Stimulating socio-emotional development: 3 -6 months

Close people and time with them are sources of the most important experiences when it comes to socio-emotional development at this age.

Babies need to see your face, hear your voice and feel your closeness

• Look at the baby, talk by addressing her, name body parts, sing, smile. Make faces and notice how the baby reacts. Sometimes they will imitate you. Routines, such as changing diapers and feeding, are daily opportunities and don't miss them.

• When you talk and sing to the baby, hearing your voice further encourages the development of connections between brain cells. Your voice will encourage the baby to react - he can watch you carefully, smile, respond with voices or body movements. Enjoy it, the baby will feel your joy. You can also play nice music, but it can't replace your voice.

• Hold the baby in your arms, touch and cuddle her. When she is in your arms, the baby feels loved and safe. Don’t be afraid to spoil her. When the baby feels safe with you, then he is calm and curious, more ready to explore the world and new impressions.

Observe and react to the expressed feelings in the child

• The child recognizes your feelings and reactions and he reacts to them. Both - the emotional states of the child and your reaction are a whole. Your reactions help the child to regulate the strength of feelings, resolve discomfort and gain trust in the relationship with you.

• Express feelings when you are with your child, gently and noticing how your child reacts. Name the feelings you recognize in the child. Show joy while you are with the child and tell the child how much you love him.

• Notice when your baby is looking at you or trying to reach you, because that means he wants contact with you. Respond to that. Your reactions help your baby recognize his aspirations and discover that you are capable of it as well. That is how he feels important, safe and loved.

• Sometimes your baby is in a bad mood or experiencing unpleasant feelings. Your support and help are needed to make the condition more bearable or to eliminate the causes. Your composure and calmness, gentle movements and voice, mean a lot to your baby.