Preparing Children For Prison Visits:

A Developmental Guide

Older

Babies:

7-13 Months

Babies Like To:

Sit alone.

Crawl and move.

Pick up tiny objects.

Practice banging and shaking and dropping things.

Go to someone they know when “strangers” are around.

Babble and shriek.

Show understanding of simple commands (wave bye-bye).

Practice getting the

caregiver to come to them and take care of their needs by calling, crying or shrieking and then stopping when held or attended to.

Before the Visit

Caregivers Can:

Allow baby lots of time unencumbered by seats and straps. If they will need to be restrained during the visit, let them be out of car seat, walker or stroller and roll around on the floor or grass or blanket for a while before the visit.

Talk to baby both in “baby talk” and using adult words. Babbling back in the baby’s language promotes language development as long as adults also use real words to communicate to baby.

Be careful not to pressure baby to perform for you or others if he/she is resisting, even though you may want them to practice all the new things they can do to show Mom or Dad at the visit.

During Visits Inmate

Parents Can:

Let baby crawl or sit alone or play “active” games (patty cake, bend and stretch.)

Give baby age appropriate finger foods if allowed. Be very careful with vending machine snacks that can cause choking such as popcorn, peanuts and small candy items.

Be patient – if baby reacts as if you are a stranger, keep close…but don’t push. Baby will probably warm up to you after several visits.

Some babies may have the opposite reaction and cling to you. In this case, saying goodbye can mean that caregivers may have to pull or pry baby away from Mom or Dad. This is painful for everyone.

In most cases, quick goodbyes are best. Never trick baby (or any age child) or sneak away. This will cause the child not to trust you next time.