Tips for supporting child development

Here we offer some practical tips on how to support your child's development, from helping them develop their language and motor skills to fostering their sense of confidence and independence. With these simple everyday actions, you can positively influence your child's development.
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  1. Talk with your child a lot and look them in the eye. Lower yourself to your child's level when you talk to them. This is how you support your child's language development!  
  2. Involve your child in doing household chores and limit the time they spend using their phone. Spend time together without screens. This is how you support your child's development!  
  3. Praise and admire your child at least once a day. This is how you strengthen your child's self-confidence!  
  4. Let your child cut with scissors and climb. This is how you support your child's motor development!  
  5. Let your baby practice moving around independently on the floor by laying them down on their back and stomach. This is how you support your child's motor development!  
  6. Stop using a stroller once your child is around 3 years old and walk to daycare with your child. This is how you support your child's motor development!  
  7. Spend family time without phones and screens. Set up a mobile phone hotel at home for children's and adults' phones. This is how you support your child's language development!  
  8. Support your child in taking opportunities to learn how to swim, cycle and skate. Exercise together with your child. This is how you support your child's motor development!  
  9. Encourage your child to do even more difficult things on their own and help them succeed. This is how you help your child develop independence!  
  10. Offer your baby a variety of sensory experiences throughout the day. Soothe them at bedtime by giving them a gentle massage, playing soft sounds, and dimming the lights. This is how you help your baby sleep and rest well!  
  11. Offer your child 5 to 6 meals a day and let them taste a variety of foods. This is how you support your child's growth and development!  

These tips have been compiled by occupational therapists, speech therapists, physiotherapists and public health nurses working at the family centres of the City of Helsinki.

You can also find this page at hel.fi/tips-for-supporting-child-development.