Gentle Care Eases Transitions

1
Gentle Care Eases Transitions Ten-month-old
Jared cries when his mother leaves after a brief
mid-day visit to the infant room. Caregiver Kayla
picks him up and calmly sings to him. He
continues to cry and Kayla rhythmically begins to
bend her knees to gently bounce him. After a few
minutes of this soothing care of Jared, she
slowly sits on the floor with him in her lap and
offers him a toy. After a little time holding
him in her lap, he settles down and she slowly
moves him to the floor in front of her. Then
she positions herself next to Jared so she is
available if he needs comfort. After a couple
more minutes, Kayla gets up. Jared is now calmly
playing with his toy and babbling as he fingers
its parts.
From the South Dakota Institute for Infant
Toddler Development Care