The Children’s Room continues to work closely with the Ossining School District to spread the word about The Ossining Basics. The Basics Campaign is inspired by the fact that 80% of brain development happens in the first three years of life. During this period, skill gaps between socio-economic, racial and, ethnic groups become apparent. This campaign aims to address these issues. These Basics are five fun easy ways to help all children get a great start in life.
This month we highlight:
MAXIMIZE LOVE, MANAGE STRESS: Babies thrive when the world feels loving, safe, and predictable. Babies whose caregivers are responsive and affectionate develop a sense of security and self-control.
With Your Infant (0-12 months)
- Hold, kiss, and cuddle. Provide lots of loving attention and touch.
- Respond to them. Answer your baby in a loving voice when they make a sound or movement.
- Play together. Hold your baby close, smile, and make silly sounds or faces. Play games like “peek-a-boo.”
- Comfort them. Comfort your baby when they get fussy or cry. They might be tired, hungry, or uncomfortable. Try rocking them or singing a lullaby. It will take time to learn what works best.
- Have a routine. Have consistent times and ways of doing daily activities. Routines help babies and young children feel safe and know what to expect. They also help adults manage stress.
With Your Toddler (12-36 months)
- Snuggle up. Hug and cuddle with your toddler so they feel safe and loved.
- Encourage them. Be supportive and encouraging when your child tries new things.
- Involve them. Invite your toddler to help with everyday tasks, like handing you clothes for the laundry.
- Talk about feelings. Help your child describe how they feel. Let them know that all feelings are OK, and that you are there for them when they are happy or upset.
- Offer choices. Offer choices like what to wear or eat, but give a limited number of options
- Set basic limits. Focus on safety-related rules like not hitting people. Put “No” in front of the thing you don’t want your child to do, then distract them with another activity. Use the same rules consistently so your child learns them.
And finally when life gets stressful, it’s important to take care of yourself so you can be there for your child. Try sharing tasks with friends or family members, taking walks, doing a hobby you enjoy, or practicing deep breathing. Try different strategies and see what works best for you. Be sure to ask for help when you need.