ESSENTIALS TO SUPPORT CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Parents often wonder—what’s most important in the early years of child development?
Each family has its own dynamic, priorities, cultural base, and support systems. However, when adults provide warmth, love, and respect—in an environment that’s safe, stable, and predictable—it empowers children to thrive, and to feel listened to and valued. Moreover, children benefit from lots of opportunities for playful and creative engagement and exploration. Kids who are involved in happy and successful early learning experiences are more likely to be motivated to keep learning in those areas.
SUPPORTIVE MEASURES: WHAT CAN PARENTS DO?
Here are three suggestions:
1. Attunement and Encouragement
Parents can stay alert to the rhythm of their child’s development—that is, their particular ways of being—and encourage their interests and advancement as they move from one activity to another. Play often transitions to practice and perseverance, and this can lead to higher levels of challenge and to next-leveling (skill development in a specific area). Adults can stimulate and reinforce children’s involvement in a range of activities, so they see and develop connections among people, places, and things they already know, or want to know—thereby building upon those connections. Ideally, they’ll experience a healthy mix of fun, intellectual stimulation, physical exercise, and social interaction. This includes time with family, friends, and community.
