| ● Engage in attentive, uninterrupted play with babies when they are alert and ready. ● Provide many opportunities for babies to explore how their bodies move by giving them free play time on the firm surface of the floor. ● To support their sense of agency and autonomy, only put babies into positions that they can get into and out of themselves. For example, do not put them on their tummies until they can roll over independently. ● Listen, respond to and build on babies’ expressions, actions, and gestures, engaging in conversation with them. ● Play interactive games that help babies recognise themselves, such as finger plays and action rhymes. ● Spend one-to-one time playing, talking and looking at books that are of personal relevance together. ● Talk with babies about people and things that are special to them, such as their family members or pets. ● Offer commentary about what is happening around them and what they are doing. ● Notice and acknowledge babies’ and children’s independently chosen activities and tasks, valuing their efforts as well as celebrating their achievements. ● Use care events to support a positive sense of self through respectful interactions. ● Support confidence by being close by as they explore. ● Use a choice of objects alongside simple language to offer choices. Encourage children to express a preference. Use familiar greetings, in relevant languages, with children, parents and each other. ● Learn from parents the child’s usual experience of feeding, changing, sleeping and comforting before taking on these tasks yourself. • Ensure the child feels safe and secure whilst preparing their food, preparing to change their nappy or to go out for a walk by talking to them and providing suitable toys and/or comforters for them while they wait. |
