There is no doubt that a strong parent-child bond is beneficial for a child’s well-being. Giving your child a loving and supportive environment makes them feel safe and secure, which gives them the confidence to learn and explore.
Being intentional about connecting with your children every day doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as sharing a meal or a book, or having a cuddle or a good laugh together.
There are even ways you can help strengthen the relationships your children have with extended family members. Read on for some tips to help ensure your child is building strong and healthy bonds with family members for years to come.
Having One-On-One Time
Make time to connect and play with your child. Join them in their favorite activity, whether that’s playing dress-up, putting a puzzle together, or running around the yard. Make it easy on yourself and follow your preschooler’s lead when it comes to choosing the activity. It’s less about what you’re doing and more about just doing it together.
Reading Together
We know reading with children is incredibly beneficial for their development, and it’s also an easy way to have a cuddle. You can also encourage grandparents, uncles and aunts, or older cousins to read to your child. You might even be able to facilitate a virtual storytime with family members who can’t be there in person.
Making Video Calls
We all mastered the art of Zoom and FaceTime in recent years, so it’s an easy way to help your little one connect with a family member who is farther than a short car ride away. Try letting your child FaceTime with grandma and grandpa while you’re cooking meals or serving them dinner. It’s a fun, interactive way to keep little hands busy while you are preparing the meal, and gives everyone the opportunity to “sit down” together.
Eating Together
Not only is a family meal a great opportunity for you to model healthy eating habits, but it also gives your children a chance to practice talking, listening, using table manners, and even passing light plates and baskets. If you eat together regularly as a family, it can become a fun part of your daily routine that everyone looks forward to.
Welcoming Big Feelings
Allow your child to express themselves without fear of judgment or punishment. This not only helps your child feel safe, but it can also strengthen the connection you share. Regulating your own emotions while a child is crying is no easy feat, but staying calm gives your child a safe space to feel heard. Help your child put their feelings into words and accept them where they are. Feeling supported by family is a great way to ensure a strong bond.
Doing Chores Together
Cleaning your home can be a responsibility the whole family shares. Age-appropriate tasks like helping with the laundry, unloading safe items from the dishwasher, or putting toys away can be activities you do together. These simple chores can foster a sense of teamwork and a sense of belonging.
The Gardner School Strengthens Family Ties
You can support the time you spend together as a family with compassionate, responsive childcare during the day. The Gardner School’s programs are designed to encourage an emerging sense of self in preschoolers, all while nurturing intellectual growth, exploration, and socialization. The activities at The Gardner School build skills that transfer to family and friend relationships, and the family events create more ways that you can bond with your child and other families with young children. Click here to schedule a tour at The Gardner School closest to you or request more information.