What Can We Do? (continued)

Helping Infants and Young Children

• Nurture and help create a connection and a sense of safety and opportunity for learning. Babies learn to self-soothe by being soothed by caregivers.
• Give toddlers acceptable ways of sharing strong feelings. For example: let them rip paper, stomp feet, or throw a soft ball when they are mad.
• Young children process emotions through play. Encourage play, even if they are acting out something that seems upsetting. If play seems to distress them, provide gentle redirection.
• Read to them often: It’s is a powerful tool for brain development.