Positive attention from day one
A child's sense of security and safety is built from a nurturing, responsive relationship with caregivers. If you smile at the baby when he/she looks at you, support and encourage the child when he/she is insecure or scared, notice the child's interest, motivate him/her for further activity - the child will feel safe with you and will be ready to explore the world with you, and later with other significant people.
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So, foster positive attention from the first day of life:
- smile when your baby looks at you or smiles at you
- comfort the baby when he/she cries
- respond to the sounds the baby makes: tell him/her something, or imitate his/her sounds
- talk to the baby while keeping eye contact
- keep the child's attention by changing the tone of your voice or facial expression
- speak gently, slowly and softly
- follow what the baby is interested in and encourage him/her to explore - take, reach, try, throw, move, follow with his/her eyes, search: smile, name what he/she does, acknowledge his/her success with your voice and words
- wait for the baby's response: give the baby time to react, no matter how simple that reaction may be. When you call him/her, the baby needs time to understand what you are asking of him/her and look in your direction
- wait and give the baby a big smile and lots of nice words when he/she succeeds. When you talk to him/her, the baby may want to make a sound and "tell" you something
- allow the baby time to participate. Watch him/her and when he/she changes his/her facial expression, mouth position or makes a sound, welcome this behavior with a lot of smiles and gentle words.
