Top 10 Things for the Best Start in Life
#1 Encourage Interaction
A child’s brain grows based on early experiences at home. The more interactions a child has, the healthier his/her development will be.
What Can Parents Do?
• Respond quickly to your baby’s needs
• Speak in a soft, slow voice
• Get down to your child’s level; involve yourself in your child’s play
• Engage your child in conversation
• Be present in your child’s life
#2: Offer Physical Affection
Physical affection communicates love to young children, which in turn fosters positive emotional growth.
What Can Parents Do?
• Be gentle and responsive to your baby’s cues
• Massage your infant
• Hold your child when feeding him/her
• Rock your baby and look into his/her eyes
• Hold your child on your lap when playing or reading
• Hug your child often
#3: Provide a Stable Relationship
Children who have a stable relationship with at least one caregiver learn at a faster pace, feel better about themselves, and make friends more easily.
What Can Parents Do?
• Hold your child on your lap during stressful situations, such as a doctor’s visit
• Be a loving, consistent presence for your child
• Create an environment that allows your child to explore, but set limits to show both guidance and care
• Be predictable, nurturing and calm when interacting with your child
#4: Maintain a Safe, Healthy Home
Creating a safe and healthy home environment allows you to maximize your child’s growth with minimal risk.
What Can Parents Do?
• Child-proof your home
• Use age-appropriate car seats
• Be aware of the dangers of lead poisoning found in old paint chips and paint dust
• Feed your child a healthy, nutritious diet and avoid high-fat foods
• Visit your child’s physician and dentist regularly
• Ensure your child is up-to-date on immunizations
• Encourage outdoor play and exercise
#5: Develop Strong Self-Esteem
A strong sense of self is the foundation for healthy development in young children.
What Can Parents Do?
• Recognize and celebrate that every child is unique from birth
• Discover who your child is and value his/her identity
• Encourage your child to express himself/herself
• Praise your child with concrete positive feedback
• Respect your child and teach him/her to respect himself/herself and others
#6: Choose Quality Childcare
Since childcare settings can be a primary learning environment for children, the quality of the childcare setting is very important.
What Can Parents Do?
• Take an active role in selecting the best childcare for your child
• Visit the childcare center with your child to determine your child’s comfort level
• Ask yourself these questions when selecting childcare:
- Is it a safe, supportive environment?
- Do they serve nutritious food?
- Do the childcare providers appear to enjoy interacting with the children?
- What are the ratios of caregivers to children? Look for the following ratios: 1 caregiver: 3-4 children (ages 0 - 3)
- Do the adults speak respectfully to the children and encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings?
- Are the adults down on the floor playing with the children?
- Does the center welcome parental involvement?
- Do the children appear happy?
#7: Engage in Conversation
Communicating with your child not only shows love, but also encourages the development of his/her speech patterns.
What Can Parents Do?
• Talk to your baby, early and often
• Sing to and with your child
• Use a broad vocabulary to expose your child to many different words
• Engage your child in conversation
• Read aloud to your child and ask questions of him/her
#8: Promote Play
Playing provides children with an outlet for imagination and creativity and fosters healthy brain development.
What Can Parents Do?
• Be your child’s playmate, engage in their play
• Encourage play by using everyday household items in creative ways
• Get to know your child through play
Tip #9: Make Music
Music offers children an outlet for expression and stimulates brain development in specific areas including language and reasoning.
What Can Parents Do?
• Involve your child in music
• Sing, clap, rock, dance, tap your feet together with your child
• Encourage your child to make his/her own music using household items
• Play music in your home and encourage your child to sing and dance
#10: Make Reading a Priority
Reading with children demonstrates a love for books and learning, and is a wonderful way for parents and children to spend quality time together.
What Can Parents Do?
• Read to your child everyday
• When you read to your child, hold him/her on your lap
• Point to pictures and ask questions
• Repeat the same book to help your child make the connection between the written page and the spoken word
• Write down a story your child tells you – show them their words in writing
