Active, attentive watching of a child, especially around water, heights, and hazards. Supervision doesn't mean scrolling your phone while your kid plays near the pool. It means eyes-on, within arm's reach when needed, and knowing what to watch for at each developmental stage.
Related Terms
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for kids under 5, and it can happen in as little as an inch of water. Constant adult supervision near any water source is non-negotiable. Pool fences, toilet locks, and draining buckets and tubs immediately after use all help.
Steps taken to keep babies and toddlers from falling off furniture, down stairs, or out of windows. Baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs, window guards above the first floor, and never leaving a baby unattended on a changing table are the big ones.
A device that lets you see and hear your baby from another room. Modern monitors include video, Wi-Fi streaming, temperature sensors, and even breathing tracking. They're a supervision aid, not a substitute for checking on your baby in person.