QT30: The importance of quality time with your child

There is a lot you can do to make sure your child gets a healthy start on life. It’s all about starting early. The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are a period of super-fast changes in their bodies, brains and emotions. A child’s growth in a short period of time is amazing. Even before they walk or talk, babies learn by what they see, hear and feel.

You are your child’s first teacher. You give them things to look at. You give them things to touch. You show them to play simple games. Every time you do things with your child, they are growing. Even little things count. Just 30 minutes each day is like magic when the time you spend is quality time. Quality time means attention is 100% on your baby or child. They can look into your eyes, and you into theirs. You are doing something together. You are touching, playing, and interacting. Quality time is simple with your baby or child. It’s breastfeeding. It’s practicing tummy time. It’s reading, singing and playing together.

Parents shouldn’t be the only ones who spend quality time with a baby or child. Grandparents, older siblings, babysitters, family and friends in their life can try quality time activities too. Your child learns from every movement, word and interaction you present to them. It’s the quality, not the quantity of time you spend with your baby that helps support their development. Anyone can follow simple quality time activities. Click here for a full list of quality time activities to share with your baby or child. We all have a part to play in helping children become the best they can be. When a trusted adult spends 30 minutes of quality time with a baby or child each and every day, they are giving them a great head start in life.