How do you connect with a child?

The other day when DD1 was playing in the park, there came another child of the same age group who was initially hesitant to leave his mom's side and start playing. Upon talking some nice words to let him feel free, he ran towards the park and started sliding his way to joy.

I glance around to see how all the little ones are playing in park, the swimming pool, the cricket ground. Just when I look back to see what DD1 is doing, I notice DD1 and the little boy laughing out loud as they jump around in the sand and run towards the ladder that leads them to slide down. Both the kids, who can actually talk fluently, are sharing smiles, laughing together, playing together and following each one's lead - all by not talking even one word with each other. They did not talk to connect. They did not make any agreements to connect. They just smiled at the same time, one responded to another's jump in the right way and each of them followed the other running while even taking turns and giving chances to who leads whom in the play. This is exactly the way children connect to any one around them. This is the way children connect to children and this is the way children connect to adults. They need people who understand them even before they make an attempt to cry because they are unable to articulate their need in sentence. They need people who cater to their needs even before they ask for it. They need people who understand their joy and pain when they are unable to share their emotions. They need people who understand that they are tired and hence the behaviour instead of yelling at them for the crankiness. They need people who hug them and relieve them of their big sad feelings even when they cannot share their huge emotions. They need people who look at them like the way they look at the world. They need people who connect to them. They love to be with people who attempt to make this connection.

In everyday life, as each parent strives to provide the best food, best clothing, best place to live in, best school to study in, best toys to play with and lot more, let us not forget to provide the best environment for all the good emotions to blossom in our little one's heart. Remember, as the child is growing physically, she is also growing emotionally and spiritually.

You could start with spending just 10 minutes each day in trying to connect with our child. If you are not able to control your emotions for the entire day, start with just 10 minutes initially. Think about ways you could connect with your child and be consistent in your efforts. All your time and efforts will surely pay off.

Let's join our hands in raising happy kids and emotionally responsible citizens of the next generation.