6636 E. Carondelet Dr.
Tucson, AZ 85710
phone: 520.298.3383
fax: 520.207.5475
CALLIE PEDIATRICS
Caring for families since 1973
Hours: M-F 8 am-5 pm
Map & Directions
Positive Parenting: & Early Learning: the ESSENTIALS
Welcome! Please see below for an overview of the essentials. We also encourage you to watch the new SPARKS video series for parents BEFORE every well visit (8 min. each)
Early Development and Positive Parenting: the ESSENTIALS
1. Babies are born to learn. You are their first teacher!
START HERE!
Every interaction matters.
“A baby's brain is a work-in-progress. It is the only organ unfinished at birth...waiting for connection.
This time period is the most important in a child’s life. It sets up their ability to form strong relationships. It sets up their ability to learn new information. It sets up their potential contribution to our society later on.
2. It's all about forming a secure, trusted bond and "serve and return" interactions (5 steps)...
3. And responding to your child's cues in a sensitive way, at each age and milestone. ("responsive care").
This response is something you can learn and practice, so it becomes your everyday norm--especially in stressful situations. If this wasn't modeled to you as a child, you may need to learn and practice even more, to give your child the best start possible.
Zero to three:
Positive Parenting
Bright by Text sends no-cost parenting tips on a range of topics to families and other care providers, timed to the age of their children. Recipients can choose to receive texts in English or Spanish.
4. Create consistent routines for love & learning.
Learning through routines
activities at same time, same way, each day...
5. Set age-appropriate limits & rules for babies, using positive language to guide, instill healthy habits from the start.
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Babies learn by watching what you do, so set examples of behavior you expect.
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Use positive language to guide your baby. For example, say, "Time to sit," rather than, "Don't stand."
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Save the word, "no," for the most important issues, like safety. Limit the need to say "no" by putting dangerous or tempting objects out of reach.
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Distracting and replacing a dangerous or forbidden object with one that is okay to play with is a good strategy at this age.
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Instruct, give directions (rather than ask, request)
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Healthy Habits to Master in Your Child's First Year (feeding, sleeping, screentime)
6. Foster organized thinking and build "executive function" in your child by following these 5 steps:
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Be consistent
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Introduce order
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Give everything a place
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Practice Forward thinking
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Promote Problem solving
"Organized children do not suddenly appear – they are raised. Training the brain to think orderly begins during infancy and continues in adolescence and into early adulthood. When children are young they learn where things go and when to do tasks, but as they grow older, the expectations of life become increasingly complicated. Planning and problem solving skills are needed to navigate school, work, and relationships."
--Damon Korb, MD (developmental Pediatrician