Caring for Babies and Young Children
Hello Everyone and Welcome to Ask The Paediatricians’ Blog where the Mom-Paediatrician offers health education, information and professional evidence-based advice to mums, parents and all carers of our lovely children!!!
We are still on the series of 100 messages for children to learn and share as developed by Children for Health. If you are just joining, you may want to read the earlier posts of messages on Malaria, Diarrhoea, Nutrition, Cough, cold and other serious illnesses.
While today’s particular post may not really be directly a core health issue but it is still very key for children to know early how to help in caring for younger siblings and children around them.
Remember, we are teaching them these messages not only for head knowledge but to share even with adults in the community and as an investment into their own and family in future healthy living.
Furthermore, we have all heard or read of older children severely harming or injuring babies because of sibling rivalry, jealousy due to diverted attention of parents and perceived inconveniences of baby cries and so on. Learning today’s messages may also help avoid such tragic scenarios.
So hare are 10 messages for children to learn and share on Caring for babies and young children.
- Play games, cuddle, talk, show, laugh and sing to babies and young children as much as you can.
- Babies and young children become angry, afraid and tearful easily & can’t explain their feelings. Always be kind.
- Young children learn fast: how to walk, make sounds, eat and drink. Help them but let them make safe mistakes too!
- All girls and all boys, are as important as each other. Treat everyone well especially children who are sick or who have disabilities.
- Young children copy the actions of those around them. Look after yourself, behave well near them & show them good ways.
- When young children cry, there’s a reason (hunger, fear, pain). Try to find out why.
- Help prepare young children for learning at school by playing number and word games, painting or drawing, Tell them stories, sing songs and dance.
- In a group, watch and record in a notebook how a baby grows into a toddler and when they do important ‘firsts’ like speak, walk & talk.
- Help prevent diseases by helping adult carers and older children check that babies & young children are clean (especially hands and faces), drink safe water & eat enough good food.
- Give loving care to babies & young children but don’t forget about yourself. You are important too!
Please learn, read and share!
Photo credit: Google
