Helping your infant build empathy
While your squirmy, smiley baby may not understand your words, they definitely understand the tone of your voice and behavior toward others. You can teach them respect for others from the very start by demonstrating warmth and kindness in your relationships.
- Shower your little one with love and affection and respond to their squawks of hunger and distress.
- Your reaction to your baby builds the framework for their growing understanding of others’ behavior.
Your baby depends on you to be fed, changed, burped, and transported around.
There is very little they can do without you! Model care and kindness by meeting your baby’s needs whenever possible – even at 12am. Even at 3am. Even when your hands are full of dirty laundry and the water is boiling on the stove. Responding consistently to your baby when they are uncomfortable or upset gives your child a sense that you are there to keep them safe and supported.
- The most attentive and understanding parents in the world will not always be able to stop their child from feeling stress and discomfort. Parents are all just doing their best to comfort and care for their children.
- You can convey warmth and love to your child through your cuddles and kisses as well as your tone of voice when speaking. Spend time with your baby singing songs, telling stories, or even making silly faces.