During their first year of life, babies seem to change, grow, and learn new skills every day! This development is catalyzed through engaged interactions between infants and their adult caregivers to form a foundation for ongoing learning and well-being. Even simple everyday interactions between infants and their care providers contribute to healthy development. In this article, we describe a variety of easy-to-implement care strategies centered on interactions that foster healthy infant development and skill-building.
During infancy, storytime is a rich learning opportunity! Sitting on the lap of their care provider to read a book together, encourages infants to tap into a variety of early cognitive, social-emotional, and language skills.
When an adult caregiver reads a book to an infant, the sound of the caregiver’s voice creates a warm feeling of connection and engagement as the little one hears the words in the story. Pointing out the illustrations on each page supports early learning by introducing the infant to new shapes, colors, and images.
Placing babies on their tummies gives them a new way to observe their surroundings and encourages them to use their muscles so they can hold themselves up or reach for items that interest them. When infants lie on their bellies, they strengthen muscles in their necks, backs, arms, and legs.
Begin by setting up a comfortable place for infants to be on their tummies for a few minutes each day. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting with 3-5 minutes of tummy time a day, working up to longer sessions as infants get older and stronger. You can make tummy time even more engaging for little ones by placing toys within reach for them to explore, or by setting up a mirror in front of them so that they can see their face!
Infants thrive in a safe and predictable environment with routines that help them know what to expect. Consistent schedules throughout the day help little ones to feel comfortable, with a sense of security that enables them to explore their care environment, try new things, and get restful sleep.
Early care & learning providers who work with infants can create a supportive environment by adhering to a consistent daily schedule. Having set times for sleep, meals, play, and diaper changes provides reassurance to children that they are safe and cared for, and provides a foundation that supports their learning and development!
Talking with the infants in your care throughout the day is a great way to support their learning. As you prepare their food, change their diapers, or help them get dressed, you can narrate what you are doing and tell them what is coming next. The sound of your voice reinforces the connection you share, and your words support babies’ emerging language skills.
Exploring Attachment in Early Childhood Education 
