• FACIAL EXPRESSIONS/be aware of the "looks" on your face. Use warm, encouraging expressions. Each look sends a message to your child. (+ or -)
• EYES/use friendly eyes, give direct eye contact, and loving looks.
• LOOK and WATCH with interest and full attention to the CHILD.
• LOOK FOR/PAY ATTENTION TO the GOOD. Behavior, words, and actions attended to grow in frequency.

Your children are always LOOKing to you for validation of who they are and how they are doing. Just like the queen in Snow White, the are asking, "Mirror, Mirror, on the wall. Who is the fairest one of all?" A LOOK from you can tell them if they are the princess or the witch. Use THE LOOK OF LOVE on this child you adore!

• GENTLE VOLUME with LOVING INFLECTION (as you talk, coo, sing, read stories)
• WORD CHOICES/ use words that feel good/that you would like to hear.
• LABLES/ Nicknames and words you use to describe your child and his actions MUST BE POSITIVE and KIND.
• PRAISE/ descriptive, specific, immediate, sincere, and often.
• AFFIRM/ use strong, positive words that build the child you wish to be or the actions you wish to see.

WORDS can HELP or HARM. Choose them wisely and well. "KIND WORDS can be short and easy to speak, but their ECHOES are endless." - Quote by Mother Teresa

• GIVE PLENTY OF AFFECTION (Hugs, kisses, hold hands, sit on your lap, pat-pats, pubs, hair rumples)
• TOUCH OFTEN and EVERY DAY.
• MASSAGES
• Provide SOLACING OBJECTS/Things that give a child comfort and peace if a parent is not there. (teddy bear/blanket)

TOUCH IS NECESSARY FOR LIFE! TOUCH provides balance, calms, relaxes, increases a sense of well-being, increases immunity, eases trauma, and relieves stress. Anthropologist Ashley Montagu, Ph.D. states, "Our SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON TOUCH."