The other day while at the store, I proceeded to an area next to a mother and her baby who was in his carrier. No sooner had I got into the child’s sight, he began immediately to “coo,” with facial
The other day while at the store, I proceeded to an area next to a mother and her baby who was in his carrier. No sooner had I got into the child’s sight, he began immediately to “coo,” with facial expressions and moving his arms and legs, as if saying “Wow, here’s someone new and different.”
I, of course (who can resist?), became engaged and began talking to him. He continued until I moved out of his sight, soon after, his mother moved into his line of sight, looked at him and smiled, and he began again.
There are many definitions for the word “engage” but the one I like is “to pledge one’s word; assume an obligation.”
In reference to this mother, it is a “pledge” and assumption of “obligation” to her baby that she is collaborating with him in his development and learning. Through these first months of this baby’s life, outside of his mother’s womb (there is evidence that babies learn inside of the womb too). He has already learned how to “engage” others.
Children are constantly learning, right from birth. Their early years are the foundation for growth and development, and what they learn during those years depends on the experiences they have each and every day. This is our greatest challenge as caregivers, as well as our greatest opportunity.
How can parents, grandparents and caregivers support learning? Since children learn in a variety of ways and styles, to achieve developmental milestones the relationship with parents and primary caregivers is essential. It’s a connection that allows for optimum learning.
Most of a child’s experiences involve relationships with caregivers. Newborns come into the world eager for this interaction. They want to connect with you right from the beginning. It is this emotional connection that helps give them the confidence that they need to learn. Science has demonstrated that children who receive lots of love and attention actually learn better. From the very first moments of life with a baby, the love and attention that you share will lay the groundwork for later learning.
Everyday interactions offer the comfort and security that help promote learning:
• Love and affection: Giving a child love and attention helps her feel confident, relaxed and happy, which in turn, promotes her intellectual development.
• A predictable world: Providing routines and consistent responses gives a child a sense that the world is trustworthy and teaches him that he can depend on you.
• Opportunities for fun: Activities that most encourage a child’s brain to grow are those that she enjoys. If she is forced to participate in activities that do not hold her interest, she will tune out.
• The sound of your voice: The newborn brain is especially interested in sounds — the building blocks of speech and language. Let a baby hear your voice as much as possible.
• Understanding and patience: Respond to a child’s needs without worrying that you will spoil him. By responding, you teach him that you care and that he can trust you to read his signals.
• Time to digest new information: Beware of over-stimulation. If a child is exposed to a lot of new information without time to digest and process it, she will tune out or break down.”
• Cathy Shanks is the Kaua’i Coordinator for PATCH Kaua‘i.
