Answer to Question #91292 in English for Khutso

Question

1. Discuss the differences and similarities in the way in which babies and toddlers are comforted.

Answer 1

How to Comfort Babies and Toddlers

Parents can use many techniques to comfort their babies (infants under a year old) and toddlers (infants between one to three years old). The first method that parents can use to comfort both babies and toddlers is singing. Music is a universal language which can be used to comfort people from all walks of life; infants included. With time, parent come to realize that singing the same song over and over again is not only comforting but also soothing to children especially those aged three years and below (Hutchinson, 2019). In line with this, turning on devices with a rhythmic sound, such as a vacuum cleaner or a humming fan can give the same result. Other methods includes giving the baby or the toddler a warm bath, and cuddling and holding the baby close among others. 

While these methods may work for both babies and toddlers, there are methods that are either baby-specific or toddler-specific; they cannot work for both. Most baby-comforting techniques, if not all, can work for toddlers too, but only a few toddler-comforting techniques can work for babies. Why? Age is a significant factor when comforting infants. Unlike babies, toddlers are in the stage of learning how to walk, communicate and feed themselves (“Ways to Comfort a Crying Baby” 2019). For example, taking a toddler for ride in a stroller will work fine for a toddler as it align with their growing curiosity but it will not work for babies whose brain is still young to understand whatever is happening. Also, playing with toddlers work better with toddlers than babies considering that the former has already learned how to express themselves better (How to Soothe a Crying Toddler: 18 to 24 Months | Education.com” 2019). While these techniques may work universally, it is important for parents to consider learning which comforting technique works best for their infants. 

References

How to Soothe a Crying Toddler: 18 to 24 Months | Education.com. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.education.com/magazine/article/crying-toddler/ 

Hutchinson, A. (2019). Difference between an infant and a toddler | Difference Between. Retrieved from https://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-an-infant-and-a-toddler/ 

Ways to Comfort a Crying Baby. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/sig42808