Great Start Jackson - Connecting with Kids

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Ensuring a Great Start
for Jackson's Children

Director:		Parent Liaison:
Sheri Butters		Jeanette Lamphere
(517) 784-4800		(517) 206-2531
sbutters@caajlh.org		greatstartparents@live.com

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with Kids

Children are eager to connect with the adults in their lives. It is through these relationships that children gain the confidence and the security they need to learn. All members of this community have unique roles and abilities to make an enormous difference.

Whether you are a mom, a dad, a grandparent, a teacher, or a child care professional, you are facing one of life's most rewarding and challenging experiences - raising or caring for a child. At some point, you probably could use a little help. The relationship you establish the with children in your care is key to early learning. For guidelines on what you can do to connect, read the 5 Steps to a Happier Baby: The Key to Early Learning.

Using Laundry to Connect with Your Child:

Connect:

You can make children a part of this everyday task in ways that are fun for you and your child.

Watch and listen:

Look at your child to see what he or she is interested in. Is your baby curious about how the clothes feel? Does your toddler like to take clothes in and out of the laundry basket? Is your preschooler interested in sorting clothes by color?

For Your Baby:

Just because your baby does not talk, does not mean he or she
is not learning language. Follow your child’s gaze to see what
seems to intrigue him or her. Try to see this experience through his or her eyes. Then talk to your child about what they’re
watching or what you’re doing: “Now I’m putting the clothes
in the washing machine…or “here goes the soap” or “you’re
watching the clothes spinning in the dryer.” Children whose
caring adults connect language to their everyday experiences
learn to speak, communicate and read better.

For Your Toddler:

If your toddler likes to take clothes in and out of the laundry basket, have him or her help you put the clothes into the washer and dryer. Ask questions like “Can you find the pants and put them in the dryer?” Or, name colors together. These activities can be fun and help build language and thinking skills.

For Your Preschooler:

If your child likes to sort things, have him or her make piles of the light clothes and the dark clothes. Older children can also help by finding matching pairs of socks, or finding all of the shirts to put into a pile for folding. These activities can build math and cooperation skills. Feeling useful also helps children feel good, which encourages them to continue to want to be helpful.

< Find More Ways to Connect with Your Child

Simple Steps to Connect with Your Child

Take Care of Yourself So You Can Care for Your Child

Being a parent can be overwhelming. Unless you take care of yourself, it will be hard to take good care of your child. Don't be afraid to ask for help caring for your child.

Provide a Warm and Loving Environment

Helping your child feel safe is the key to encouraging her healthy growth and development. Make sure you give her a lot of affection.

Talk, Sing and Read with Your Child

The young child is especially interested in sounds - the building blocks of speech and language. You can form a deep emotional connection with your child just by talking to him.

Create a Predictable World for Your Child

Providing routines teaches your child that you and the world around her are trustworthy. If your child understands this, she will spend less energy fussing over her needs and more time learning.

Understand and Respond to Your Child's Needs

This will reduce stress and help your baby learn to soothe himself. Responding to your child also teaches him that you care and that he can trust you to read his signals.