When the Treffert Center opened in 2016, Dr. Darold Treffert wrote: "We have surrounded ourselves with a staff that truly loves kids and loves helping them."
At the SSM Health Treffert Academy, we recognize the importance of staff to create one-on-one connections with all children. There are many ways that staff achieve those connections but one main area of focus is “I Love You Rituals” from Dr. Becky A. Bailey’s book of the same name. "I Love You Rituals" are one-on-one interactions between staff and children that help create bonds and build trust.
Although they don’t need to be, many of our rituals are unique for each child and are in the form of songs, rhymes, games, or sayings. Important aspects of these rituals are eye contact and touch (hand holding, hugs, tickling, finger counting, arm/leg wiggling like spaghetti noodles, etc.). These rituals not only make the children feel safe, special, and important to their teacher, but they are also a great way to enhance a child’s social/emotional development. If a child receives love, they will want to give love.
Below is a story from one of our teachers about incorporating these rituals into both her home and infant classroom:
"When I first started working in the infant room, I noticed the ‘I Love You Rituals’ posters on the wall. I was uncertain about trying them since I wasn’t sure how the words or actions went. I thought it was something that needed to be done correctly to make a difference. I decided to start out by practicing the rituals on my grandchildren. I usually couldn’t remember the words or actions, so I made up my own. The grandkids loved doing these with me so much that every time I would see them, they would ask me to do them. After practicing on them, I decided to give it a try in the infant room at the Treffert Academy. I decided to pick the one that I thought would be the easiest which was ‘Round and Round the Garden’. The infants took to it and would point to the poster when they wanted to do it again."
"It was an amazing experience to see eyes light up and for the little ones to get in a line with their peers to take their turn. The eye contact I received during the rituals absolutely melted my heart and now I enjoy doing them any chance I get. We now see the infants do the ‘I Love You Rituals’ with each other and on the baby dolls that we have in the room. Whether it is one of the posted ones or one that I make up, the eye contact and smile make it worth it. For me, the best time to do them is when I am changing diapers. It helps keeps the child engaged during the diaper change and helps capitalize on the one-on-one time. After they’re changed, I like to take the time to do a couple more rituals to build a deeper connection with them. This is a playful time."
We celebrate a love for children at the SSM Health Treffert Center every day. And we are reminded of and encouraged by the words of Dr. Treffert: "Keep doing what you are doing, including your love, because love is a good therapist, too."
