Your loving care helps your child grow and develop

• You are already helping your child learn and develop every day when you talk, play, feed, and care for your child. These simple activities help your child’s brain to develop and make your child smart and clever.
• Responsive care is about interacting with your child, showing love, and responding consistently to match the needs and interests of your child.
• Responsive care is fun and easy to do! Dads, moms, grandparents, and the whole family play an important role in making your child feel safe, loved, and secure.

Learning your child’s cues

• Your child tells you what he needs by using his sounds, facial expressions, and body movements. Observe your child. With practice, you will often be able to read your child’s cues and respond with what he needs.
• Reading your child’s cues takes practice. Watch your child a lot and look for ways your child uses her eyes, mouth, and body to tell you what she needs. Crying is usually the last form of communication.
• Create a daily routine for your child’s care, including times for meals (starting at 6 months), bathing, and bedtime. Routines help your child feel secure because he knows and recognizes daily activities.

Responding when your child is upset

• When your child is upset, think through possible solutions—she may be hungry, tired, soiled, uncomfortable, or sick.
• Your child may just want your attention. Once you have calmed your child, think about the movements and sounds he was making. Over time, you will notice patterns in your child’s movements and sounds and the kinds of things he needs.
• Gently rock, stroke, hold, or sing to your child. Provide skin-to-skin contact to stimulate and comfort your newborn baby.

Responding when your child wants to interact with you

• Your child can see from the day she is born. Look into your child’s eyes often. It will help her to connect with you, and she will learn to identify emotions in people.
• Signs your baby wants your attention are wide-open eyes, looking toward your face or toward someone who is talking, being alert, sucking on his fists or objects, clasping his hands or feet together, and grasping on to your finger or an object.
• Respond to your child’s sounds and movements, such as reaching out, babbling, smiling, or making faces, by producing similar vocalizations, gestures, and talking to her.

• Summarize the session by asking the caregiver(s) to demonstrate or explain what they will go home and do with their child. Ask if the caregiver(s) see any barriers and problem-solve together how to overcome those barriers.
• If appropriate, agree on the next meeting date.