An aspect which people didn't mention yet is that how you talk to your child is important. An infant is a paradox: It is at the same time simple and of infinite depth. Children need chit-chat and play and fun but they need serious communication as well. The principal attitude I want to stress is: Take your child serious as a person. Listen to what they have to say. Right now that will be non-verbal, but they do communicate! When they want to play, when they complain, when they are tired, take them seriously. That will assure them that they are being heard. If they don't want to do something, ask yourself: Is it really necessary? (It is surprising how many things aren't.) Later, when they ask a question, answer. Many questions from children are hard to answer. Always strive to answer to the best of your abilities. Take that as an opportunity: You will learn together with your child. The communication is not a one-way street. This is fun, and a fun way of bonding. Things learned while emotionally involved stick.

A last question. Are you a couch potato? Probably not. Want your child to become one? Probably not. Therefore: Zero screen time.

Your child is a peer, from day 1.

An aspect which people didn't mention yet is that how you talk to your child is important. An infant is a paradox: It is at the same time simple and of infinite depth. Children need chit-chat and play and fun but they need serious communication as well. The principal attitude I want to stress is: Take your child serious as a person. Listen to what they have to say. Right now that will be non-verbal, but they do communicate! When they want to play, when they complain, when they are tired, take them seriously. That will assure them that they are being heard. If they don't want to do something, ask yourself: Is it really necessary? (It is surprising how many things aren't.) Later, when they ask a question, answer. Many questions from children are hard to answer. Always strive to answer to the best of your abilities. Take that as an opportunity: You will learn together with your child. The communication is not a one-way street. This is fun, and a fun way of bonding. Things learned while emotionally involved stick.

A last question. Are you a couch potato? Probably not. Want your child to become one? Probably not. Therefore: Zero screen time.

Treat your child with respect and attention, from day 1.

An aspect which people didn't mention yet is that how you talk to your child is important. An infant is a paradox: It is at the same time simple and of infinite depth. Children need chit-chat and play and fun but they need serious communication as well. Reality is complex. The principal attitude I want to stress is: Take your child serious as a person. Listen to what they have to say. Right now that will be non-verbal, but they do communicate! When they want to play, when they complain, when they are tired, take them seriously. That will assure them that they are being heard. If they don't want to do something, ask yourself: Is it really necessary? (It is surprising how many things aren't.) Later, when they ask a question, answer. Many questions from children are hard to answer. Always strive to answer to the best of your abilities. Take that as an opportunity: You will learn together with your child. The communication is not a one-way street. This is fun, and a fun way of bonding. Things learned while emotionally involved stick.

A last question. Are you a couch potato? Probably not. Want your child to become one? Probably not. Therefore: Zero screen time.

Your child is a peer, from day 1.

An aspect which people didn't mention yet is that how you talk to your child is important. An infant is a paradox: It is at the same time simple and of infinite depth. Children need chit-chat and play and fun but they need serious communication as well. The principal attitude I want to stress is: Take your child serious as a person. Listen to what they have to say. Right now that will be non-verbal, but they do communicate! When they want to play, when they complain, when they are tired, take them seriously. That will assure them that they are being heard. If they don't want to do something, ask yourself: Is it really necessary? (It is surprising how many things aren't.) Later, when they ask a question, answer. Many questions from children are hard to answer. Always strive to answer to the best of your abilities. Take that as an opportunity: You will learn together with your child. The communication is not a one-way street. This is fun, and a fun way of bonding. Things learned while emotionally involved stick.

A last question. Are you a couch potato? Probably not. Want your child to become one? Probably not. Therefore: Zero screen time.

Your child is a peer, from day 1.