ABSTRACT

Nurturing Babies explores the key processes behind how a child’s mind and body develop in their first year, underpinned by the latest research in the fields of child development, psychology, health and well-being. It shows how the choices practitioners and parents make every day can have a deep impact on children’s experiences and the practices that can be embedded straight away to support their ongoing development and give them the best opportunities for future success.

The book follows a holistic approach through the Nurturing Childhoods Pedagogical Framework, learning to understand children's evolving capabilities through their engagement in core behaviours and using these to unlock their full potential. Chapters cover:

  • The importance of sleep and daily routines
  • Playing and communicating with babies
  • Physical activity and healthy eating
  • Early brain development
  • Understanding babies’ emotions and behaviours
  • The importance of emotional security on a child’s well-being
  • Supporting infants to explore and do new things

Part of the Nurturing Childhoods series, this exciting book provides practitioners and parents with the knowledge and understanding they need to nurture the very youngest children, building their self-esteem, happiness and well-being as they become enthusiastic lifelong learners.

section Section 1|116 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|11 pages

Good practices from the start

chapter 2|11 pages

Connecting with babies

Communication, movement and play

chapter 3|10 pages

Striking the right balance

chapter 4|10 pages

Time for Rest

chapter 5|11 pages

Understanding babies' responses

chapter 6|10 pages

Nurturing babies' developing behaviours

chapter 8|11 pages

Empowering resilient children

chapter 9|11 pages

Supporting children's learning

chapter 10|10 pages

Nurturing lifelong learning with babies

section Section 2|39 pages

Introduction

chapter 12|5 pages

Nurturing babies to do new things

chapter 13|5 pages

Nurturing babies to be brave

chapter 14|5 pages

Nurturing babies to have good ideas

chapter 15|5 pages

Nurturing babies to have a go

chapter 16|5 pages

Nurturing babies to have fun

chapter 17|5 pages

Nurturing babies to think

chapter |5 pages

A final word