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!