My baby’s everyday experiences
Everyday caregiving routines, such as feeding, diapering, washing, and dressing are part of life as a parent. We might think of these as chores to “get through” but these are regular ways to show your love for your child.
When you consistently comfort your child using gentle touch, cuddles, and a soft voice, your baby will feel safe and loved. Feeding your baby when they show hunger and changing their diaper often are other ways to provide comfort every day.
As your child grows, they still need you to be nurturing and caring. It shows your child that you are dependable and will look after them. There are so many ways to support your child’s development during regular daily routines.
We asked parents of young children to think about what advice they would give themselves, if they could go back to when they were first preparing for life with a new baby. Play the video to find out what they said.
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- Feeding my baby provides nutrients for growth and development.
- The physical closeness, eye contact, rocking and talking, help us feel close and connected.
- When held in my arms, my baby is the perfect distance from my face to see me clearly.
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- My baby will have approximately 2,000 diaper changes before learning to use the toilet.
- Every diaper change is an opportunity to connect one-on-one with my baby.
- And sometimes we even get playful!
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- My toddler is curious about many things.
- Talking about the things around us expands my toddler’s understanding of the world.
- I help my toddler to learn through everyday experiences – even something as simple as eating a banana.
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- My child likes to do things on their own – like getting dressed.
- Giving my child choices about what to wear helps my child feel in control.
- I try to be encouraging and I offer a little help when needed.
- The process takes time, so we start the routine long before we have to leave home.
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- My child is starting to learn about numbers and shapes.
- So, I find ways to talk about these things each day.
- Preparing a snack is a chance to count pieces of food and to notice different shapes.
- We can talk about so many things my child is interested in, during our daily routines.
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