Babies need to attach with you and the process becomes fundamental to their growth; it is one of the important emotional and social developments of your infant. Therefore as a parent, you have a privilege of building this bond with your child through many activities, or touch, speech, and interaction through plays. 

Let’s understand what attachment with your little one means, why such interactions are crucial, and how to organise them.

Other Games Designed to Improve Parent-Child Bond

Bonding activities are fun and it is wonderful to share them with your infant to foster good relationships. These are some of the social activities that facilitate attachment and at the same time benefit the child cognitively and emotionally

Tummy Time

It is critical for you to make your baby have tummy time because it aids in development of neck and shoulder muscles. Place your baby to sleep on the tummy but while you are nearby to reassure him /her and keep an eye on the baby. This time can be made more enjoyable should you floor with them, look at their eyes and use toys to catch their sight. This is a basic form of bonding and also encourages the motor skills of your child while at the same time building trust that you will always be around to protect them.

Baby Massage

Babies can be massaged very softly and this will not only be good for the baby but also it will help in strengthening the bond between the baby and the carer. Several studies have established that massaging babies will help in facilitating sleep, reducing the amount of crying and also relaxing the child. To include this, attend a class or get to know safe methods to adopt into your practice. Gently pat the baby’s arms, legs and back while singing or speaking to him or her. This not only strengthens your relationship but also offers the stimuli that are crucial for their growth.

Puppet Play

Finger puppets or using socks and making a puppet out of them can be very interesting for your infant. Use the puppets to make humorous songs, moving and hide and seek games. Children will enjoy the ludicrous movements and sounds in this toy and they will be very stimulated to engage with it. Puppet play also enhances the imagination of your baby as they learn and respond to your actions as a result of cause and effect relationship.

Clapping Hands

Singing the favourite children’s songs and baby’s hands clapping together with the rhythm and music is also one of the perfect ways of spending time with the baby. This can be an ideal moment of bonding as well as language development due to the interactive point of view of this game. Soon, your baby may begin to identify the tone and the song and may even ‘perform’ to it by banging their hands and thus improving their motor development.

The Comprehensive touching and Mode of Communication

Sensory interaction and verbal interaction are critical to the formation of a good relationship with the baby. All these aspects that promote attachment also support other aspects of your baby’s emotional and social growth.

Cuddling and Holding

The physical affection base is derived from the constant touch, cuddling, and holding exposes the baby to safety. Hugging and cuddling, first of all, affect infant stimulation during the first several months by the release of hormones such as oxytocin that promote bonding and brain growth. Take a conscious effort of cuddling your baby most especially during the feeding times or when they are going to bed. Being close with your infant does not only provide her physical comfort but also helps in the bond formation with you.

Responding to Cues

As your baby grows, make sure that you touch and hold your baby lovingly paying attention to the baby's smiling, cooing and body language. This boosts your infant’s comfort making it continue with its communication. If your baby vocalises or gestures, try to imitate him or give an imitation response to what he or she has done. This turn-taking is appropriate since it helps in enhancement of their communication skills and builds up a humanness between you.

Talking and Reading

Of course, it is very important to talk to your baby as often as possible, because this is how he or she will learn language. Before the start of each activity, one recounts how they would do it and what they notice concerning the activity. 

Another good practice that you can adopt is to read to your infant, this can be done in the form of reading story books aloud. It is therefore important to get colourful board books, with text that is simple, but attractive illustrations. So they do not get bored switching between several different tones and voices. It also enables them to build a strong vocabulary base as well as make reading a hobby from childhood.

Engaging in Interactive Play

Social learning is another way through which children can learn, in this case, it is fun as well as an opportunity for the parent and the child to bond. Such activities promote verbal, interpersonal and psychomotor domains of development.

Peek-a-Boo

Looking back to my childhood, I will mention such a simple game as peek-a-boo. Hide your face with a blanket or your hands, and when you uncover your face, say “Where is [baby’s name]?” or “Peek-a-boo!” This game promotes exchange of gaze, teaches the babe object permanence. A positive aspect is that the feelings of joy and laughter that are evoked by this very insignificant form of playing make one have a pleasant perception of play in-tunity.

Mirroring

Another activity that is also fun and therefore encourages development of social skills and self identity is known as mirroring. Demonstrate with your face and mouth and use sounds, and gestures, making your baby mimic your actions. For instance, protrude your tongue, grin or make sounds that are funny to others. Through this not only are you able to entertain your infant but also help them learn social indications, as well as promote their interpersonal communication.

Singing and Dancing

Rocking can involve singing melodies or songs to the child, while holding him or her skin to skin in your arms. The movements and music are gentle and the baby will find it hard to remain cranky while the rhythms will help bond with your baby. Incorporation of hand motions or simple dances can be done to make it even more lively. Babies are always happy when they are interacting with different things, especially musical activity and it will become part of the schedule that is sweet to remember.

The process of building a harmonious, loving, and positive relationship with your infant is simple. It will last a lifetime and if you want your companion to be your lifetime companion you can do the following; engage in activities, be attentive to touch and communication, and play interactively.