Nurturing Babies Developing the Potential of Every Child

Nurturing Babies explores the key processes behind how a child?s mind and body develop in their first year, underpinned by the latest research in the fields of child development, psychology, health and well-being. It shows how the choices practitioners and parents make every day can have a deep impact on children?s experiences and the practices that can be embedded straight away to support their ongoing development and give them the best opportunities for future success.

The book follows a holistic approach through the Nurturing Childhoods Pedagogical Framework, learning to understand children's evolving capabilities through their engagement in core behaviours and using these to unlock their full potential. Chapters cover:

• The importance of sleep and daily routines
• Playing and communicating with babies
• Physical activity and healthy eating
• Early brain development
• Understanding babies? emotions and behaviours
• The importance of emotional security on a child?s well-being
• Supporting infants to explore and do new things

Part of the Nurturing Childhoods series, this exciting book provides practitioners and parents with the knowledge and understanding they need to nurture the very youngest children, building their self-esteem, happiness and well-being as they become enthusiastic lifelong learners.

Section 1 Introduction

1. Good practices from the start

2. Connecting with Babies: Communication, Movement and Play

3. Striking the right balance

4. Time for rest

5. Understanding Babies' Responses

6. Nurturing Babies' Developing Behaviours

7. Helping children feel competent, confident and worthy

8. Empowering resilient children

9. Supporting Children’s Learning

10. Nurturing Lifelong Learning with babies

Section 2 Introduction - The Nurturing Childhoods Pedagogical Framework

11. Nurturing Babies to do things for themselves

12. Nurturing Babies to do new things

13. Nurturing Babies to be brave

14. Nurturing Babies to have good ideas

15. Nurturing Babies to have a go

16. Nurturing Babies to have fun

17. Nurturing Babies to think

Kathryn Peckham is a childhood consultant, researcher, author and founder of Nurturing Childhoods. She is an active member of global Early Childhood networks, conducting research for governments and international organisations, writing curricula and contributing to industry-leading publications and guidance such as Birth to 5 Matters.