Parenting young children (0–5)
🔵 Wellness practice
In the early years, children learn mostly through close, loving relationships and play.
- Respond warmly. Comfort a crying baby. You cannot spoil a young child with attention.
- Talk, sing and play every day, even for a few minutes.
- Keep routines for meals, sleep and play, so the day feels predictable.
- Tantrums are normal. Stay close and calm, name the feeling (“you’re upset”), and wait for it to pass.
- Screens: health organisations suggest very little or no screen time for young children. Choose shared, short and age-suitable use.
Try this week
Spend ten minutes following your child’s lead in play, with the phone away.
When to seek help
Speak to a paediatrician if you are worried about hearing, speech, movement, eating, sleep or how your child connects with others.