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Be warm, loving, and responsive
When children receive warm, responsive care, they are more likely to feel safe
and secure with the adults who take care of them.
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Respond to your child’s cues and clues
Recognize and respond to the sounds, movements, and expressions that your
child makes. Talk to your baby all the time.
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Talk, read, and sing to your child
All of these interactions help your child’s brain make the connections it
needs for growth and later learning.
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Establish routines and rituals
Routines give children a sense of security and are reassuring. Routines can
also make bedtime or naptime easier. Your child looks forward to that song you
sing or book you share before sleeping.
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Encourage safe exploration and play
As infants grow, they need to explore their world. Children actually learn
through playing.
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Make TV watching selective
Watch television with your child, and talk about what you are viewing. Don’t use
TV
as a baby-sitter.
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Use discipline as an opportunity to teach
In addition to consistent and loving adult supervision, teach your child
limits. Be firm but loving, and never hurt or shake your child.
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Recognize that each child is unique
Children grow at different rates. Their ideas and feelings reflect parents’
and caregivers’ attitudes toward them. One child may be very outgoing. Another
child may be shy and slow to warm up to new situations.
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Choose quality child care and stay involved
Visit your child care provider often and seek someone who responds warmly and
responsively to your child’s needs in an individual way. Find a setting that
is clean and safe. Make sure there are enough staff people for the number of
children there. Carefully check all the provider’s references.
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Take care of yourself
Parents need care, too. When you are tired or overwhelmed, you may have a
harder time meeting the needs of your young children. Take time to relax (read a book, go for a walk, sit quietly) each day – if
only for 10 to 15 minutes. Find someone who can help take care of your child (a
family member, friend, or child care provider) so you can get some time for
yourself to rejuvenate. Taking time for yourself isn’t selfish – it’s one of the
best things you can do for your child!
(From www.iamyourchild.org)
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