It’s easy to forget when caught up in adult life how simple and powerful are the needs of little people. Our almost six-month-old grandson has been in our care several times now and re-entering his world is highly instructive for mine. 

For one thing, I always have questions. Chief among them are ones about his physical needs: is he hungry? is he sleepy? But a close second are questions about his psychological needs: does he feel safe? is he being stimulated? 

Some of these are questions without answers, but it’s important to ask them. For babies … and for grownups, too.