Tip of the week!

Always pick your baby or young child up from a facing position and never scoop them up from behind. Children need to anticipate what will happen next. Bend down so he can see your face, hold your arms out and tell him you are going to pick him up. Viewing the world through your child's eye will encourage thoughtful and respectful interaction.

more great tips

Being a parent is an exciting journey with lots of special times and challenges along the way. Remember to take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is easier to be a positive, loving parent when you are feeling good yourself.

Take the phone off the hook while you feed, bath or change your baby and talk to him as you go through each process. These full attention moments will develop a loving trusting bond between you and over time, as you set expectations, your child will begin to actively participate in these routines.

Young babies thrive on routine. Ideally eating, sleeping, bathing should happen around the same time and in the same order each day. This natural rhythm of life develops your child’s sense of security as he begins to anticipate each event.

What every young child needs is to feel secure. Talk and sing to your baby, it is soothing for him to hear your voice. Remember your baby is a little person, talk to him as though he understands, you will be amazed at how he responds over time.

Bath or change your baby and talk to him as you go through each process. These full attention moments will develop a loving trusting bond between you and your baby. Over time, as you set expectations, he will begin to actively participate in these routines.

Babies are little people finding their way in the world, slow down your routines and talk your baby through each process so that he has time to understand and participate. Respectful interactions and full unhurried attention creates relaxed, secure, confident children.

From birth you can start to gently communicate nappy changing time and other activities to your child through simple gestures and the sound of your voice. Through regular routines babies eventually learn to anticipate what is expected of them.

Be clear and consistent with behaviour management and role model the behaviour that you expect from your child. Praise your child for doing things that are very difficult like waiting and sharing. Setting clear boundaries allows a child to practice making small decisions and to learn self-control.

When choosing a care environment for your child, ask yourself, if I were the child, would I like to be here? Is the environment safe and nurturing? Will it meet my food, play and sleep needs? Can I move freely and do everything that I would naturally do? Babies learn best in safe, predictable environments.

Pre-schoolers need to be active! They are driven to move and explore. Outdoors is a wonderland for a small child. You have an amazing natural learning environment right at your back door! Watching television is not an active time so is best kept to a minimum.