How to Have a Smarter Baby

YOUR NEW BABY

Congratulations! You have had your baby. Now that you are accustomed to the feeding and sleeping schedules of your brand new infant you may be thinking, what are some ways I can foster early development in my child? There are many toys on the market that declare that by using their special, expensive toys will result in your baby being a smarter baby. The good news is you do not have to purchase these items to have a smart baby. The very best things you as a parent can do to promote early childhood development and have a smart baby are talking, reading, singing, and simply playing with your child!


READING

It‘s true. Reading aloud is one of the simplest ways to connect with your baby, and it’s free. It brings to two things your baby loves the most together, your voice and you. While you are reading to them they feel safe and loved, and you are teaching your baby communication, building listening, memory, and vocabulary skills. You are introducing your baby to concepts such as shapes, colors, numbers and letters, along with giving them information about the big new world around them. By the time your baby reaches their first birthday they will have learned all the sounds needed to speak whatever their native language! Babies who parents frequently talk and read to their baby know more words by the age of two than children who have not been read to.


TALKING

Another way to enrich your baby's language and speech development is to simply talk to them. When you change your baby’s diaper talk about what you are doing, count toes and fingers. Point out body parts. As you continue your daily routine continue to talk with your baby, about the colors in the room, what you are doing, what it is like outside and play peek-a-boo. There are endless ways to converse with your infant. Yes it’s true, they won’t understand everything you say but your baby will express their delight with you by cooing. Their eyes will light up and they will move their hands and feet in excitement. While all this is happening millions of important, unseen connections are forming in their brains to use when needed throughout their lives. Imagine that, and it did not cost you a penny!


SINGING

Yes, singing! Can’t carry a tune in a bucket? Good news parents. Baby does not care what you sound like or what song you are singing. You can sing comforting songs to baby when trying to get them to go to sleep. During playtime nursery rhymes and finger plays are fun ways to continue language and speech development. Songs can help your baby learn motions. Try “If You’re Happy and You Know It”. Help your baby in clapping his or her hands together. Before long your baby will be clapping both hands and singing along! If you need a nursery rhyme refresher go to your local library. The Children's Librarian will have lots of suggestions on books that have Nursery rhymes and finger plays.

As you can see, these no cost, fun ways to interact with your child can bring both of you an exceptional bonding experiance and many fond memories. Why not start trying them today!