Instead of No, No, No... (4 Tips for Keeping Your Baby Explorer Safe)
Mar 19, 2019
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Explore the balance between safety and exploration for babies, fostering curiosity while maintaining safety, nurturing baby explorers with gentle guidance, and promoting child safety and positive behavior through trust.
14:38
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Quick takeaways
Establish a 'yes space' for independent play to minimize negative commands like 'no, no, no'.
Intervene calmly and positively when children approach unsafe objects, guiding them away while respecting exploration.
Deep dives
Creating a Safe and Positive Space for Independent Play
Parents are encouraged to establish a safe environment, termed a 'yes space', early on for their children to engage in independent play. This space allows children to explore freely and minimizes the need for constant interference or negative commands such as 'no, no, no'. By ensuring a stress-free environment, children can focus on positive activities, aiding in their development and curiosity.
Intervening Positively in Exploration Situations
When children are drawn to potentially unsafe objects like power cords or dangerous items, parents are advised to intervene calmly and positively. Instead of using negative commands from a distance, parents should approach slowly, acknowledge the child's curiosity, and gently guide them away from harm while respecting their exploration. Encouraging safe exploration and trust in children's natural curiosity is pivotal for their learning and development.
Modeling Calm and Trust for Effective Guidance
To ensure a harmonious environment, parents should model a calm and trusting approach when guiding children's exploration, even in environments outside the home. By demonstrating attentiveness and positive intervention, parents can instill a sense of security in their children and alleviate the need for constant external control. This approach fosters a nurturing environment that supports children's natural inclination to learn and grow.
Janet responds to a parent who says she tries to create safe spaces for her 7-month-old to explore, but she spends a lot of time at her parents’ house and feels they’re always on edge, telling her daughter “no.” This mom wants to avoid “creating issues or desensitizing her to the word” and is hoping Janet has suggestions how to encourage her daughter’s curiosity while keeping her safe.
For more advice on common parenting issues, please check out Janet's best-selling books on audio, FREE with a 30-day trial membership at Audible (adbl.co/2OBVztZ).
Also, her exclusive audio series "Sessions" is available for download. This is a collection of recorded one-on-one consultations with parents discussing their most immediate and pressing concerns (www.SessionsAudio.com).
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