During this season of giving, the very best gifts we can give our children are not so much material gifts. These are gifts that require time and realizing our small children are not too young to ignore. Those gifts are joy, love and peace.

What is joy in the heart of a young child? Joy is an inward happiness that comes when a child senses a bonding and security with their parents/caregivers. Reach out to your child. In our world today we spend too much time on-the-run. In reaching your young child, from parent to child, it is more important to spend free time with them rather than heading off to too many structured activities. Activities are fine — don’t get me wrong — but just not too many. Free play is important for young children; it is their work where they express themselves and it truly brings them joy. Play is developmentally essential.

An optimistic spirit is contagious and it brings joy. Life is not going to be a bowl of cherries but it is how we handle the circumstances of life that counts. Teaching children early in life how to live life — no matter how rough the rough gets going — is a valuable lesson not only for a child but an adult. Have you noticed that young children love to be around happy people? Even an infant will smile and giggle around happy people who extend their attention to them.

Love is extended to a young child when we truly realize each child is very unique! Your unconditional love toward your child is planted into their hearts when you heartfelt accept them for how they are made and who they are. This is accomplished by praising and encouraging your child. Meeting the strengths of your child’s gifts, talents and enabling them to be all they can be takes spending time with your young child. Hugs and verbal praise are important for a young child to feel and hear when they have done a good job and really tried. Developmental challenges such as weaning from the bottle, potty training and walking deserve a lot of consistent and verbal praise. Love is in the little things!

Peace for your child is being confident, comfortable and secure in their hearts and minds in who they are. When children are at peace they learn better and interact better with family and friends.

Beth Pinyerd lives in Daphne and serves as director of younger children at Faith Family Fellowship in Spanish Fort.

Her column appears regularly in The Bulletin.