EmbraceHealthFoundation supports the milestones in infant and child development. The self-esteem of each child and infant can be supported and nurtured for optimal growth and development and to support their early formative development of confidence and resilience. There is innately an intrinsic sense of self that develops in all humans. In infants and small children this sense of self develops through feeling trust and familiarity with people and routines. The self-esteem of infants and young children can be supported by providing consistent routines and using sensory stimulation of all of their senses as a first code. Vision and hearing focus of familiar faces and sounds with a consistent narrative is a great first start and then facilitating textures and touch with descriptive narratives supports additional their awareness. Supportive use of the fine and gross motor skills supports their personal wellness and expression. Play and creative moments that allow them to be expressive supports early forms of individuality and confidence.
Self-Expression
Infants and small children communicate and practice self-expression in unique ways. Support them in being interactive and watch for their own COOS and first sounds as they develop and keep their own unique narrative going. Babies and young children understand and formatively develop language skills and communication styles from their early exposure to this process.
Babies may babble or coo in self-expression. They may express comfort or discontent in transitioning from one activity to another.
Their contentment and silence are expressions also. Self-expression for them may be seeking hugs or they may listen quietly when spoken to. As infants transition to toddlerhood one can see that self-expression becomes self -mastery. Toddlers are masters at self-expression and need supportive venues to exercise their new founded independence.
Play is by far the most therapeutic self-expression that children naturally participate in and they can do it according to their own unique ways.
Play is creative expression and supports roles and self-expression and personal confidence and self-esteem.
Socialization
The conscious development of self-esteem is naturally supported by social interactions and being with others. Infants and small children learn by identification and by observing and being in proximity to others.
Socializing gives them understanding of social processes like sharing and acceptable behaviors in micro ways through time.
Exposure to others even from a distance supports their socialization and assimilation of emotional and cognitive development validates to them that there are other little people in the world that rule!
Supporting their self-expression and their sensory and emotional needs provides a great baseline for their wellness and a positive self-esteem blueprint.
Supporting a positive mindfulness and opportunities for infants and small children to participate in self-expression through play supports them in self-regulation and confidence in all the little steps in their journey.
Remember positive self-care for the caregivers and family supports a wellness that resonates wellness for your little members.
Group or family mindfulness activities that encourage activity and self-expression support communication and mindfulness routines as best practice early for routines to carry through their lifetimes.
Embrace Health Foundation's enrichment of self-esteem research and development supports the mission in expanding the mental health and wellbeing of infants and children. We strive to give them the resources to continue to grow, adapt and learn reflection and mindfulness practices through play and self-expression to thrive within their own unique milestones.
Reflections can be adapted into regular play.
Children’s’ imagination and expressions are early forms of reflections that can be focused and creative expressed in their own unique ways.
Feelings and themes may appear in their role play and experiences and should be encourage to be expresses as to their comfort level.
Encourage expression of self and things they want or need.
Give them space for all kinds of self-expression.
Join in the experience or play if it feels right. Validate and encourage their self-expression.
Clarify and encourage their expressions. Encouraging their own ideas and individuality supports wellness through creative self-expression.
Encouraging early forms of quiet mindfulness routines and family mindfulness supports lifelong habits.
Reach out to us for more individualized creative resources.