Families For Life | Simple Ways to Build a Stronger Bond with Your Child

Many assume that the special bond shared between a parent and their child comes naturally. But in today’s fast-paced world, it takes intention to build a meaningful relationship based on deep trust, healthy communication, and genuine connection. Between everyday responsibilities and distractions, it can be easy to miss the moments that matter. In this article, parenting practitioners from Allkin Singapore share two practical strategies you can use to build a stronger relationship with your child from young.

1. Strengthen your sensitivity as a caregiver

In a child’s early years, their sense of emotional security, learning, and resilience is built through strong connections with their caregivers.

Caregiver sensitivity refers to a parent's ability to notice, interpret, and respond appropriately to their child's cues. This includes being emotionally attuned to your child, recognising signs of distress, and offering comfort and support. When parents respond with warmth and consistency, children feel seen, safe, and valued.

Increased caregiver sensitivity enables your child to have:

  • Secure parent-child attachment

  • Positive socioemotional development

  • Enhanced brain and language development

Caregiver sensitivity can be shaped by a parent’s own mental well-being, access to social support, and receiving affirmation for parenting efforts.

2. Deepen relationships using the Flower of Connection

Like flowers that bloom with sunlight, water, and care, children thrive on consistent, loving interactions.

The Flower of Connection is a simple illustration with six practical strategies to help parents build meaningful connections with their children:

1. Apply love languages

  • Identify and use your child’s preferred way of receiving love—whether through words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, acts of service, or quality time.

2. Prioritise family time

  • Engage in shared activities like reading, gardening, or playing games to encourage bonding and communication.

3. Disconnect to connect

  • Create device-free moments to be fully present with your child, especially during key transitions like bedtime or mealtimes.

4. Have 1-on-1 time

  • Set aside daily time to spend with each child individually. Even 10 minutes of focused attention can build trust and emotional closeness.

5. Practice ‘serve and return’

  • Respond to your child’s gestures, words, and interests with supportive back-and-forth interactions. This nurtures brain development and emotional resilience.

6. Repair relationships after conflict

  • Conflicts are natural. What matters is how you reconnect. Make sure to calm down, acknowledge emotions, apologise, and find solutions together.

Discover more parenting techniques and tips!

Allkin Singapore’s Parent Resource Kit (PRK) features 13 practitioner-developed guides packed with parenting must-knows – including safeguarding your child’s mental well-being, supporting their learning needs, and coping with modern challenges such as screen time.

Order your copy for just $20 (inclusive of GST) here. All proceeds will go towards supporting Allkin’s work with vulnerable families in the community!

This article was originally published on Allkin Singapore.