Loving care helps your child grow and develop

Learning your baby and child’s cues

• You are helping your baby or young child learn and develop every day when you talk, play, feed and care for your child. Simple activities help your baby’s brain to develop.
• Responsive care is about interacting with your baby or young child, showing love and responding consistently to match your baby’s needs and interests. It's fun and easy to do! Fathers, mothers, grandparents, and the whole family play an important role in making a baby or young child feel safe, loved and secure.
• Your baby or young child can tell you what they need by using sounds, facial expressions and body movements. Observe your baby or young child. With practice, you will often be able to read the cues.
• Reading your baby or young child’s cues takes practice. Watch your baby or young child a lot; look for ways that your baby uses his or her eyes, mouth and body to tell you what he or she needs. Crying is usually the last form of communication.
• Create a daily routine for your child’s care, including times for meals, bathing and bedtime. Routines help your baby or young child feel secure because he or she knows and recognizes daily activities.

Responding when your baby and child is upset

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

Responding when your baby or child wants to interact with you

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