And one cannot force development or maturation until the bud or cocoon has developed fully. A baby born a little prematurely, or one with a low or very low birth weight, is spending most of her time surviving. She needs good nutrition and rest in order to not only survive but thrive. And she also needs help in blooming or thriving - but in a gentle, caring way. It is important for us to know and understand this difference as we develop ECD programs, practices and media.
All children are different.
Therefore, there cannot be only one set of guidelines for all caregivers and all children. There are, of course, many commonalties just as there are predictable developmental milestones. But we must be cautious of any recipe for parenting. Some children thrive on and need more stimulation. Even some babies who are disabled seem to improve best when various systems receive increased stimulation.