Nurturing Babies: Developing the Potential of Every Child

Nurturing Babies explores the key processes behind how a child’s mind and body develop in their first year, underpinned by the latest research in the fields of child development, psychology, health and well-being. It shows how the choices practitioners and parents make every day can have a deep impact on children’s experiences and the practices that can be embedded straight away to support their ongoing development and give them the best opportunities for future success.

The book follows a holistic approach through the Nurturing Childhoods Pedagogical Framework, learning to understand children's evolving capabilities through their engagement in core behaviours and using these to unlock their full potential. Chapters cover:

• The importance of sleep and daily routines
• Playing and communicating with babies
• Physical activity and healthy eating
• Early brain development
• Understanding babies’ emotions and behaviours
• The importance of emotional security on a child’s well-being
• Supporting infants to explore and do new things

Part of the Nurturing Childhoods series, this exciting book provides practitioners and parents with the knowledge and understanding they need to nurture the very youngest children, building their self-esteem, happiness and well-being as they become enthusiastic lifelong learners.

Kathryn Peckham is a childhood consultant, researcher, author and founder of Nurturing Childhoods. She is an active member of global Early Childhood networks, conducting research for governments and international organisations, writing curricula and contributing to industry-leading publications and guidance such as Birth to 5 Matters.