When it comes to disciplining grandchildren, there are many grandparents who wonder when they should take action, as well as what action should be taken. In all honesty, you will find that it depends on a number of different factors. One of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration is the age of your grandchildren. For instance, newborns, infants, and toddlers are often unable to control their actions or comprehend the consequences of those actions, as opposed to school-aged children.

Before disciplining your grandchildren, it is important that you take a close look at the situation at hand. Was it an accident? For example, did your grandchild break a picture frame? If so, were they previously warned of the dangers of doing so or was it truly an accident? In instances that can be deemed accidents, such as spilled drinks or food, you should have a discussion with your grandchild on the importance of being careful, but you may want to avoid disciplining them. There are a number of downsides and dangers to disciplining young children for accidents or situations that were out of their control.

With that in mind, some situations will call for discipline. For example, did you tell your grandchild not to throw a ball inside, but they did so anyways? Situations like these will require action on your part. As your grandchildren increase in age, discipline is important, otherwise, you may find yourself being taken advantage of. One question that many grandparents have is what type of discipline is appropriate. For starters, you should never resort to physical violence or verbal abuse. For toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children, time outs, as well as the taking away of privileges are often successful forms of discipline.

As a reminder, if you maintain a constant presence in the lives of your grandchildren, there will likely come a time when you have to discipline them. Before that time comes, you may want to seek advice from your son or daughter, as many parents have strict views, beliefs, and policies that you will want to attempt to adhere to.

When it comes to grand parenting and neglect, a great rule of thumb to follow is your grandchild’s health and safety. For instance, do you feel that they are being put in danger, even unintentionally? If so, it is time for you to take action. Unfortunately, many grandparents are concerned with the family problems that will be created when calling out neglect. While they problems do and may exist, it is important to keep the health and safety of your grandchild in mind.

One of the many instances in which you may want to intervene is if you suspect your grandchild isn’t properly being cared for, in terms of their health. Newborns, infants, and even toddlers need to receive proper medical attention and they need to eat healthy foods. If you find that your son or daughter is neglecting to seek the proper medical care for your grandchild, whether it be attending well visits or a trip to the dentist, you may want to voice your concerns. You may find an issue with money, a lack of insurance, or just a parent who is unaware of the importance of regular medical checkups.

Perhaps, the one situation where you shouldn’t take any chances is where you suspect abuse is involved. This abuse should include physical and verbal abuse. This is particularly important if your grandchild is a newborn or an infant, as they are unable to speak for themselves. When your grandchild learns to walk or reaches the active toddler stages, it is common to see bumps and bruises, but be on the lookout for anything that causes concern. If you are unsure as to the result of bruises or other injuries, you may first want to approach your child. However, if you see abuse firsthand, it may be wise to contact the proper officials.

As a reminder, intervening in your grandchild’s life may cause you some concern, but it is important to remember that neglect is nothing to mess around with. Your grandchild relies on you, as their grandparent, to provide them with love, support, and safety.

In actuality, infant development experts have discovered that your behavior – how you interact and respond to your baby – is the key to stimulating your infant’s emotional and intellectual growth. During his first years, your baby’s brain will develop billions of pathways. Everything that your infant sees, hears, or touches during his earliest years of life will strengthen these pathways. As the pathways mature in your baby’s brain, they will enable your baby to think, learn and eventually talk.

To stimulate growth, infants don’t require expensive toys; they learn by doing. In addition to loving, nurturing care, what they most need are new things to try. Therefore, if you want to provide nourishment for your infant’s mind, offer experiences that stimulate your baby’s senses, as well as encourage his interaction with his surroundings. For example, holding, cuddling, playing, talking and other similar kinds of nurturing activities all stimulate brain development. And they are all free!

Here are six simple ways you can support your baby’s healthy development:

Language
Talk to your baby to help him develop language skills. Long before babies begin to form words, they are learning language and creating “conversations.” Encourage your baby’s vocabulary to grow by repeating the sounds he makes back to him. Play a face-to-face game as you interact. Enunciate each word clearly so he can see how your mouth moves. Imitate your baby’s sounds and gestures, and add to them. When he makes a certain sound, tell him actual words that start with that sound. Then, pause for a moment and give him a chance to respond.

Touch
Touch is one of your baby’s most effective methods for exploring and learning about the world around her. Your baby’s hands are her first tools, and she will be fascinated by what they can do. Not only will she use her hands to explore new and interesting objects, she will use them to become aware of the boundaries of her own body. Let your baby touch and handle a variety of textured and smooth objects, as long as they are nontoxic and safe. Try materials that are gentle to the touch, such as velvet, fur, silk, or terry cloth. Wooden building blocks, plastic balls, rubber squeak toys, cloth books, or crumpled paper can also provide another set of interesting textures.

Scents
Introduce scents to your baby since pleasant aromas will enhance his sensory awareness. Try lotions, perfumes or after shave—any mild pleasing scents. Use everyday activities to explore the discovery of scents. For example, while you are cooking, let him smell the cinnamon, then the vanilla, or cut up pieces of fragrant fruit or fresh herbs and hold them under his nose. When you are outdoors, introduce him to the scents of nature. Let him feel the soft petals and smell the fragrance of fresh blossoms or cut grass.

Play!
Floor games offer a wide variety of play options, as well as the opportunity for your baby to perfect her new motor skills. Since babies are fascinated by objects that move, use brightly colored balls for bouncing and rolling fun. As your baby gains better physical control, try placing one or two colorful toys just out of her reach. Give her a few minutes, and see if she wiggles or scoots forward while trying to reach the toys.

Rhyme Time!
Recite nursery rhymes. Rhymes and poems that demonstrate an up-and-down rhythm and tone emphasize the musical characteristics of language. Rhymes will help your infant link certain words with certain actions. In combination with gestures, rhymes will also aid in improving your child’s memory and anticipation skills. As your child grows older, these familiar nursery rhymes will also help in the beginning phases of reading. So, build a repertoire of songs and rhymes, and sing, say, or play them frequently.

Get Silly!
Silly face games are great fun for you and your baby. Different facial expressions and sounds help develop your baby’s vision and hearing. Sing a song and use exaggerated facial movements and gestures. Smile wide, act surprised, blink your eyes, or wiggle your nose. Make different sounds—pop air through your cheeks, yawn, or sneeze. You can even make peek-a-boo toys out of cardboard toilet paper tubes and paper towel cylinders. The more animated you act the more delighted your baby will be.

Always celebrate and praise each little step your baby achieves as he develops. By recognizing his behavior, he will learn that his actions matter. Acknowledge his attempts as well as his accomplishments, since both are equally important. As you consistently validate his achievements, you will also help him to establish a positive self-image, which is critical to the development of his personality. If you give your baby the opportunity to develop this positive awareness of himself right from the earliest stages of his life, his feelings of success will further his incentive to achieve.

About the Author:
Susan Stelfox, mother of one, is the author of Baby Be Loved: Growing and Learning Together During the First 24 Weeks. To learn more about infant bonding and play visit http://www.BabyBeLoved.com