

• Starts to recognize recurring shapes, patterns, and structures.
• Might begin to distinguish patterns in sounds, smells, tastes, and textures.
• This new awareness is not just confined to what is going on outside the body but includes an enhanced perception of what is happening inside their body.
• Baby may be able to maintain certain positions, not only with their head, body, arms, and legs, but also with smaller parts of their bodies (might make all kinds of different facial expressions).
• Might make explosive sounds because they can keep their vocal cords in certain positions.
• May focus on objects more intensely since they have more control over their eye muscles.
• Many of the automatic reactions (reflexes) your baby had at birth will start to disappear. They will be replaced by something similar to voluntary movements.
• Typically finds and explores hands and feet.

Question 2

Signs baby is beginning the leap (fussy phase).

Answer 2

• Cry more often than before
• Want to be kept busy, more than usual
• Lose your appetite
• Shyer with strangers all of a sudden; you only want to be with…
• You cling more than usual
• Sleep poorly
• Sucks thumb, or does so more often

Question 3

What brain changes happen during this leap?

Answer 3

• approximately 7 to 8 weeks, a baby’s head circumference dramatically increases.
• Researchers have recorded changes in brain waves of babies 6 to 7 weeks.
• approximately 7 weeks , a change takes place in how a baby reaches and grabs things. Up until now, it was a reflex, but developments in the higher levels of the brain start to take over. This reorganization allows your baby to realize their hands belong to them and they can also try to use them to grab at a toy, for instance. (114)

Question 4

How to help baby during this phase?

Answer 4

• Best way to help baby make this leap is to develop the skills that they find most interesting.
• Show the baby you’re enthusiastic about every attempt they make to learn something new.
• Try to find a balance between providing enough challenges and demanding too much of them. Try to discover what they enjoy doing the most.
• Stop as soon as you notice that they have had enough.
• Let baby play alone if they want to, offer verbal encouragement, and comfort when asked.
• Change out what they can look at. Talk to them about the objects. Let them grab and feel objects.
• Babies love anything new, and it’s important to respond when you notice any new skills or interests. They will enjoy it if you share these new discoveries, and this will accelerate their learning progress

Question 5

What is observable during the easy period?

Answer 5

• Baby may not require as much attention as they did in the past.
• They are interested in their surroundings, in people, animals, and objects.
• It seems as if they suddenly understand and clearly recognize a whole new range of things.
• Their need to constantly be with you may diminish.
• If you pick them up, they may squirm and wiggle in discomfort and attempt to sit up in your arms as much as possible.
• The only time they might seem to need you is when you are willing to show them things of interest.