STONE AGE PARENTING for young children

What are the characteristics of early life experience for our ancestors in small-band hunter gatherer communities?

1. Natural childbirth (no interference with timing; no separation of mother and child; baby on mother's belly after birth)

2. Breastfeeding on demand, 2-5 years (average weaning at 4 years)

3. Nearly constant touch in the first years of life, including co-sleeping

4. Prompt response to the needs of the child (so that the baby does not cry)

5. Extensive maternal support for raising the child including multiple adult responsive caregivers that share the care of the child

6. Free play in nature with multiple-aged playmates

7. Adults enjoy caring for children and encouraging good feelings in the child

8. Little coercion of children's behavior

Sources for this information include:

Hunter-Gatherer Childhoods, edited by Barry Hewlett and Michael Lamb

The Evolution of Childhood, by Melvin Konner