What's the point of kisses and smiles?

Nothing is more important than the warm and loving physical contact of mom or dad. Discover why kisses and cuddles are so important for Baby in this new episode of the “Tell Me” series.

Why was this situation filmed?

Alexis has just woken up and his mother is interacting with him. This situation helps to better understand the importance of the attachment bond between the child and their primary attachment figure.

 Tell me… What’s the point of kisses and smiles?

At the start of the day, Alexis's mother gently approaches him. She smiles at him and strokes him softly. These everyday gestures contribute to building a bond of trust and security between Alexis and his mother. This bond will influence how Alexis discovers the world and forges his future relationships. The bond of trust between parent and child is illustrated by the image of a thread. The tighter and more tightly woven it is, the longer it can grow without risk of breaking, allowing the child to gain perspective and explore the world with confidence. The bonds between Alexis and his loved ones will evolve throughout his childhood and adolescence. Thanks to these relationships, he will want to connect with other children and adults around him. When parents offer small gestures of comfort and affection, they nurture their relationship with their child. By responding with smiles and sounds, the child encourages these interactions. It is important for a child to feel confident in order to develop their full potential. Therefore, when Alexis starts nursery, he will have all the confidence he needs to experience new things and make his first friendships.

How to support the child?

• Take the time to interact with the child, regardless of their age or the situation, by talking to them, cuddling them,
  
• It is during stressful times that a child will need hugs and smiles to reassure them of the adult's ability to comfort them.,
  
• Observe the child and their reactions to identify the child's needs.
  

To learn more:

• Early, high-quality interactions between parent and child promote and strengthen the attachment bond.
  
• A secure parent-child bond is essential for a child's healthy development.
  
• Physical contact is an important factor in building a quality attachment bond.
  

Our articles on the same topic

• How can we help a child to form a bond with another person?
• Why talk to a baby?
• Baby's first social interactions
• Attachment… That obscure thing everyone's talking about