Before administering the NIH Baby Toolbox, it is important to understand how to interact with both young children and their caregivers. While not exhaustive, these best practices were performed during our norming
administration. Examiners should watch the training video “Interacting with Participants”.
Examiners should prioritize creating a safe, comfortable, and engaging environment. It's important
to use simple language, maintain a gentle tone, and get down to the child's eye level to foster trust and
connection. Play-based activities can be particularly effective, especially when “warming up” before
administering any test, as they align with the child's natural way of exploring their world. The
administrator should be patient, observant, and responsive to the child's cues, ensuring that the
interaction is positive and stress-free. Building rapport with the child can lead to more accurate and
meaningful observations.
When interacting with the children’s caregivers, administrators should approach them with empathy
and respect. Administrators should remind caregivers nicely but firmly that the NIH Baby Toolbox is
interested in the child's behavior, so they should not interfere or help. It's also helpful to explain that the
measures are administered to children across many ages and there is often a variety of responses.
Gently remind caregivers not to interact unless asked but also let them know that their help may be
needed if the child is uncooperative or misbehaving.