Caring for and Being with Your Child

Responding to Your Baby’s Cues

Right from birth, babies are able to communicate. These first cues and signals range from subtle to undeniable. The baby is not only teaching the people around them about their needs and wishes, they are also learning about how the world and the people around them will meet and honor the needs and wishes they express.

Taking it Slowly

These days, the world around us moves fast enough. It can be easy to get caught up in that hurried pace, but what the child needs is space and time. This is also true for adults. Taking the time to slow down benefits the whole family and home environment. Going a bit slower as you move through the day helps your child calm down and speaking more slowly give them time to hear and understand you.

Building Competence

The child coming into the world is meeting everything for the first time. This is especially true of their bodies and how their bodies move in and interact with the physical world around them. The child learns by doing, and sometimes failing, flailing, and falling. But, giving the child the opportunity to freely explore their bodies and their environment will help them build the confidence and competence they will need to navigate the world all throughout the rest of their lives. 

Caregiving

In the early months and years of a child’s life, it can feel like the moments changing diapers, giving baths, dressing, and feeding your child are never-ending. They are certainly round the clock for the newborn. But, these moments don’t have to feel like a chore, instead they can be a moment of connection with your child. Fortunately, taking the time to slow down and be present with your child can help you find the warmth and joy in these moments of giving care.

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