Gloria DeGaetano - Building the Foundation for Resiliency Skills

Building the Foundation for Resiliency Skills (cont.)

With Babies…

Staying close to your baby during the day:

As you walk around doing light chores, use a snuggly so your baby can be close to your body and feel your heartbeat.
Sing quiet songs or hum restful melodies as you rock your baby slowly in rhythm.
Make as much eye contact as you can with your child by playing facial games of imitating various expressions, talking with your child, singing, cooing and basically having as much fun interacting with your baby as you can. Delight in her every new achievement; affirm every time he tries something new.
Take care of yourself. You can only interact with and enjoy your baby to the degree that you have the energy to do so. Asking for help and accepting support for household tasks and other duties that require your attention means that you have more attention for your child. You will not regret the time and love you lavish on your baby. A secure infant is on a trajectory for a fulfilling life

With Young Children…
Toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners are very busy and so are we! Here are some ideas for bonding with them throughout a busy day:

Take twenty minutes in the morning and twenty minutes in the evening to play with your child. Make a room out of a blanket over the kitchen table or build a tower with blocks with your child, you will learn much about how your child perceives his/her world. You also strengthen your child’s feelings of security, trust, and belonging.

When in the car running errands, point out what you see and discuss various colors and shapes. Talk about what you will be doing, such as: “First we’re going to the Post Office. Then we’ll go grocery shopping.” Give your child something age-appropriate to do, such as dropping a letter into a slot at the Post Office or choosing apples to put in the cart at the grocery store. Affirm all efforts. Keep your child involved in the process.

Slow down the pace of your day by talking with your child. A conversation interlude with a little one can be very poetic and awe-inspiring. Often youngsters say and see things from an interesting and unique perspective. Their self-expression blossoms with parental attention and authentic curiosity. Some questions you may want to ask: How would you describe_________? What else could __________ be? If you could change ______________ what would you do?

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