Relationships, Interactions and 3Rs (CICP)

What does the 3Rs stand for?

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

• Respect, Respond, Retrieve

• Respect, Responsive, Reciprocal

• Respect, Reciprocal, Retrieval

Answer explanation

ØRespect: Caregivers should not treat infants and toddlers as objects. Instead, they are to be respected as special and worthy human beings. Involve infants and toddlers in things that concern them.

ØResponsive: Caregivers pay attention to what the infant and toddler initiates and replies to it (respond and have follow up actions/comments).

ØReciprocal: chain of responses/interactions going back and forth between the caregiver and the child. Each response is dependent on the one that came before it.

In the caregiving curriculum, you need to observe these steps:

[select your choices]

• Relate

• Observe

• Read

• Respond

• Wait

Answer explanation

Relate: It is the RELATIONSHIP that you are building with the baby through [the routines] e.g. feeding, diapering, changing, bathing and putting him to bed that is the CURRICULUM.

Observe: Sit quietly and focus on the baby’s actions and behaviours. Don’t be in a hurry but slow down and you will be able to read his cues more accurately. Observation need not be long. It can be brief and often throughout the day. Slowing down also gives the baby time to understand what is happening.

Read: Reading the baby’s signals and cues helps you to understand what the baby is trying to communicate. These signals are critical information for you to give responsive and accurate care to him. E.g. crying, yawning and rubbing of eyes is usually a sign that the baby is tired and wants to sleep.

Respond: You have to act upon what you have seen happening with the baby by GOING to the baby to report (in a descriptive language) what you have observed. E.g. [“I see you are yawning and rubbing your eyes, and maybe tired. I am going to pick you up and put you in your bed to sleep.”] – to place in a conversation bubble** Stretch out your hands and wait for the baby’s reaction.

Wait: Give the baby time to respond to you. Whatever is his response, you include that in your next reaction to him. E.g. You see the baby wiggle his arms and legs. You respond by telling him what you are seeing: “I see you are ready for me to pick you up.” – place in speech bubble** This reflection and feedback helps the baby to understand what is happening.

** Repeat cycle

Touching a baby with our hands indicate a sense of

• gentleness and kindness

• gentleness and safety

• safety and a sense of awareness

• gentleness, kindness and safety

Answer explanation

•Touching a baby via our hands convey a sense of gentleness, kindness and safety.

What is the first step in picking up a baby?

• Speak slowly and tell the baby what you are going to do

• Show him your hands before picking him up

• Bend towards the baby

• Make eye contact with the baby

Answer explanation

Steps to picking up and holding a baby (adapted from Kovach & Patrick, 2012):

1. When approaching a baby, slowly show him your hands before picking him up.

2. Speak gently and tell the baby what you are about to do. Wait 5 seconds to give him time to process the information.

3. Bend towards the baby.

4. Make eye contact—make sure your face is the right distance from the baby’s so that he can focus on you.

5. Move slowly and wait for the baby’s response

6. Place your left hand over the left shoulder joint of baby and slide your right hand down the back of his head, neck and spine.

7. Slide your left hand under right hand and arm for support.

8. Lift forward, cradle and lift baby to your body.

9. Always lifting the baby in the same way builds security.

What is the final step when putting down a baby?

• Lower his bottom onto the surface (for very young infants). With older infants, place their feet down first.

• Lower the rest of his body, supporting his head with your right hand until your left hand joins your right hand.

• With your face still fairly close to baby’s face, tell him what will happen next (whether you are doing a task or moving away).

• Lower the baby’s head and very gently release it.

Answer explanation

Steps to putting down a baby (adapted from Hammond, 2019):

1.First, lower his bottom onto the surface (for very young infants). With older infants, place their feet down first.

2.Then, very slowly lower the rest of his body, supporting his head with your right hand until your left hand joins your right hand.

3.The baby’s head is finally and very gently lowered and released.

4.With your face still fairly close to baby’s face, tell him what will happen next (whether you are doing a task or moving away).

What is the general rule of thumb when putting down a baby?

• Avoid talking to the baby.

• Avoid sudden changes.

• Avoid having others look at the baby when this is happening.

• Avoid having eye contact with the baby.

Answer explanation

The general rule of thumb is to avoid sudden changes. Slow transitions allow the baby to process information and stay focus on what is happening around him.

Which of these are true when diapering a baby? [select more than one option]

• Diapering should be a relaxed and positive experience.

• When diapering, refrain from using negative words e.g. dirty

• When diapering do not talk to the baby.

• When diapering, have a dialogue with the baby.

• When diapering, never leave the baby alone.

Answer explanation

Since a baby gets his diapers changed 5,000 times during his lifetime (Kovach & Patrick, 2012), it should be a relaxed and positive experience.

Caregivers should refrain from using negative words such as messy, smelly or dirty during diaper change. Instead, have a dialogue with the baby about the diaper, wipes, the parts of the body being cleaned.

For safety reasons, NEVER ever leave the infant alone. Therefore, careful and well-organized preparation is of utmost importance.

Which of these are true about bathing a baby? [select more than one option]

• Bathing should be pleasurable and enjoyable for the baby.

• Bathing allows the child and caregiver to build a close relationship.

• Bathing is a stressful time for the child. Do not bathe a child too often.

• Over time he will learn about the use of each bathing object.

Answer explanation

–Bathing should be a pleasurable and enjoyable routine for the infant and his caregiver. It should allow the infant to know the sequence and participate in the process of cleaning, soaping, rinsing, washing etc.

–As a certain length of time is needed on this routine, bathing allows the child and caregiver to build a close relationship.

–If the infant enjoys bathing, over time he will learn about the use of each bathing object (the bathtub, cleaning cloth, soap etc) and how to use them.

How do you apply the 3Rs when bathing a baby? [select more than one option]

• Take control of the situation and be decisive in your tasks.

• Tell the child before you before any task.

• Show cooperation.

• Be sensitive to the child's responses.

Answer explanation

Tell the child what you are going to do before you performs any tasks. For example: “I need to clean your armpit,” and ensure child makes eye-contact with you.

Offer the child opportunities for cooperation. For example: “Can you lift your arm?”

Observe and be sensitive to the child’s responses. For example, if the child shows interest in something, you should acknowledge and provide descriptions, and engage in a conversation with the child. For example: “oh you are touching the diaper. Yes, there’s a dinosaur picture on it. I will put it on for you later.”

Which ONE of this is true about crying?

• Babies should not cry too much as it would be damaging to their emotional development.

• Babies crying is not natural as it show a poor regulation of emotions.

• Babies crying is natural as it is a lack of skill in self-regulating and it is their way to communicate.

• Babies sometimes cry for no reason.

Answer explanation

Crying is NOT the enemy. Lack of skill in self-regulating is. (Hammond, 2019, p. 37). The caregiver’s role is to help the baby find a way to calm himself and to help him understand his different cries.

Babies cry for various reasons and it is a form of communication. They are trying to tell you that they have a need. When caregivers respond to the baby’s cry, she is telling him that he has been heard, she understands and is there to give him sensitive care.