The key to taking care of infants and children is to identify, understand, and then meet their needs. A child's needs are different depending on her age, health and personality. Planned Parenthood points out that there is a hierarchy of six basics needs that are the most crucial for child development. If you satisfy the requirements of each level of need, you'll be on your way to creating a happy healthy child.
Step 1
Satisfy your child's bodily or physical needs by providing basic shelter and necessities. Bodily needs include food, water, adequate sleep, diapers, proper hygiene, medical care and clothing. Children's needs also include making babies and children feel comfortable in their own bodies. Encourage your child to regularly express his emotions and to be comfortable with his body and his sexuality. Meet his medical needs by scheduling regular immunizations and doctor's visits.
Step 2
Satisfy your child's need for safety and security. Listen to your child when she has a concern and be patient as she learns and grows. Practice discipline that's pain-free and fair instead of hitting. She needs to understand that she can talk to you when she has a problem, feels lonely, gets scared or just has a question. Take a time out, recommends KidsHealth, if you feel your patience or your temper wearing thin. It's okay to ask for help or remove yourself from a bad situation for a moment.
Step 3
Satisfy your child's need to feel loved and experience affection. Give hugs, kisses and praise when appropriate. Teach your children about appropriate, loving physical touch. Regularly tell your child how loved he is and explain what unconditional love is so that he knows he is a part of a loving family, even when he does something wrong.
Step 4
Build your child's self-esteem. Regularly praise your child for learning new skills, being on task and displaying behaviors you think are healthy and appropriate. Avoid harsh criticisms or punishments, especially during potty training and other tough learning processes. Make your child feel confident and capable by encouraging him to try new things and praising his efforts--good or bad.
Step 5
Help your child develop his abilities concerning learning, knowledge and understanding by exposing him to a wide variety of activities, both in the home and outside of the home. This could include books, museums, play dates with other children, music lessons, library story time or any activity that satisfies your child's natural curiosity and encourages him to learn and try new things. Expose him to a wide variety of subjects.
Step 6
Help satisfy your child's artistic needs by not only making art and music available to her, but by encouraging her imaginative play and daydreams. Encourage your child to have goals and to dream big. Respect your child growing sense of independence and respect that she may have goals and dreams for her life that you disagree with. Teach her the value of happiness, harmony and beautiful things.
