Aboriginal - loving and laughing

Aboriginal; loving; laughing; brain; develop; kissing; holding; hugging; listening; mothers; baby;

Anangu and Yapa families

(Central Australia)

Most Anangu and Yapa families welcome their new babies with lots of love and pride. The family give the baby lots of hugs and kisses.

Adults and other children love to make the baby smile and laugh. Babies are held most of the time and never left alone.

This is the best way for babies. When babies feel safe and happy their brains will grow well.

Infant brain research - the first 3 years of life

In Australia and many countries in the world, people are now talking about the importance of a child's first three years.

Child experts are saying that a baby's brain is still developing and growing after the child is born. The baby's brain will develop and grow if she or he feels safe and loved.

Holding, kissing, smiling and talking

When the family holds, kisses, smiles and talks to the baby, the baby feels safe and happy. The nerves and pathways in the brain grow strong and connected.

The child will be able to think and learn and concentrate well. This will last all their life.

Unhappy, fighting, drinking, too busy or not caring

If the family is depressed, fighting, drinking or too busy, they might not smile at, talk to or hold the baby enough. The baby's brain will not develop really well.

Later in their life they might have trouble learning and they might have behaviour problems. These problems could last all their life.

The information in this topic is reproduced (Copyright) with permission, Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation

Acknowledgements
The 'Pipirri Palya - kids are good' project was funded under the 'Child Abuse Prevention and Parenting Support Program, Family Relationships Branch' of the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services, Canberra.

This project was designed by Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation located in Alice Springs and working across the Central Australian Remote Area Communities. Background images from Waltja's Walungurru's Mural Project.

Special Thanks
Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi's Management Committee, Executive, Staff and Publications Unit, the remote area Communities of Central Australia and the project worker, Teresa Butler-Bowdon.

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).

This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your child's sex.