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Tips to Boost Baby and Toddler Brain Development
Special to The Truth
While formal education may
not begin until age five, those years preceding classroom
learning are crucial to brain development. You can get your
child started on the right path early on by encouraging
learning whenever possible.
Sing a Song
Simple songs can be a fun
and helpful way to reinforce basic concepts like numbers,
letters and animals. Sing with your little one in the car,
or when you have free time at home. Great choices include
“Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,” “The Alphabet Song,” and
“The Wheels on the Bus.”
Stock your home with
simple instruments like kazoos, tambourines, and mini
keyboards built for little fingers to encourage impromptu
solos. Also, consider enrolling your child in music classes,
which can be a great way to lay the foundation for music
instruction later in life.
Colorful Books
“Books for young children
should also be learning tools that help build vocabulary and
language skills,” says Sophie Mitchell, preschool publisher
at DK Publishing.
For newborns, Mitchell
recommends books that feature bright, bold colors and vivid
patterns that are easy to hold, for sharing between baby and
parent.
“Babies love to hear the
sound of their parent’s voices, so read enthusiastically to
your child,” she says. Mitchell also recommends that parents
choose books that are filled with the things babies find
fascinating, such as images of others babies, toddlers,
animals and vehicles.
Toddlers love pointing out
things they know and saying the words out loud. They
appreciate book content that features images of their real
world. Surprise elements like flaps, sounds, pull tabs and
textures can provoke curiosity and engage reluctant readers.
“Preschool-aged children
need clear, appealing subjects which capture their
preoccupations and passions,” adds Mitchell.
For this age group memory
is a very important reading skill to develop, so parents
should look for titles that include fun, repetitive text.
Clear word labels can help young children make associations
between images and words.
For an early learning
library, consider introducing your tykes to the “My First”
board book series. First published in 1989, these iconic
little books have now been reimagined for a new generation.
With titles like “My First Animals,” “My First Colors,” and
“My First Words,” they are packed with bright, colorful
photographs and large easy-to-read text to captivate budding
readers. More information about the series can be found at www.Dk.com.
Be Active
Babies, toddlers and
preschoolers need lots of mental stimulation for brain
development. Rather than simply sitting them in front of the
television, take little trips that can foster questions and
observations. Whether that be the playground, the zoo or
even a run-of-the-mill trip to the grocery store, these
experiences are crucial for early learning. Talk to your
child throughout the trip, pointing out things you see. When
you get home, you can reinforce the real-world concepts with
learning books.
Don’t wait until
kindergarten to get the ball started on education.
By simply reading out loud
and encouraging everyday play, you can help develop key
learning skills in your child.
Courtesy StatePoint
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