Attaching and bonding to your kids is vital for their survival and development. Attachment starts as baby enters the world. When baby cries or is hungry and is comforted, bonding and attachment are taking place. Baby learns to trust that his primary caregiver will meet his needs. A mutual bond begins to form between baby and caregiver and this will carry on as baby develops. In some instances, like adoption, bonding and attachment might not form until the child has gone through several stages of development. With appropriate therapy and parenting techniques, kids who have been adopted later in life can still flourish and grow into successful adults. It is never too late to attach and bond with your kids! Here is a list of age appropriate ways to attach and bond with your kids birth to age five:

Birth – One
Holding/rocking, singing/talking, smiling, giving baby a bath, feeding baby, use a front baby carrier, walking baby in a stroller

One-Two
Read, give your toddler a massage, go swimming, attend story time at the library, give lots of hugs, say I love you

Three-Four
Paint, bake cookies, go on a nature walk, listen, model positive behavior, do chores together, sort and match socks

Four-Five
Go to the park, make dinner together, go on a picnic, start a family garden, play a game, plan a mommy/son or daddy/daughter date

Attaching and bonding with your kids allows them to feel loved, secure, and confident. These feelings are so important as your kids grow into young adults. We hope these ideas encourage you to spend time bonding and attaching to your kids!