It can be jarring for a child to be picked up off the floor suddenly without knowing, or frightening to have an adult swoop in from behind to wipe their nose. These are examples that if you can communicate what you are going to do beforehand, can have a much different impact. We often interpret a baby’s lack of language as a lack of understanding, and this could not be further from the truth. Babies understand much more than we give them credit for and pick up from our verbal cues. It is important to communicate as often as possible while caring for your baby.
Step Four – Play every day
Play is the most important way we learn throughout our life. In the first year of life, brain growth happens faster than any other time, and most of that happens through play.
It is important to understand that play must be repetitive. An infant will put the same toy in their mouth over and over again as a way to understand everything about it.
They will drop a ball in a box, pull it out, and do it again countless times. This needs to be supported and encouraged for their cognitive and physical development. Join them! Play with them not only because it’s important for them, but because it’s fun for you too.
There are no limits to the games you can play, or the songs you can sing, or the giggles you can share together. The big payout to this is that you are supporting a love of learning which will last forever, and at the same time building a strong emotional attachment to your child. As a parent it is easy to get caught up in our grown-up stress, so make sure you set aside time every day to get down on the floor and just play.
Step Five – Routines are important
Again, this step is all about building trust. Babies need routine. It helps them feel secure in the world around them. This does not mean every day must be the same. Some infants take naps at the same time every day and some take naps at completely different times every day.
The important thing is to build routine within that which works for both of you. Follow their lead, but be consistent in your response.
It will not only make their day easier, but yours as well. Repetition is key to a child making sense of the world around them and will support them knowing what to expect during the course of their day.
I hope these steps are helpful for you in your parenting, creating a lasting connection to your child, based on a relationship built on respect and trust.
Brent Friedlander is an Early Childhood Educator and Parent Coach with over 20 years of experience working with children ages 6 weeks through 6 years. After supporting more than 1500 families at a NAEYC Accredited Child Development Center, Brent opened his Parent Coaching practice. On a personal note, Brent enjoys playing music, eating good BBQ, and is a Season Ticket holder for the Portland Thorns women’s professional soccer team. To learn more about Brent or Parent Coaching go to www.love2parent.com.
