Preparing Children For Prison Visits:

A Developmental Guide

Infants:

0-6 Months

Babies Like To:

Be held a lot!!

Look at things, especially faces. Reach and bat and grab.

Put things in their mouths.

Some need their fingers and thumbs to calm themselves.

“Respond” to familiar voices and faces

React to new sounds

Use their sense of smell to differentiate between people

Cry to communicate

Before the Visit

Caregivers Can:

Let baby hear a tape of parent’s voice (videos are great, too).

Wash baby’s sheets and clothes in the soap or body wash used by the parent.

Communicate with the incarcerated parent about the child’s new and emerging skills, what her noises mean as she learns to talk and how he is standing, crawling or rolling over. This may make the inmate parent sad but will help maintain the attachment and could minimize distress at visits.

During Visits Inmate

Parents Can:

Know that holding your baby won’t spoil him or her.

Position baby so he/she can see you – change position if he/she gets bored.

Allow baby to touch your face and explore you.

Gently unfold fingers when they grab your hair, etc.

Talk to baby a lot!

Change the tone in your voice. Sing. Imitate baby’s sounds.

Understand that babies cry because they need or want something.

Let baby’s caregiver help you to “read” baby’s signals. They may be changing rapidly and you will need help knowing what the changes have been.