Positive Nurturing - It's Child's Play

Parents have always known that babies and young children need love, attentive care and stimulation. Instinct tells them that a happy, well-adjusted baby will grow to be a happy well-adjusted adult. What is new is the understanding of how nurturing during the early years actually impacts brain development and helps a child become a healthy, confident and socially competent person.

Relationships, emotions and behaviour

The "early years," considered to be from conception to age six, is the most important time for brain development. During this time a young child's brain develops largely through stimulation of the sensing pathways - seeing, hearing, touching, smelling and tasting. Positive relationships with parents not only affect the development of the senses. Did you know positive relationships also influence emotions and behavior?

While there is no doubt structured learning activities have value, in the earliest years it is simple activities like reading to a toddler or throwing ball with a preschooler that really help to stimulate brain development. Many people are familiar with the sight of the toddler who veers off the path during a walk, contented to spend time enjoying an insect, a flower or a rock. This playful experience isn't just a momentary diversion off a path, it's a toddler learning about his surroundings.

Everyday experiences count

Every day happenings, or when you follow through on simple play ideas, are how children gather information and learn. As a parent when you let your child lead the exploration and you participate by sharing the experience, you both benefit. Children will remember these experiences and it will help them learn about the world and how it works. The parent/child relationship also benefits because the parent as a follower has been able to share in these experiences in a positive and inviting way.

By being involved in play or exploration you are telling your children that they are valued and you make their learning meaningful. It's simple, it's fun and it's important to a child's development. Positive nurturing is child's play.