Baby and Toddler Body Language

For decades, experts have studies the importance of nonverbal communication in adults. The idea that the body has its own innate language has become so accepted in our society that magazines and newspapers regularly print articles on how to read and interpret those hidden signals we all sent out.

It is universally acknowledged that adults use body languages, both consciously and unconsciously. Studies have shown that up to 60 % of all human interaction is based not on speech but on the subtle movement, gestures, and responses of our bodies. This includes the tiniest reactions, such as the dilation of pupils or a slightly increased rate of breathing, to the more obvious signals like smiling, frowning, and establishing personal space.

Surprisingly, babies are experts on the use and understanding of body language, as they have no other means of communication. Until they learn to talk, children are completely dependent on body languages, and even after they have mastered speaking, their actions still play a massive role in their communication skills. They may not have the words to express themselves, but they always manage to get their points across. Whether summoning attentions through tears or smiles a baby can always make its wants and needs known.

For parents with new babies whether their first child or fourth – life would be much less frustrating if they could understand exactly what their infant is trying to express indeed, a child's cries can become a major source of concern. Although we try our best to comfort small children, sometimes there is just no knowing what a child is trying to tell us and we are left to fun through a checklist of possibilities: is she uncomfortable? Hungry? Tired? Scared? This is when understanding and interpreting your baby's body language can become extremely helpful.

From newborns to toddlers, children use a wide variety of gestures and actions to communicate with adults around them. Indeed, without them, caring for a child would be extremely difficult. As parents many of our responses are completely instinctive, though often correct.

Few mothers can stand still for long once they hear the distinctive cry of distress from their own child. Any parent would find it difficult not to smile back at a young baby when he or she smiles at you. From the moment it enters the world, everything a baby does helps to ensure he or she is looked after and protected by his or her parents. There are powerful biological, hormonal and physical imperatives all urging us on to cherish and care for the small, helpless child in front of us. It is our duty as parents and caregivers to provide a loving, nurturing home to give our children a sense of self-worth and confidence and also to show them the importance of understanding. We expect them to listen to what we say and to do this we show them how gratifying it is when they are listened to and understood.

By learning to interpret your child's body language, you will better understand their motivations and thought processes, and instil in them the idea that you empathise and understand them. Few things are more important to a child.

Studying your baby's body language will not only help you to better know your child, but will help you appreciate how your own actions can encourage or possibly hinder your child's development. For example, when feeding a child solid food for the first time, most people will unconsciously open and close their mouths, make “ num-num” noises and demonstrate the action of swallowing. All these simple gestures teach children more than just actions; they also teach the appropriate reactions.

Children who are taught to understand learn from and respond to the body language of others will become more confident and easy going adults. We learn our social skills from the examples set by others, usually our parents. With this in mind, you should remember to pay close attention to your own body language. Babies learn quickly, and unfortunately, they pick up both good and bad habits. If you can provide a good role model for your child by using positive body language, it will help your child to develop into self-assured and confident adult. A baby not only discovers how to use his or her own body language to interact with the people around him or her, but quickly learns to interpret the gestures of others.

As babies quickly grow into toddlers, they learn to combine their body language with their rudimentary language skills, and should they glean any negative habits from you, these will soon become apparent. Toddlers love to impersonate the behaviour of those closet to them; it is how they learn to be adults, and should any of your less admirable practices come back to haunt you, you have only yourself to blame.

Raising a child is a wonderful, exciting, testing, tiring and joyful pursuit. There are few times in your life that will cause you to laugh quite so often or enjoy life quite so much. By studying the nonverbal communications of your infant, you will not be able to read minds. However, it will give you a better understanding of how your child really feels, and what these actions mean. Anything that helps you to feel closer to and empathise with your child is well worth exploring.