Is it possible to spoil your baby by being too responsive?
The short answer is no.
Somewhere along the way, we developed the notion that letting babies “cry it out” was good for them. In reality, it’s just the opposite.
Warm and responsive relationships help infants develop trust, attachment, and a sense of security… which, in turn, lead to self-reliance and the ability to regulate’s one’s own emotions.
These abilities have been linked to higher self-esteem, improved stress management, healthier relationships, and even superior academic performance.
This lovely video, shared to IG by previvor2survivor states the case beautifully.
This is probably an opportune time for a reminder that parenting is not an all or nothing proposition. It’s impractical to think that even the most attentive parent will be able to respond instantly to EVERY cry.
And within the context of a warm and responsive relationship, that’s just fine.
In finite amounts, opportunities for your baby to self-soothe can be beneficial.
But if you’ve been convinced that responding too often to your infant’s expressions of need is the path to spoiling, think again.
Infants can’t be spoiled by love. It’s just that simple.
I’m sometimes asked what initially drew me to the field of early childhood education.
From now on I’m just going to show people this video.
Bottom line: there is no more joyful an experience than being in community with young children. Their enthusiasm, wonderment, and kindness is unmatched.
🎥 via nobaddays2024 on IG.
Years ago, anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture.
The student expected Mead to talk about fishhooks or clay pots or grinding stones.
But no.
Mead said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken and then healed. Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die.
You cannot run from danger, get to the river for a drink or hunt for food. You are meat for prowling beasts. No animal survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal.
A broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery.
Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts, Mead said."
We are at our best when we serve others.
Be civilized.
Credit: Ira Byock.
If you do not follow Dan Wuori, you are missing out. As someone who loves the language development process, his videos and insight constantly amaze me. As an added bonus, you simply can not be in a bad mood after watching them.
It’s like looking in a mirror. 🪞
Check out the joint attention between this little one (10 weeks) and her big brother - who’s teaching an absolute master class in how to stimulate baby’s brain.
I mean, are these two locked in or what?
Brother is at baby’s level, up close, face-to-face and grinning from ear to ear.
Their eye contact is unbroken. No distractions… just them.
And he’s mirroring her vocalizations in a way that’s obviously thrilling for baby. Look at her face light up.
Just beautiful.
This sweet duo was shared to TT by gillianmccreery.
Someone this week called my account “PR for babies.” That’s a badge I’ll wear with pride.
If you take nothing else away from these posts, let it be that the early years are complex, consequential, and deserving of far more attention than we give them.
Our failure to prioritize the needs of young children (and their families) during the most critical window of human development isn’t only tragic for them, but for taxpayers - who could pay far less to get things right in the first place.
@tk_kirch@wfsheyenne@BethSlette This makes me so sad for the students. The student section is what makes high school activities so great. If we can’t support the student section by helping to get them there… what are we saying to the students. Many, many fond memories to make being part of the experience
Good Luck to all the other TeamND Tier1 teams in the @FargoForce Showcase this weekend. Stop by and check out some great hockey!
Girls 14UT1 & 16UT1 in Chippewa Falls for games vs Team Wisconsin & Boys Team ND 18HP in Lakeville for @MinnHockeyHP#LETSGO