Importance of Quiet Time ...
Importance of Quiet Time for Babies and Toddlers
How many times in a day do you crave for some quiet time – a break from the constant hustle and bustle, the multiple meetings and calls, human interactions and even screen time?
As adults, we require respite from the cacophony of daily life in order to recharge, rest, and get back to our chores and tasks. Babies and infants are no different. Yes, they may not be juggling multiple roles and responsibilities like you do at work and at home but that doesn’t change the fact that kids require quiet time just as much as we do. It’s important to remember that babies’ brains continue to develop till they reach the age of 25, and the little ones are like sponges constantly absorbing everything they hear, see and feel around them. That is enough to drain their little bodies and minds and at the end of the day, they probably feel just as tired and exhausted as you do.
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This is why quiet time is crucial for babies' brains to develop fully. But quiet time does not refer to nap time. Nap and sleep routines are completely different. Quiet time is just what the name suggests – it is a time to relax and recharge and of course, to remain quiet. It lets them rest and get energized again for the next set of activities. As scientific research into babies and their brain development progresses, doctors frequently recommend scheduling some quiet time daily for babies and infants, especially up to the age of three. In this article, we will explore the importance of quiet time for the development of a baby’s brain and some practical tips that can help.
Understanding Your Baby’s Brain Development
Human brains do not stop developing till at least the age of twenty-five. But, the most vital stage of brain development is between the ages of zero to three. As a matter of fact, research shows that 90% of our brains develop before the age of five. Till the age of three, your baby’s brain is developing rapidly and the environment in which they are growing up plays a pivotal role in ensuring that your baby’s brain develops at the rate at which it should. During this period, your baby is taking in all the information around them – new sights, sounds, scents, and sensations. At this stage, however, they do not have the capacity to filter information or determine which is useful, and which is unnecessary. From the age of five, the brain starts sorting all the information that it has collected over the years and begins to focus – what the brain focuses on and how the child responds to various kinds of stimuli would depend on the conditions to which they were exposed to in the earliest stages of brain development.
Not just the environment, but the experiences that a baby has in the first three years would build the foundation for the rest of their lives. Experiences can be negative or positive, but as parents and care providers, the onus is on you to ensure enriching and healthy experiences as far as possible.
What is Quiet Time for Babies and Infants?
Babies usually tend to nap and sleep more than adults do, and the period in which they are awake and active are called “wake windows.” But even when they are awake, constant stimulation can do more harm than good when it comes to brain development. Research has shown that human brains tend to “solidify” or process the information that has been collected when we are awake but in a state of rest – not when we are asleep. And that is exactly what quiet time is, for adults and babies alike.
It's a short period of time during the day when your baby is not interacting with anyone – even you – and is not watching television. Quiet time for babies is meant to be calm, peaceful and stress-free. During quiet time, your child doesn’t have to be asleep – they could simply be playing on their own or doing whatever activity that they wish to that gives them quietude and peace.
Quiet time can be a little difficult for babies, because they may simply choose to play or be active even during the scheduled quiet time. It would be too much to expect that babies and toddlers will perceive quiet time or even appreciate it as you do as an adult. But you can certainly exercise some control over the kind of activity they are engaging in. For instance, they should be away from screens during this time. You can include quiet toys – toys that do not cause a ruckus – during this period. You must allow your baby to be independent and leave them alone during this period. The presence of a parent or any other family member could affect the quality of quiet time for the child.
Why is Quiet Time Important for Brain Development?
Quiet time for babies can be beneficial for their brain development in multiple ways. Some benefits are:
Enhanced Learning – Babies and infants usually find it difficult to focus on any one particular object or activity for prolonged periods of time. Allowing them to indulge in some quiet time, where the number of activities is limited, would enable them to focus better and process information in a more structured manner. This will in turn enhance their learning capabilities as they grow older.
Ability to Think Creatively – When we are bored or left to entertain ourselves, we often come up with innovative and creative ways to keep ourselves engaged. The same applies to babies and infants. With no one to tell them exactly what to do and with limited activity options, your baby’s creative side is bound to take over. As they are filled with the immense task of filling up time that has not been structured for them, they get to think creatively about how to entertain themselves.
Emotional Intelligence – During quiet time, you may observe that your kid is not always up to some activity. They may simply be relaxing and appear to be engrossed in deep thought. A break from play and games and human interactions gives them a chance to reflect and process everything that is happening around them and even their associations with the people around them. This allows them to develop feelings about people and situations which leads to higher emotional intelligence. As they grow up, babies who have had time to process their thoughts and feelings have better emotional development.
Ability to Function Independently – Babies and toddlers are dependent on their caregivers and parents. That is perfectly normal. But it is equally important to inculcate a sense of independence and autonomy in your kid from a young age. They should be able to think independently without someone constantly telling them what to do – even if it means making mistakes. That is how they’ll learn. By encouraging your child to be independent, you are also preparing them for times when you may not be present. This is particularly important if you are a working parent.
Chance to Rest and Relax – Quiet team essentially means taking a break or some time off mentally. It is an opportunity to disengage from everything that is happening around them and to take time off just for their own selves. This allows your child to recenter, recharge, rest, and get back to their daily routine with a fresh and rejuvenated mind. Your child may not be showing it, but they could be feeling stressed or discontent. For babies and infants, crying or acting out is how they show frustration. Quiet time for babies would ensure that they get to process their feelings in a healthy manner.
How to Ensure Quiet Time for Your Baby?
Including quiet time in your child’s daily routine may not be easy, especially with countless activities planned throughout the day. But here are some tips that can help:
For quiet time to become a habit, it must be practiced every day. You can start with 15 minutes a day, and once your baby gets used to the idea, you can increase the time period. Unlike naps, quiet time does not have to be at a fixed time every day. You can plan based on your baby’s day-to-day schedule.
Keep a stock of quiet toys. These include building blocks, soft toys, colouring books, play dough, and a variety of other toys that do not make a very loud noise. You can create a separate space for these toys in their play area.
Quiet time can be an effective way of introducing your child to music and books. You can get a set of books, based on your child’s age and reading abilities, and keep them exclusively for quiet time. Similarly, you can create a playlist based on the kind of music your kid seems to enjoy. Music can have a calming effect on your child’s brain, enabling them to relax.
Ensure that the activities you plan before quiet time starts have a clear endpoint. For example, if your baby was outdoors playing with someone, pulling them inside for quiet time may be challenging. On the contrary, you can plan a snack or some activity where you have control over how it plays out.
Puzzles are also a great option for quiet time. There are age-appropriate puzzles that you can purchase and keep for quiet time for babies. Puzzles help with focusing skills, motor skills, and other aspects of brain development.
Everyone needs a break or a time off once in a while – even babies and infants. Quiet time for babies may seem like a challenging task, especially if your child is very young. But all you need is a bit of planning and patience – gradually, your child will adapt and even welcome the idea of quiet time because it allows them to take a break and destress. Between the ages of zero and three, your baby’s brain is constantly in overdrive – it is also extremely vulnerable to overstimulation. While naps help, it is important to disengage and take time to process information and feelings while awake for enhanced brain development.
FAQs
#1. Is quiet time good for babies?
Yes, quiet time is good for babies, irrespective of age as it allows them to rest and relax.
#2. Will quiet time affect your baby’s sleep patterns?
No, quiet time would not have an impact on your baby’s sleep schedule as they would be engaged in some activity during this period. Quiet time is basically like a mental break for them.
#3. Is quiet time the same for all age groups?
The kind of activities you plan during a quiet time for babies would depend on their age and preferences. Each baby is different and may prefer to spend quiet time in unique ways.
Sources
Howard-Jones, P., Taylor, J., & Sutton, L. (2002). The Effect of Play on the Creativity of Young Children During Subsequent Activity. Early Child Development and Care, 172(4), 323–328. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430212722
Ruini, C., Vescovelli, F., Facchini, M., & Maset, R. (2023). Quiet Time-A School Program Based on Meditation for Promoting Well-Being in Children: Results from a Controlled Investigation. European Journal of Psychology and Educational Research, 6(1), 1-9.
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