BIRTH TO 18 MONTHS

Young children grow and develop rapidly. No time is this more apparent than the first 18 months of life. Think of a newborn and then think of an 18 month old, --total dependence to blossoming and sometimes brazen independence. Newborns enter this world and use their parents to help them make sense and help them participate in the world around them. Their parents are their world. As they grow, day-by-day, week-by-week and month-by-month, their world starts to expand. Little ones don’t understand what is wrong in the world, but they do know something is wrong…even a newborn. They can feel the anxiety in their parents’ touch and voice and in the disturbance of their daily routines.

The most important thing you can do to help children at this age is take care of yourself. Babies are upset when their parents are upset. Try to keep your daily schedule as normal as possible. Take time to love, hold and pray with your baby.

Activities

  • Pray – Gather you little on in your arms as you ask God to guide you through this difficult period and thank him for all of the blessings in your life. As you feed your baby, rock them to sleep or comfort them with hymns of the church like “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal” or “Save O Lord Your People” As babies turn into toddlers, kneel with them by their bed to say prayers. As they become more verbal, encourage them to add their voice to their prayers.
     

  • Go for a Walk! - Being outside can be relaxing for everyone. Talk to your little one and point out different things you see like flowers, trees and American flags. When you point things out, take them up closer for a better look. Walk by your church and go in and light a candle with your little one. Let them get a closer look at some of the icons and tell them what they are.
     

  • Parent Baby Groups – See what parent baby groups are offered in your community or church or start one with friends. These groups offer fun and support for parents and their babies. Being around other parents during this tragedy can help alleviate loneliness and fears about the future that parents may be experiencing. 
     

  • Get Moving - Put on a tape of patriotic music, sing and dance around with your baby. If your child is upon their own feet, get on your knees and dance with them. It will lift your spirits, they will have fun and it will begin familiarizing them with songs about our country.

Suggested Books

  • Love You Forever by Robert Munsch The beautiful book is about unconditional love. Even a newborn will understand you as you hold them and repeat the books chorus, I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always forever and every my baby you’ll be” The chorus sounds best when sung. Don’t worry your baby will love your voice because it is your voice! 
     

  • The Big Book of Beautiful Babies by David Ellwand – This is a beautiful photo book of babies. Happy babies, sad babies, awake babies, asleep babies are all in here. Babies love looking at pictures of other babies. This book shows babies experiencing different feelings and is a great introduction into feelings.