Learning Activities For Your Baby

Books and Babies - For babies from age 6 weeks to 1 year Sharing books is a way to have fun with your baby and to start him on the road to becoming a reader. What You Need Cardboard or cloth books with large, simple pictures of things with which babies are familiar Lift-the-flap, touch- and-feel, or peek-through play books (For suggestions, see Resources for Children,

What to Do?

Read to your baby for short periods several times a day. Bedtime is always a good time, but you can read at other times as well--while you're in the park, on the bus, or even at the breakfast table (without the food!).

As you read, point out things in the pictures. Name them as you point to them. Give your baby sturdy books to look at, touch, and hold. Allow him to peek through the holes or lift the flaps to discover surprises. Babies soon recognize the faces and voices of those who care for them. As you read to your baby, he will begin to connect books with what he loves most--your voice and closeness.

Continue talking with your older child as you did with your baby. Talking helps him to develop language skills and lets him know that what he says is important.

What to Do

The first activities in the list below work well with younger children. As your child grows older, the later activities let him do more. However, keep doing the first ones as long as he enjoys them.

Talk often with your toddler. When feeding, bathing, and dressing him, ask him to name or find different objects or clothing. Point out colors, sizes, and shapes.

Talk with your child as you read together. Point to pictures and name what is in them. When he is ready, ask him to do the same. Ask him about his favorite parts of the story, and answer his questions about events or characters.

Teach your toddler to be a helper by asking him to find things. As you cook, give him pots and pans or measuring spoons to play with. Ask him what he is doing and answer his questions. ??

Whatever you do together, talk about it with your child.

When you eat meals, take walks, go to the store, or visit the library, talk with him. These and other activities give the two of you a chance to ask and answer questions such as, "Which flowers are red? Which are yellow?" "What else do you see in the garden?"Challenge your child by asking questions that need more than a "yes" or "no" answer.

Listen to your child's questions patiently and answer them just as patiently. If you don't know the answer to a question, have him join you as you look for the answer in a book. He will then see how important books are as sources of information.

Have your child tell you a story. Then ask him questions, explaining that you need to understand better.

When he is able, ask him to help you in the kitchen. He might set the table or decorate a batch of cookies. A first- grader may enjoy helping you follow a simple recipe. Talk about what you're fixing, what you're cooking with, what he likes to eat, and more.

Ask yourself if the TV is on too much. If so, turn it off and talk!

Anil Vij is the creator of the ultimate parenting toolbox, which has helped parents all over the world raise smarter, healthier and happier children ==> http://www.expertsonparenting.com

Sign up for Anil's Experts On Parenting Newsletter - just send a blank email ===> mailto: parentingnews@aweber.com

---

14 Steps To Reducing Your Infants Reflux

Many of the things listed below will help with your... Read More

Raising Baby On The Cheap

Have you ever read those reports on the cost of... Read More

Important Car Seat Statistics

Installing a car seat correctly is the most important thing... Read More

Using Baby Signing To Communicate With Your Young Child

Baby Signing..Around 20 years ago, two American doctors discovered baby... Read More

The Best Way To Give Medicine To A Baby

So you carefully fill a spoon with medicine for baby,... Read More

Creating Good Feng Shui in Babys Room

Getting ready for a new baby requires a lot of... Read More

Tantrums - Breaking the Cycle

Tantrums don't suddenly appear. They are learned. Controlling or eliminating... Read More

Baby Yoga and Me

Having carried a sizable bump around for a very long,... Read More

Prepare Your Child For Potty Training

When your child shows a majority of the signs of... Read More

How to Choose a Changing Table

As a prospective parent, you may wonder how hard it... Read More

Unique Baby Bedding - Because Every Baby is Special

All parents want something absolutely unique for their baby. Be... Read More

Potty Training Boys - How To Potty Train Boys - Do You Teach Them to Sit or Stand?

I am asked this question by many parents - they... Read More

Baby Shower Favors to Spice up Your Baby Shower

Baby Shower Favors should be at every baby shower for... Read More

Honor Grandma with a Baby Shower for Grandma

Throwing a baby shower for grandma could be a great... Read More

The Personality Traits of A Baby Born During The Sign Of Cancer

Your Cancer Baby..June 21 - July 22A Cancer child can... Read More

Baby Safety & the Family Dog

I recall how wonderful the baby swing in particular, was... Read More

Heres What to Expect at a Baby Shower

A baby shower is a great way to welcome a... Read More

Movement and Infants

Besides the fact that they were built to do so,... Read More

Solving Baby Sleep Problems - Its Time to Sleep

If you're a parent with a young child then here's... Read More

Aargh those Pesky Sleep Problems!

It's 2am and your baby is up for the third... Read More

Sharing Baby Photos Online with Birth Announcements & Baby Photo Album Services

Congratulations! You're a new parent and you've brought your precious,... Read More

Baby Crib Safety - Frequently Asked Questions

The crib is where your baby will spend a lot... Read More

Baby Car Seat Glossary Guide

To the uninitiated parent, buying a car seat for your... Read More

The Colic Baby

When a baby has colic, the family environment is stressful... Read More

Important Safety and Styling Features of Baby Cribs

Baby Cribs are the feature item in any baby's nursery.... Read More

When Your Wee One Goes Wee Wee Well

After reading several books about potty training (my son was... Read More

How to Choose a Baby Bathtub

Choosing a baby bathtub is likely one of the easiest... Read More

On the Road Again

Just like Willy Nelson, I could not wait to get... Read More

Infantile Cradle Cap - Symptoms and Treatments

What is cradle cap?What is the cause?No one really knows... Read More

How Much TV Is Too Much For Your Toddler

At least one third of households have their TV turned... Read More

Does Your Baby Necessarily Need Shoes?

When you came up with such question, what will be... Read More

Better Health and Happiness for Your Baby

The design of your home has an amazing affect on... Read More

Baby Shower Games to Make Your Baby Shower Exciting

The perfect way to spoil the baby shower games is... Read More