When a caring adult allows a child to take on new tasks of interest and create new routines, children learn that they are growing more capable every day. For example, a child who cuts melon and banana with a dull knife to prepare everyone’s snack learns that they capable of handling food, knives and capable of helping others. When caring adults help a child to create their own books (filled with pictures of people they love and places they’ve been), children can easily tell their own stories and practice their literacy and reading skills. When a caring adult follows a child’s interests in play, the child learns that their interests matter to you and helps build a loving relationship. If your child is playing with cars, join in. Show your child how you enjoyed playing with cars when you were a child, and notice and encourage your child as they enjoy playing today.