Nurturing children is about meeting their needs in a responsive, caring way. It's about respect and trust. It's about being fully present and making the most of everyday moments. When children develop relationships with warm, loving adults who pay attention to their needs, they develop a strong foundation on which to build for the rest of their lives.
The following resources include a lot of great information on early childhood development and the impact that nurturing relationships have on future success.
- From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development; Committee on Integrating the Science of Early Childhood Development; Jack P. Shonkoff and Deborah A. Phillips, Editors.
Available online, this publication presents the evidence on how young brains are wired and impacted, even in the womb. A great resource that examines the "nature vs. nurture" debate and how the two are related.
From Neurons to King County Neighborhoods: The Science and Policies of Early Childhood Development; Seattle & King County Public Health.
A detailed informational brochure made possible by: Foundation for Early Learning, Kids Get Care, and King County Children and Family Commission. It gives an overview of what we know about the science and policies of early childhood development and what has been proposed to help support children and families.
- The Attachment Parenting Book, William Sears, M.D., and Martha Sears, R.N. Little.
A great overview of attachment parenting, which encourages parents to develop strong bonds with their children from very early on. This book offers practical advice for parents from child care experts who have published many books and articles on parenting content.
- Why Love Matters; Sue Gerhardt.
Written by a psychotherapist, this book discusses how our earliest relationships can shape our nervous systems and emotional and social responses.
If you want to talk about relationships with your child, you might start a conversation by reading a book about relationships first. Following are a few favorite kid books to share:
- Do You Want to be My Friend; Eric Carle.
A small mouse has a hard time finding a friend.
- Guess How Much I Love You; Sam McBratney; Anita Jeram (illustrator).
A little rabbit shows his father how much he loves him, and the dad shows how he loves him even more.
- The Kissing Hand; Audrey Penn.
A little raccoon is nervous about going to school so his mom kisses his paw. When he's lonely he can put his paw to his cheek and be comforted.
Do you have a book you'd like to recommend? Tell us about it. Also be sure to visit your local library, either in person or online at www.kcls.org or www.spl.org, and ask for their recommendations.
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