Time-Outs

February 23, 2022

Time-outs are an often misunderstood and misused technique for discipline. Here are a few quick ways to explain time-outs to caregivers: It’s a pause or body break, not a punishment. It’s meant to interrupt physically aggressive behavior only. It’s short: 30-60 seconds. Time-outs are not a replacement for caregiver soothing. Learning to pause and calm…Read More

Positive Opposites

February 16, 2022

Quick tip to promote positive opposites: When you hear parents commenting on challenging behaviors in the visit, model how they can ask for the behavior they want to see instead. Try things like, “please keep your body on the table,” instead of “stop moving,” or, “please hold this,” instead of “stop touching that.” See this…Read More

Synchrony

February 9, 2022

Quick tip to promote synchrony: Encourage parents to think about how their baby is feeling, or what their baby is communicating. Then, model for parents how they can match their baby’s mood with their voice and response. For example, you can say: “I know you’re cold, that isn’t fun. I’m right here, and I’m going…Read More

Crying and Fussiness

February 2, 2022

Though infant crying and fussiness is an expected part of development, it isn’t easy for parents. Help build knowledge and understanding with these strategies: Promote soothing. Newborns cannot be spoiled and need help from adults to calm down. Encourage sleep. Remind caregivers that being overtired contributes to fussiness. Advise putting the baby down every 1.5-2…Read More