“THE PERSON WITHIN”

By Melody Rubie

I recently spoke to a potential client who was looking for a sitter for her nine month old.  While she understood that sitters with child development skills were best suited for looking after her child she also believed these skills were not necessary until the child was ready for some sort of day care.

I respect her decision to look for cheaper temporary child care, but the more I thought about our conversation, the more I realized how vital it is that parents understand sitters need child development skills whether that child is one or ten, and for one crucial reason:  What about the person within?

What do I mean by that?

What most parents of newborns need help with from a caregiver is someone who will run errands, do laundry and make a family meal while caring for the baby.  After all, apart from basic physical needs what is so important about a caregiver with these skills at this early age?  In response I’d like to emphasize:  what about the person within?

The early years of brain development for your child are critical.  The ability of the human brain to adapt and grow particularly over this period is nothing short of miraculous.  In less than a year most babies have begun understanding language and can distinguish colors and shapes and can communicate their needs and wants in ever sophisticated ways! Scientists and child development experts have conclusively shown that the developing brain of newborns as well as older infants is powerfully influenced by social interaction (Check out this episode of Charlie Rose if you want to really get into the subject.  http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/10877?sponsor_id=1)

Let me give you a concrete example of what I’m talking about:  When my son was nine months old, he showed a preference for the book “How Do Dinosaurs Say Good-Night”.  One day, while reading this book to him, I noticed him making a noise that sounded like congestion.

As an anxious new mom, I was ever vigilant to my child’s every hiccup.  I became convinced he was catching a cold and immediately rushed him to the pediatrician.  We left the doctor’s office with a clean bill of health.

Later that day, I again read him his favorite book.  On a certain page which illustrated the dinosaur stomping and roaring angrily, again my son made his “growling” noise.

That was the moment I realized my tiny child was making a joke!  He hasn’t stopped since.

Although children may need help with physical things, the person within must always be acknowledged and encouraged to develop.  So when you choose a care giver for your child, make absolutely sure they can “see” the inner person within your child.  He or she deserves nothing less.

Melody Rubie