Spending time with your child at every age is critically important for your child’s brain development and overall well-being. Here you’ll learn more about the benefits of connecting with your child.
Did you know that your child’s brain actually grows when you hug him? Research shows that as a child is hugged, the brain produces chemicals that are necessary for brain growth and development. As humans, we need human connection to physically and emotionally grow. This is why it is so important for kids of all ages to have quality time with their parents and/or other adults who care about them. Meaningful time with a loving adult allows children from newborns to preschoolers and beyond to connect, learn, and love.
In our busy lives, it can be a challenge to find the time to be with one another. However, it is often when we don’t spend time together that our kids act out the most – because that is when they need us the most. So capture every possible moment with your child and enjoy that time. It’s the quality of the time you have together, not the quantity, that matters.
If you find your child is acting in ways you don’t want them to, find a way to have one-on-one time together. For example, when you are alone with your child in a calm, comfortable setting, talk, read, and sing with your child – just the two of you. Through these simple interactions, there’s a good chance you’ll find your child happy, having fun, and behaving well. You may even find yourself feeling more patient with your child. Lastly, one-on-one moments can be a great time for you and your child to talk about what’s going on in you lives. Use this time to remind your child about all the good things in your lives and maybe even the things you need to work on. Time together can be healing and powerful.
