Memorable Moments

Help Your Child Grow & Learn with Memorable Moments

November 27, 2024 Children

Babies and toddlers grow and learn every day. The little moments you share with your child can make a big difference in their development. From morning time to bedtime, every moment is a chance to help your child grow and learn.

Every time you talk or respond to your child, you’re helping them learn language skills, how to identify their feelings, and how to talk to others. The more you do this, the stronger your child’s brain becomes. All these little moments you share add up and strengthen the skills your child needs to develop into a healthy adult.
Here are a few ideas to help you create
memorable moments with your child.

Sing Songs and Rhyme Rhymes

Singing with your child helps them learn and grow. When you sing a song together, you’re helping them build a strong and healthy brain by learning new words, rhythms, and sounds. It builds their memory and helps them feel connected to you. Plus, singing and rhyming boost their language and listening skills, which are key for learning to speak and read later on.

Try It!
Sing simple songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or make up your own silly songs. You can also chant nursery rhymes or make up fun rhymes with their name. Sing during bath time, while getting dressed, or anytime you’re together. It doesn’t have to be perfect—your child just loves hearing your voice!

Answer All Their Questions

Children love to ask questions. When you respond, even if you don’t know the answers, you’re still helping them learn and grow. Responding to their questions helps build their thinking and problem-solving skills. It also teaches them that their curiosity is valuable, which encourages them to keep exploring and learning. The back-and-forth conversation helps them learn how to communicate, which is an important life skill.

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Try It!
When your child asks, “Why is the sky blue?” or “How does the car work?”, answer as best as you can or simply say, “Let’s find out together!” It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers—just keep the conversation going. Turn it into a playful back-and-forth exchange where they share their own ideas too.

Give Hugs and High-Fives

When a child reaches out for affection, and you give them a hug or high-five, you’re doing more than being kind, you’re helping to build their brain. Physical affection helps your child feel loved and secure. It also releases chemicals in their brain that promote emotional well-being and help reduce stress. This helps them feel safe and happy, which supports healthy brain development.

Try It!
Give your child hugs when they wake up, before bed, or any time they seem to need it. High-fives can be a fun way to celebrate when they do something great, like finishing a puzzle or sharing a toy.

Have Skin-to-Skin Contact

Skin-to-skin contact helps regulate your baby’s body temperature, heart rate, and breathing. It also strengthens the bond between you and your baby, which helps them feel safe and secure. Feeling loved and protected is essential for their emotional development.

Try It!
Hold your baby close with their bare skin against yours. This is especially comforting after baths, during feeding, or when they’re upset. You can also wear your baby in a carrier that keeps them snug against your chest.

Give Them Kuddos

Tell your child they are doing a “good job” when they play nicely with others or listen to something you asked them to do. Positive reinforcement helps your child understand what good behavior looks like. When they know what makes you proud, they’re more likely to repeat those actions. This builds their confidence and self-esteem, which are important for their emotional and social development.

Try It!
When your child follows directions or is kind to others, say something like, “Great job sharing your toys!” or “I’m so proud of how you listened!” Be specific about what they did well so they know exactly what behavior you’re praising.

Make Waiting Times, Learning Times

If you’re waiting for a bus, to see the doctor, or in a line, use the time to chat with your child. When they ask you a question, it’s like they’re kicking you a ball. When you respond, you’re kicking that ball back, just like a game of soccer. This back and forth helps them learn and grow. Using waiting time for conversation helps keep your child’s mind active. It also teaches patience and makes them feel like they have your attention, even when things are slow. These moments can turn into opportunities to learn new words, practice counting, or develop problem-solving skills.

Try It!
Turn waiting time into a fun learning moment by asking your child questions like, “What do you see around us?” or “Can you count the people in line?” You can also play simple word games or sing songs to keep them entertained and engaged.
By turning everyday moments into learning opportunities, you’re helping your child grow in big ways. Remember, it’s the small, loving interactions that make the biggest difference. Every song you sing, question you answer, and hug you give is helping your child build a strong foundation for their future. Keep enjoying these memorable moments together!

REFERENCES:

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes that singing and rhyming with babies help them develop language and cognitive skills, improving their ability to listen, communicate, and eventually read.
AAP’s “Read, Sing, Play” campaign:
[HealthyChildren.org] (https://www.healthychildren.org)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), responding to your child’s questions and talking with them is crucial for language development and helps them learn how to express their thoughts.
CDC’s “Positive Parenting Tips”:
[CDC.gov] (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/)

Research highlighted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that physical touch, especially skin-to-skin contact, supports emotional regulation and strengthens the bond between a parent and child, which is critical for brain development.
NIH article on the importance of touch: [NIH.gov] (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)

The CDC explains that positive reinforcement, like praise, helps children learn appropriate behaviors and develop confidence. It encourages them to repeat actions that receive positive feedback.
CDC’s “Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers”:
[CDC.gov] (https://www.cdc.gov/parents/essentials/)

The U.S. Department of Education encourages parents to use everyday moments to talk, listen, and engage with their child, which supports early literacy and cognitive development.
U.S. Department of Education’s “Talk, Read, and Sing Together Every Day!”:
[Ed.gov] (https://www.ed.gov/early-learning/talk-read-sing)

Side Lying Hold

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Cross Cradle Hold

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football Hold

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Breastfeeding Holds

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Breastfeeding Holds

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position