Four Free Must Haves for Your Baby’s Future Success

Did you know that some of the most important things that you can do to help your child be successful in the future can begin at birth and do not cost a cent? In fact, you don’t need to surf the web, shop in stores or spend one penny to give your child the greatest start to their future!

Just four simple things are required to help your child reach their most optimal level for future success.

First, babies need loving arms to hold them and to comfort them when they cry. This will teach your baby to feel safe, secure and develop lifelong trust in others. This will help your baby develop healthy relationships.

Second, babies need loving eyes to gaze at them and let them know that someone is there, present in the moment and listening to them. This promotes your child’s social and emotional health by letting your baby know that you are close by and care about them. When your eyes light up as you gaze at your child, it teaches them about emotion and how to relate to others. Also, don’t forget that it is important for a parent to continue to socialize with others, but try to check your Facebook and Twitter at nap time because your baby needs your undivided attention right now.

Third, babies need a gentle voice and mouth that sings to them, talks to them, smiles at them, laughs, rhymes, and mimic their oohs and ahhs. This will promote your baby’s language development as well as social and emotional growth. Talk to your baby throughout your day. Research has shown that increased language and interaction show lasting effects on a child’s performance later in life.

Fourth, babies need caregivers who are informed about the importance of the first five years of a child’s life and how babies brains continues to grow and make connections at an amazing pace. It is important to know that much of your child’s foundational learning, which is their basis for later year’s success, happens before they attend school. It’s important for parents to know about developmental milestones and developmental screenings and how they can help monitor their child’s development. All children develop at different rates but at certain stages many babies perform similar tasks called developmental milestones. These milestones can be found on many professional websites including the CDC. Some children may be ahead in one area and behind in another, but if after time a child is not able to perform certain milestones the child may be experiencing a developmental delay. Many delays can be overcome after the child is provided the opportunity to practice that task and then they move quickly on to the next stage until they are caught up. Other delays may require special attention by professionals trained in this field. Each child is unique, so don’t be alarmed, but check with your child’s physician if you have any concern or if you ever notice the continued loss of skills that your child could once perform. Ask about developmental screenings offered in your area.

So remember those four “must haves” and hold, love, talk, sing and read to your child. Play with your child and help your baby explore new experiences, observe development and make your little cherub the center of your world because YOU are your child’s first and most important teacher. YOU can provide the greatest no cost gift of all as you begin to pave the way to your child’s bright future right from birth!