Parenting takes many different forms. However, some positive parenting practices work well across diverse families and in diverse settings when providing the care that children need to be happy and healthy, and to grow and develop well. A comprehensive report looked at the evidence in scientific publications for what works, and found these key ways that parents can support their child’s healthy development:
- Responding to children in a predictable way
- Showing warmth and sensitivity
- Having routines and household rules
- Sharing books and talking with children
- Supporting health and safety
- Using appropriate discipline without harshness
Parents who use these practices can help their child stay healthy, be safe, and be successful in many areas—emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and social.
Positive Parenting Tips: Infants (0–1 years)
Developmental milestones
Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye-bye” are called developmental milestones. Most children achieve these milestones by a certain age. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, behave, and move (such as crawling, walking, or jumping).
In the first year, babies learn to focus their vision, reach out, explore, and learn about the things around them. Cognitive, or brain development means the learning process of memory, language, thinking, and reasoning. Learning language is more than making sounds (babbling) or saying “ma-ma” and “da-da.” Listening, understanding, and knowing the names of people and things are all a part of language development.
During this stage, babies form bonds of love and trust with their parents and others shaping their social and emotional development. The way parents cuddle, hold, and play with their baby will set the basis for future interactions with them and others.
Positive parenting tips
Following are some things you, as a parent, can do to help your baby during this time:
- Talk to your baby. They will find your voice calming.
- Answer when your baby makes sounds by repeating the sounds and adding words. This will help them learn to use language.
- Read to your baby. This will help them develop and understand language and sounds.
- Sing to your baby and play music. This will help your baby develop a love for music and will help their brain development.
- Praise your baby and give them lots of loving attention.
- Spend time cuddling and holding your baby. This will help them feel cared for and secure.
- Play with your baby when they’re alert and relaxed. Watch your baby closely for signs of being tired or fussy so that they can take a break from playing.
- Distract your baby with toys and move them to safe areas when they start moving and touching things that they shouldn’t touch.