Express care with your eyes
0–6 monthsFamily ConnectionNo materials needed
When you interact with your child, let your eyes show warmth and care. Make gentle eye contact during feeding, diaper changes, and play. Soften your gaze and let your face show that you are happy to be with them. Even at this young age, your child is learning about connection and empathy through the emotional messages in your eyes.
Part of the Imprint developmental journey — personalized to your child.
How to Do This Activity
When you interact with your child, let your eyes show warmth and care. Make gentle eye contact during feeding, diaper changes, and play. Soften your gaze and let your face show that you are happy to be with them. Even at this young age, your child is learning about connection and empathy through the emotional messages in your eyes.
Why It Works
Eye contact combined with warm emotional expression is a powerful way infants learn about empathy and emotional connection. Your gaze communicates safety, acceptance, and care. Research indicates that these early empathetic interactions with parents build children's capacity to recognize emotions and respond compassionately to others throughout their lives (Eisenberg et al., 2015; Liu et al., 2020).
Tips for Parents
If your child looks away, follow their lead. Direct eye contact can be intense, so let them control the amount.
Your authentic feelings show through your eyes. If you are having a hard day, it is okay. Just being present and trying counts.
Materials Needed
None
Learning Methods
Responsive InteractionSensory Exploration
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