Top tips for connecting with your young child by age
The formative relationships between children and parents are formed throughout the first few years of a child's existence, which are also crucial for their cognitive development.
In fact, between birth and age three, a child's brain experiences an astounding period of development during which more than a million new synaptic connections are made every second. And up until about age 5, that growth keeps accelerating at a stunning rate. For young children, it's crucial to talk, listen, read, sing, and play games.
All of these little moments matter, whether they are a purposeful activity like reading books before bed, or a simple everyday ritual like singing a song while changing diapers. They help youngsters develop vital communication skills, emotional health, and connections of trust with carers.
Depending on your child's age and what they need at each stage of early development, we provide advice on how to interact and relate to them.
- Developing a connection with your 0 to 12 month infant:
Communication abilities in children begin to develop the moment they are born. The brain of a newborn baby is roughly one-third the size of an adult's, but it more than doubles in volume within 90 days, growing to 55% of its eventual size.
The voices of their parents are among the first significant sounds that newborns learn to identify. Babies also learn to distinguish the sounds that make up language as they mature, including the structure of syllables, phrases, and sentences.
These are the best methods to connect with your 0 to 12-month-old, say child development specialists and physicians.
Practice skin-to-skin contact:
Skin-to-skin contact is an excellent way to connect with your young child. It promotes bonding and helps regulate the baby's temperature and heart rate. You can practice skin-to-skin contact by holding your baby close to your chest without any clothes in between. This practice can be done anytime, but it is especially helpful right after birth or during breastfeeding.
Talk to your child:
Even if your child is too young to talk back, talking to them is crucial for their development. You can talk to your child while changing their diapers, feeding them, or simply cuddling with them. Use a soft, gentle voice, and describe what you're doing or feeling. This helps your child understand that you are present and attentive to their needs.
Display feelings and facial expressions: Children too go through emotions. Make faces that reflect the feelings they are experiencing. As you do this, converse with them so they can learn to connect words to feelings. Hold discussions using only your facial expressions. They will learn to read and comprehend other individuals through these "conversations without words." Engaging with someone in this way when they are going through difficult emotions can both validate their emotions and start the process of teaching someone to have empathy.
Show affection and physical touch:
Showing affection and physical touch is crucial for building a strong bond with your child. You can give hugs, kisses, or simply hold hands. Touch is a powerful way to communicate love and reassurance to your child.
- Developing a relationship with your 1 to 2 year child:
Although kindergarten and preschool are typically thought of as the beginning of a child's "formal" education, you are your child's first and most significant teacher. Fortunately, you can skip the lesson plan. Even the simplest of tasks, like doing the dishes or reading a child a bedtime story, can be a teaching opportunity. Children are developing their ability to recognise sounds and form neural connections at this age. The development of critical reading, thinking, and learning abilities. Continue conversing with them and strolling beside them. The finest ways to interact with your 1- to 2-year-old are listed below.
Sing and dance together:
Music is a powerful tool for connecting with your child. You can sing lullabies to soothe your baby or play upbeat music and dance together. Singing and dancing together not only promotes bonding but also helps with your child's language and motor development.
When possible, sing your child's favourite song while using their name. Invite your audience to dance or sing along. Activities involving music and movement promote cooperative play, listening, and turn-taking. The more sounds they are exposed to, the more they will value language.
Play games and do activities together:
Playing games and doing activities together is a fun way to connect with your child. You can play peek-a-boo, hide-and-seek, or simply make funny faces together. As your child grows older, you can do more complex activities like playing with building blocks or doing puzzles.
Try different games:
Play with commonplace items while they observe you. Say "goodbye" and cover their toys with a blanket. Remove the blanket and introduce yourself. Repeat, then let them catch on. Your youngster is learning the concept of objects existing even while they are hidden from view, which is a genuinely fundamental ability that matures with age. Also, they are learning how to improve their memory and retain mental images of objects.
- Developing a relationship with your 2- to 3-year-old:
Adult participation in learning and stimulation is encouraged. The best "toy" for your toddler is you, even though it's excellent to have a variety of intriguing, colourful playthings at home. The most beneficial things you can do with your child include talking, reading, and singing, and they don't cost anything or take up any room in the toy box. Match socks, sort laundry by colour, and fold towels into shapes. Set the table for dinner while singing and making "music" with kitchen implements.
At this age, toddlers are starting to learn how to explore the world. Include children in your daily activities to help them gain the knowledge they need about how the world operates. There are countless opportunities.
Get down to their level:
When talking to a 2 to 3-year-old, it's essential to get down to their level, both physically and emotionally. Sit or kneel beside them and make eye contact.
Use simple language:
Keep your language simple and easy to understand. Avoid using complex words or long sentences.
Play with them:
Play is a crucial part of a child's development. Spend time playing with your child and engage in activities that they enjoy. It could be playing with toys, reading books, or singing songs.
Listen to them:
Listen to your child and pay attention to what they say. Show interest in their activities and ideas. Encourage them to express themselves, even if it's just through gestures or sounds.
Be patient:
2 to 3-year-olds are still learning how to communicate and express themselves. Be patient with them and don't get frustrated if they don't understand something or have trouble communicating.
Give them choices:
Allow your child to make choices, even if it's something small like choosing what to wear or what to eat. This can help them develop a sense of autonomy and independence.
Be present:
It's essential to be present and attentive when you're with your child. Put away your phone and other distractions and focus on spending quality time with your child.
- Developing a relationship with your 3- to 4-year-old:
Kids are like sponges, as the saying goes when it comes to early learning. It is accurate to say that a child's brain grows in significant ways during the first five years of life, and scientific study confirms this. It is similar to strength training for the mind to exercise your child's brain in these early years. You may assist your child's brain develop connections that will have an everlasting impact on their life by talking, reading, and singing to them.
Play together:
Play is an essential part of a child's development, and it's a great way to connect with your child. Engage in activities that they enjoy and show interest in their games and ideas.
Encourage their independence:
3 to 4-year-olds are starting to become more independent, so give them opportunities to make choices and take responsibility for simple tasks.
Read together:
Reading together is a great way to bond with your child while also promoting their language and literacy skills. Let your child choose the books they want to read and make it a daily habit.
Listen actively:
Your child may be starting to communicate more complex thoughts and feelings, so make sure to actively listen and respond to them. Encourage them to express themselves and validate their feelings.
Use positive reinforcement:
Positive reinforcement is an effective way to encourage good behavior and promote positive communication. Praise your child when they do something well and offer rewards for good behavior.
Be patient and consistent:
Young children are still learning how to regulate their emotions and behaviors. Be patient and consistent in your responses to help them develop these skills.
Spend quality time together:
Make sure to set aside time each day to spend one-on-one with your child. This could be playing a game, going for a walk, or doing a craft together. The goal is to create positive memories and strengthen your bond.
- Developing a relationship with your 4- to 5-year-old:
Kids are like sponges, as the saying goes when it comes to early learning. It is accurate to say that a child's brain grows in significant ways during the first five years of life, and scientific study confirms this. It is similar to strength training for the mind to exercise your child's brain in these early years. You may assist your child's brain develop connections that will have an everlasting impact on their life by talking, reading, and singing to them.
Connecting with a 4 to 5-year-old can be a fun and rewarding experience as they continue to develop their personalities and communication skills. Here are some tips that can help:
Engage in imaginative play: