Great minds are shaped in the cradle 
by loving parents, caregivers

By Peggy J. LeVrier

Parents and caregivers have known for a long time that their role is very important. The latest research shows that children's early attachments have a vital impact on their brain development.

Providing basic health and safety needs are essential. Regular check-ups, timely immunizations and good nutrition will start your baby on a healthy journey. Be sure that your home is "child-proofed" and secure them in the back seat of your car strapped securely into a car seat.

Here are some other guidelines that will promote your children's healthy development and prepare them for school success:

* Respond to your baby's clues and cues - Infants have enjoyed the warm, safe environment 
   of their Mommy's womb where they heard her heartbeat and never experienced cold or 
   hunger. After birth, the baby's stress response system turns on when he or she is cold, 
   hungry or upset. The baby communicates his or her distress through crying. When the 
   caregiver responds by answering his or her needs, then the baby's stress response system 
   turns off and the brain cells work together and teach the infant how to calm his or herself.

* Give warmth, attention and love - Children not only thrive when they are touched, rocked, 
   talked to, smiled at, sung and read to but they form a secure attachment with their parents 
   and caregivers. Touching stimulates the brain to release hormones that are necessary for 
   growth.

* Read, talk and sing - Describing to your baby what you are doing, singing songs about 
   people and places and making up stories is the foundation for your child's later learning. 
   Early conversations help develop the language and speech part of your infant's brain. 
   Reading, singing and talking will promote closeness between you and your baby. Picture 
   books are great for reading to infants. You will see an interest by about six months as your 
   baby shows excitement through his or her widening eyes and movements of their arms and 
   legs when she sees other babies and common objects in his environment in the story.

* Set Routines - Babies need predictability to understand their world and to know what to 
   expect from it. Your baby will be reassured and feel safe in a routine. Research shows that 
   babies who have experienced a safe routine in their infancy do better in school.

* Be selective in television viewing - Children learn more from interacting with a human being 
   than watching television. Some TV Programs can distort a baby's images since they cannot   
   distinguish reality from fantasy. Children whose parents limit and are selective of their 
   children's TV viewing do better in school.

* Discipline to teach - Redirect your baby from danger to safety while you give an explanation 
   for your actions. For example, the them "you may play with the ball, but not the extension 
   cord." Remember that young children are impulsive and will continue to "test the waters."

* Encourage safe play and experimentation - Interaction between the baby and her parents 
   form the basis for all subsequent learning. In the early stages of life the parents are the baby's 
   entire world. When the baby begins to crawl she can explore the world outside of her 
   parents. It is important to encourage exploration, but be cognizant when your baby needs to 
   return to you for security. By using their five senses babies learn through play. Play with them 
   often at their level.

* Descry your baby's "specialness" - All children grow at different rates and have different 
   temperaments. Your children's opinion of themselves will be reflected in large portion your 
   attitude toward them.

* Select high-quality child care - A high-quality child care facility can increase your child's 
   learning experiences and foster his social skills when he goes to school. When you are 
   looking for child care, observe the caregivers with the children in their care. Are they 
   interacting with them at their level? Is the facility clean? Do they serve nutritious meals? What 
   are the caregivers' credentials? If it is a daycare center, is it National Association of the 
   Education for the Young Child (NAEYC) accredited or are they working toward that goal? 
   Visit the center unannounced at different times of the day. Be involved in the center's 
   activities.

* Be kind to yourself - Taking care of your baby is the most wonderful, important, challenging 
   and exhausting job in our society. Your baby will recognize if you are tired, irritable, 
   depressed or overburdened. Mothers who are distressed in the early years of their children's 
   lives are less likely to be "in tune" with their baby's clues and cues. This can have a long 
   lasting effect on the child. Reach out and ask for help from family, friends, pediatricians, and 
   neighbors and caregivers when you need a break. Be kind to yourself so you can be kind to 
   your baby.

Peggy LeVrier has served as an early childhood educator for 35 years and is the owner and facilitator of Peggy's Positive Parenting in La Porte. For more parenting information, you can contact her at (281) 748-9176 or pjlevrier@houston.rr.com 


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