Early Relational Health (ERH) is promoted through everyday moments between parents/caregivers and their babies and toddlers. These moments include routine interactions such as feeding, dressing, and diaper changes as well as reading, singing, playing, and a parent and child simply spending time together.
Parents/caregivers love seeing real-life examples of everyday moments that support ERH. Witnessing a baby’s joy helps them reflect on their own behavior and expands their understanding of how to nurture and strengthen their relationship with their babies. Even more impactful are examples of parents discussing real-world conflicts like financial instability, housing challenges, cultural differences, and even not always being able to respond to the child’s needs immediately because of a sibling or other task. These real-world stories make the invisible visible, so parents can immediately relate and, as they reflect on their own experiences, build their own capacities and parenting abilities.
Nurture Connection has identified the Small Moments Big Impact (SMBI) video series as a unique and valuable resource for early childhood practitioners and ERH advocates to share and discuss with families, to make a special connection for the promotion of ERH. Developed by Barry Zuckerman, MD, and Cyndie Hatcher, MD, this series shows what Early Relational Health really looks like and means in action, and offers opportunities for all frontline providers to have meaningful conversations about ways parents/caregivers can develop their understanding and change their behavior to build ERH within their own families.
With the help of parent leaders from our Nurture Connection Family Network Collaborative, we identified the following SMBI videos that exemplify and embody Early Relational Health in action. It is important to emphasize that the SMBI video series is not a “how to,” but rather a conversation starter with reflection questions following each video. By using these questions as discussion prompts with parents and caregivers, important conversations can occur to help build a special relationship between provider and parent.
Hear more below from our parent leaders about what resonated for them in each of these SMBI videos!
Difficult Time But Getting Better
Being a parent can be tiring. This video highlights the loneliness that some new parents experience and how parents benefit greatly from having a support system of family and friends.
“When we talk about connection and being a parent, everyone talks about how beautiful and wonderful it is . . . but this is work, especially if you’re a single mom. [In this video] she’s by herself and depends on her mom’s support and wisdom to guide her. The ending is encouraging — being a parent does get better.”
Video Reflection Questions:
Have you felt similar to this mother?
How is her story the same or different from yours?
This video emphasizes the importance of embracing cultural diversity and wisdom in the promotion of Early Relational Health through everyday moments like playing, singing, and bath time.
“This is such a powerful video and touched on so many aspects . . . including the importance of culture and native language, [which] is definitely relatable to those who feel like their culture is ignored or forgotten.”
Video Reflection Question:
How does your baby communicate with you?
This video shows an example of a mom trying to connect with her baby — which can be hard in the earliest days, when babies often give few responses back. Even when you think your baby is not responding, the positive connections you’re building are benefiting both of you.
“This is a great reminder to parents that this is a newborn. They’re going to be sleeping. You want more of a response, but there will be moments when that baby’s not going to give you that in return. His job right now is catching up and figuring out what this new world means, and his schedule is upside down. And that doesn’t mean the love is not there — you see the bond and connection.”
Video Reflection Question:
How are you feeling as a mom? Mixed emotions?
Ray of Sunshine in the Darkness of My Mind
Parenthood can provide many paths for new connections, intergenerational healing, and hope — and is not without its challenges. This video raises awareness of the need for support in helping parents navigate postpartum depression as well as their own health and well-being.
“This video exemplifies the importance of ERH and how generations can heal — [how] the power of love and connection can heal your own trauma from your childhood. . . . Even if you didn’t have that sense of connection and love [growing up], it doesn’t mean you cannot have it with your baby and try to break that cycle.”
Video Reflection Questions:
Did you feel “secure and safe” growing up?
How did your parents make you feel safe or not safe?
Sharing in the emotional and financial work of parenting creates a foundation for family connectedness and flourishing. In this video, hear from two parents on how they take turns managing and navigating the demands of parenthood together.
“This video is a great example of a couple raising their children and being on the same page — taking turns to do what it takes to make their family strong. They have their own family love language, and they’re both doing their part. I smiled the whole way through.”
Video Reflection Questions:
How will you raise your baby?
What might be the same as how you were raised? What will be different?
Parenting is often a balancing act, as many parents often worry about not having everything in order, which can cause stress and affect their well-being. This video reminds parents how important it is to take care of themselves and reach out to others in order to be present and take care of their children.
“Even though the single mom in this video has stresses and difficulties she’s facing, she’s still able to show up for her kids and feel like she’s doing a good job — which is really powerful and gives her hope to keep pushing forward. That’s the joy and fulfillment that children bring into our lives.”
Video Reflection Question:
How do you feel about sacrificing your needs for your baby?
Paying attention and recognizing your baby’s cues help build emotional connection. This video celebrates how relational moments can develop throughout daily caregiving routines and interactions, and can create joy and meaning for both parent and child.
“I love that the dad [in this video] talks about knowing his baby’s cues and developmental milestones, including the differences in his baby’s smiles — he knows his baby.”
Video Reflection Question:
This father mentioned that his baby has different smiles. Have you noticed differences in your baby’s smiles?
Additional videos from the Small Moments Big Impacts library are available to view at this link.
This blog post is part of Nurture Connection’s “Everyday ERH Moments” series, which supports practice transformation by showing everyday moments of ERH between parents/caregivers and their babies and toddlers.