Learning Activities For Your Baby
Books and Babies - For babies from age 6 weeks to 1 yearSharing books is a way to have fun with your baby and tostart him on the road to becoming a reader. What You NeedCardboard or cloth books with large, simple pictures ofthings with which babies are familiar Lift-the-flap, touch-and-feel, or peek-through play books (For suggestions, seeResources 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 othertimes as well--while you're in the park, on the bus, or evenat the breakfast table (without the food!).
As you read, point out things in the pictures. Name them asyou point to them. Give your baby sturdy books to look at,touch, and hold. Allow him to peek through the holes or liftthe flaps to discover surprises. Babies soon recognize thefaces and voices of those who care for them. As you read toyour baby, he will begin to connect books with what he lovesmost--your voice and closeness.
Continue talking with your older child as you did with yourbaby. Talking helps him to develop language skills and letshim know that what he says is important.
What to Do
The first activities in the list below work well withyounger children. As your child grows older, the lateractivities let him do more. However, keep doing the firstones as long as he enjoys them.
Talk often with your toddler. When feeding, bathing, anddressing him, ask him to name or find different objects orclothing. Point out colors, sizes, and shapes.
Talk with your child as you read together. Point to picturesand name what is in them. When he is ready, ask him to dothe same. Ask him about his favorite parts of the story, andanswer his questions about events or characters.
Teach your toddler to be a helper by asking him to findthings. As you cook, give him pots and pans or measuringspoons to play with. Ask him what he is doing and answer hisquestions. ??
Whatever you do together, talk about it with your child.
When you eat meals, take walks, go to the store, or visitthe library, talk with him. These and other activities givethe two of you a chance to ask and answer questions such as,"Which flowers are red? Which are yellow?" "What else do yousee in the garden?"Challenge your child by asking questionsthat need more than a "yes" or "no" answer.
Listen to your child's questions patiently and answer themjust as patiently. If you don't know the answer to aquestion, have him join you as you look for the answer in abook. He will then see how important books are as sources ofinformation.
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. Hemight set the table or decorate a batch of cookies. A first-grader may enjoy helping you follow a simple recipe. Talkabout what you're fixing, what you're cooking with, what helikes to eat, and more.
Ask yourself if the TV is on too much. If so, turn it offand talk!