Updated September 2026
In this guide
For babies: support the caregiver
This section is for adults, not a screen-based activity for babies. Everyday attention, talking and responding to your baby are opportunities for connection. If you are depleted, think about who can help with practical care. A website cannot assess feeding, development, sleep safety or your baby’s health; take those questions to an appropriate professional.
Following a child's lead
Choose one familiar activity you can share today.
For toddlers and preschoolers: make today understandable
Use simple, truthful information about who is caring for them and what happens next. Familiar activities can provide continuity when adult circumstances change. Do not promise visits or plans that are uncertain.
Room for a little play
Choose a small activity that fits your child, your energy and the time you have together.
After a frightening moment
A child should not be responsible for fixing an adult’s feelings. An adult can acknowledge what happened without blame or adult detail. If danger is ongoing, prioritise appropriate help rather than reassurance that is not true. Seek professional guidance about distress that worries you; a picture card is not a treatment.
When an adult is away
Explain only what you know, at a level the child can understand. Focus on the caregiver and reliable next step. Avoid asking a child to carry messages, choose sides or monitor another parent. The same principle applies when adults live apart.
One step you could take
- Choose one familiar activity you can share today.
- Identify who can help with practical care.
- Ask a professional about health or developmental concerns.
Sources
Research reviewed to 1 September 2026.