Parenting takes many different forms. However, some positive parenting practices work well across diverse families and in diverse settings when providing the care that children need to be happy and healthy, and to grow and develop well. A comprehensive report looked at the evidence in scientific publications for what works, and found these key ways that parents can support their child’s healthy development:

Responding to children in a predictable way
Showing warmth and sensitivity
Having routines and household rules
Sharing books and talking with children
Supporting health and safety
Using appropriate discipline without harshness

Parents who use these practices can help their child stay healthy, be safe, and be successful in many areas—emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and social.

Positive Parenting Tips: Infants (0–1 years)

Developmental milestones

Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye-bye” are called developmental milestones. Most children achieve these milestones by a certain age. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, behave, and move (such as crawling, walking, or jumping).

In the first year, babies learn to focus their vision, reach out, explore, and learn about the things around them. Cognitive, or brain development means the learning process of memory, language, thinking, and reasoning. Learning language is more than making sounds (babbling) or saying “ma-ma” and “da-da.” Listening, understanding, and knowing the names of people and things are all a part of language development.

During this stage, babies form bonds of love and trust with their parents and others shaping their social and emotional development. The way parents cuddle, hold, and play with their baby will set the basis for future interactions with them and others.