A real engagement in a meaningful activity and creativity.

Grandmothers with their beautiful smile and cheerful faces for their accomplishment of showing their creativity in making toys.

Grandmothers play a pivotal role in raising their grandchildren at Gilgit Baltistan of Pakistan for the following reasons: - Extended / joint family systems so grandparents are supposed to care for their grandchildren. - Culture, norms and tradition of supporting & protecting parents also increases the chance for their responsibilities. Since education and awareness is increasing and men and women try to improve their economical situation so the grandparents become an engine for the change process. Therefore, engaging them in meaningful activity becomes a great motivational factor for the families. - lack of Old age Care System from the Government side also increases a chance for grandparents to play their roles and responsibilities in caring for their grandchildren. This 'Toy Making Session' really contributed alot to grandparents own motivation. They made very interesting comments saying, "We were thinking, we are not educated and we dont have any importance but today, we learned that we also know alot. Thank God,it means, we are not less important so thanks Rupani Foundation for involving us" This session helped families to create a respectful environment at home and that contributed to children's better care at home.

'Toys Making Session by Grandmothers at Agah Walidain (Informed Parents) Program Rupani Foundation, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan  in 2009.

BENCHMARKS OF DEVELOPMENT

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

1 TO 2 MONTHS	2 TO 4 MONTHS	4  TO 6 MONTHS	6 TO 9 MONTHS	9 TO 12 MONTHS
Responds to positive adult’s speech	Makes gurgling sounds to express emotions	Babbles sounds such as “ba-ba-ba-ba” and “da-da-da-da”but not associate with people	Babbles sounds such as “goo” and “gaa” considered important pre-speech behavior	Says at least one word
		Laughs out loud in response to smile, tickle, gentle bouncing on knee etc	Yells or make loud sounds when tired or happy(ahhhhhh or ehhhhhhh)	Gestures or points to indicate need
			Imitates rise and fall of adult speech in his sounds	Listens to songs, stories or rhymes with interest
			Responds to own name	Imitates sounds like “uh-oh!”
			Understands simple words commands and phrases

BENCHMARKS OF DEVELOPMENT

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

BIRTH TO 1 MONTH	1 TO 3 MONTHS	3 TO 6 MONTHS	6 TO 9 MONTHS	9 TO 12 MONTHS
Makes Demanding cries to communicate	Makes sounds	Laughs to get adult attention	Distinguish voices	Feels anxiety on separation from familiar adults
Shows sense of trust	Smiles at sounds of familiar voices	Responds to smiles with smiling	Distinguish voice tones & emotions	Feels anxiety in presence of strangers
Responds positively to caregivers	Tracks moving persons or objects	Pays close attention to older children and their actions	Plays games with adults & older children	Plays with others
Makes eye contact	Cries to demand attention	Calms self-regulate own distress		Appears angry

BENCHMARKS OF DEVELOPMENT

PHYSICAL/MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

BIRTH TO 2 MONTHS	2 TO 3 MONTHS	3 TO 4 MONTHS
Turns head when cheek is stroked	Turns head easily to both sides in lying on back position	Brings hands to midline while on back
Reacts to loud noises	Lifts head off surface from face down position for 1 to 2 seconds	Rotates or turns head from side to side to explore the environment
Holds head up	Follows moving object with eyes	Pushes down on legs when feet are placed on a firm surface
Makes quick and jerking arm movements	Responds to loud sounds	Smiles when cheeks are stroked
Brings hands to face	Grasps and holds objects briefly
Moves head from side to side while on stomach
Focuses on objects 8 to 12 inches away
4 TO 6 MONTHS	6 TO 9 MONTHS	9  TO 12 MONTHS
Lifts head while in lying on back position	Transfers object from one hand to another	May stand momentarily without support
Holds chest up in face down position with weight on forearms	Uses toes and hands to propel forward or in a circle	Walks with assistance
Rolls from stomach to side	Crawls
Rolls from stomach to back	Grasps small items
Rolls from back to stomach	Sits without support
Stands with support
Brings feet to mouth easily while in lying on back position