125 brain games - xn--webducation-dbb.com

125BrainGamesforBabies:

SimpleGamestoPromoteEarlyBrainDevelopment,

Revised

byJackieSilbergwithcontributionsfrom

KeithPentzIllustratedbyKathiDery

AlsobyJackieSilberg:125BrainGamesforToddlersandTwos:SimpleGamestoPromoteEarlyBrainDevelopment,Revised300ThreeMinuteGames:QuickandEasyActivitiesfor2–5YearOlds500FiveMinuteGames:QuickandEasyActivitiesfor3–6YearOldsAllAboutMeBabySmarts:GamesforPlayingandLearningBrainGamesforBabies,Toddlers,andTwos:140FunWaystoBoostDevelopmentTheCompleteBookofActivities,Games,Stories,Props,Recipes,andDancesforYoungChildren:Over600Selections,withPamSchillerTheCompleteBookofRhymes,Songs,Poems,Fingerplays,andChants:Over700Selections,withPamSchillerGamestoPlaywithBabies,3rdEditionGamestoPlaywithToddlers,RevisedGamestoPlaywithTwo-Year-Olds,RevisedGoAnywhereGamesforBabiesHelloRhythm:RhythmActivities,Songs,andGamestoDevelopSkillsHelloSound:CreativeMusicActivitiesforParentsandTeachersofYoungChildrenHigglety,Pigglety,Pop!233PlayfulRhymesandChantsTheICan’tSingBook:ForGrownupsWhoCan’tCarryaTuneinaPaperBag…ButWanttoDoMusicwithYoungChildrenILiveinKansasILoveChildrenSongbookLearningGames:ExploringtheSensesThroughPlayTheLearningPowerofLaughterLet’sBeFriendsLollipopsandSpaghettiActivityBook:DevelopmentalActivitiesMyToesAreStartingtoWiggleandOtherEasySongsforCircleTimePeanutButter,Tarzan,andRoostersActivityBookReadingGamesSingYeladimSniggles,Squirrels,andChickenpox:40OriginalSongswithActivitiesforEarlyChildhoodSongstoSingwithBabies

©2012JackieSilberg

PublishedbyGryphonHouse,Inc.POBox10,Lewisville,NC27023800.638.0928;877.638.7576(fax)

Visitusonthewebatwww.gryphonhouse.com.

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Theauthorofthisbook,JackieSilberg,isanacclaimedspeaker,teacher,andtraineronearlychildhooddevelopmentandmusic.Youcanarrangetohaveherspeak,present,train,orentertainbycontactingherthroughGryphonHouse,POBox10,Lewisville,NC27023,800.638.0928,[email protected].

CoverphotographcourtesyofiStockphoto

IllustrationsbyKathiDery

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataSilberg,Jackie,1934–125braingamesforbabies/JackieSilberg.--2nded.p.cm.ISBN978-0-87659-440-71.Abilityininfants.2.Abilityinchildren.3.Intellect–Problems,exercises,etc.4.Learning,Psychologyof–Problems,exercises,etc.5.Infantpsychology.6.Childpsychology.I.Title.

BF720.A24S572012649′.122–dc232011049681

BulkPurchaseGryphonHousebooksareavailableforspecialpremiumsandsalespromotionsaswellasforfund-raisinguse.Specialeditionsorbookexcerptsalsocanbecreatedtospecifications.Fordetails,contacttheDirectorofMarketingatGryphonHouse.

DisclaimerGryphonHouse,Inc.cannotbeheldresponsiblefordamage,mishap,orinjuryincurredduringtheuseoforbecauseofactivitiesinthisbook.Appropriateandreasonablecautionandadultsupervisionofchildreninvolvedinactivitiesandcorrespondingtotheageandcapabilityofeachchildinvolvedisrecommendedatalltimes.Donotleavechildrenunattendedatanytime.Observesafetyandcautionatalltimes.

TableofContents

IntroductionBirthto3MonthsNewbornGamesHeartbeatSounds!FallinginLoveBabyTalkTheBlowingGameHere’sMyFingerHelloWhereDidItGo?FollowtheActionTheHatGameSensoryExperiencesShadowsDaydreamBelieverBicycleBendThoseKneesWorkingOutTogetherMouthSoundsDiaperSongsWeAretheWorldADiaperGameCrisscrossRoll,RollSoothingSmellsDevelopingTouchUpDownAllAroundWhat’sYourName?ConnectingNeuronsRepeatingSoundsTummyTime

3to6Months

LookWhatISeeWhoIsThatBaby?SockMagicLet’sWatchGiggleBoxWhere’sMyBaby?UppityUppityUpICanMakeMusicBabyBounceGoingUptheEscalatorTalkingTogetherConnectwithConversationBaBaBaby-ORollOlympicsPop!GoestheWeaselLet’sBounceILovetheMusicChoo-ChooTrainSwingingWigglesandScootsPushtheBabyMovingTargetChangingHandsWhere’stheToy?NurturingCuriosityTheScarfGameCommunicatingwithYourBabyOneThingataTimeLearningWordsReachingOutTheWondersofMusic

6to9Months

MirrorGamesSoundsEverywhereLiveinConcertWhatDidYouSay?RumTumTum

ShakeIt,Baby!One,TwoTommyThumbI’veGotPowerRollingAlongPuppetPeekabooIKnowYou’reThere—SomewhereAhh-Boom!Surprise!Surprise!PeekabooFunPeekabooMusicTheBigSqueezeTouchingTexturesAnotherPopGameSingandSayAbracadabraAGoodnightRhymeLoveThoseKeys!WavingListeningFunReadingTipsLet’sClimbTheSigningGameUpsidoodleRockandSingReadItAgain!NosetoNoseConversationalSigning

9to12MonthsOutsideExploringSeekandYeShallFindWhereIs_________?ITouchQuitePuzzlingThisIsBillWashtheToyAllThingsNewAgainOne,Two,Three,KickRollingSillyAnticsFunwithStackingToysHumptyDumpty‘Roundand‘RoundCopyMeLet’sPullFastandSlowRhythmsMouthSongsNewZooRevueI’maBigKidNowChangesTheTeethRhymeJackintheBoxBurstingBubblesAStrollerGameDiscoveringBooksGroceryShoppingMaryMackWhereIsTeddy?Yes,ICanSinkorFloatGameLookOut,HereComes—!ReferencesandResourcesIndex

Introduction

Yourbeautiful,preciousnewbornishere!Sofragile,soinnocent,andsosweet—whatcanyoudotohelpyourbabygrowanddevelop?Whendoyoutalktohim,rockhim,andsingtohim?Theansweriseveryday!Whenwillshebeabletounderstandwhatyouaresaying?Whenwillsherecognizewhoyouare?Theanswerisnow!

Everytimeyoutalkto,rock,singto,andtouchyourbaby,youarehelpinghisbraindevelop.Theneuronsinyourbaby’sbrainareconnectingandbecomingpathways.

Therearemanythingsthatanewbornbabycanalreadydo:

Focusonfacesthatarewithineightinchesofherface;Recognizeyourvoiceandturnhisheadtowardthesoundofyourvoice;Respondtobeingtouched;Suck;

Yawn,sneeze,andhiccup;Graspthingsthatareplacedinherhands;andCommunicatewithcrying.

Bythetimeachildisthreeyearsold,thebrainhasformedonethousandtrillionconnections—abouttwiceasmanyasadultshave.Somebraincells,calledneurons,arehardwiredtoothercellsbeforebirth.Theycontrolthebaby’sheartbeat,breathing,andreflexesandregulateotherfunctionsessentialtosurvival.Therestofthebrainconnectionsarewaitingtobe“hookedup.”Theconnectionsthatneuronsmakewithotherneuronsarecalledsynapses.Onesinglebraincellcanbeconnectedtomorethantenthousandothercells.Whilepartsofthebraindevelopatdifferentrates,studyafterstudyhasshownthatthepeakproductionperiodforsynapsesisfrombirthtoaboutage10.Duringthistime,thebrain’sweighttriplestonearlyadultsize.Scientistsbelievethestimulationthatbabiesandyoungchildrenreceivedetermineswhichconnectionsforminthebrain.

HowDoestheBrainKnowWhichConnectionstoKeep?

Thisiswhereearlyexperiencecomesintoplay.Throughrepetition,brainconnectionsbecomepermanent.Conversely,aconnectionthatisnotusedatall,oroftenenough,isunlikelytosurvive.Forexample,achildwhoisrarelyspokentoorreadtointheearlyyearsmayhavedifficultymasteringlanguageskillslateron.Or,achildwhoisrarelyplayedwithmayhavedifficultywithsocialadjustmentasshegrows.Achild’sbrainthrivesonfeedbackfromhisenvironment.Thebrainwiresitselfintoathinkingandemotionalorganthatisformedbywhatthechildexperiences.Chancesareachildwhohasalanguage-richenvironmentwilllearntospeakverywell.Ababywhosecoosaremetwithsmilesratherthanapathywilllikelybecomeemotionallyresponsive.

Thecarethataninfantreceiveswillhavedefinitiveandlong-lastingeffectsonhowhewilldevelopandlearn,copewithstress,andmanagehisemotions.Babiesthrivewhentheyreceivewarm,responsiveearlycare.

Scientistscontinuetolearnmoreeachyearabouthowthehumanbrainworks!Weknowthatearlychildhoodexperiencesprofoundlyshapebabies’brains.Researchalsosupportsthelong-heldbeliefsthatanindividual’scapacitytolearnandthriveinavarietyofsettingsdependsontheinterplaybetweennature(hergeneticendowment)andnurture(thekindofcare,stimulation,andteachingshereceives),andthatthehumanbrainisuniquelyconstructedtobenefitfromexperienceandfromgoodteaching,particularlyduringthefirstyearsoflife.

Theverybestwaytodevelopbabies’brainconnectionsistogivebabieswhattheyneed,whichisanenvironmentthatisinterestingtoexplore,thatissafe,andthatisfilledwithpeoplewhowillrespondtotheiremotionalandintellectualneedsbysingingtothem,huggingthem,talkingtothem,andreadingtothem.Alltheseinteractionsdevelopthebrain’spotentialforfuturelearning.

Allthegamesinthisbookdevelopbabies’braincapacity.Theyarethebuildingblocksoffuturelearning—agood,solidbeginningforbabies.Andtheyarefun,too!

Revisingthisbookhasbeenaneye-openingexperienceformeasIlearnedallthenewbrainresearch.Thereareseveralnewbooksmentionedinthebibliographythatprovidethelatestinformation.

I’mforevergratefulfortheopportunitytolearnaboutourpreciouslittleonesandhowtheirbrainsgrow.I’vealwaysbelievedthatbabieswhoare10daysoldarejustasintelligentascollegegraduates.Theyjustdon’thavetheabilitytoexpressthemselvesyetandlackexperiencestobuildon.Playthegamesinthisbookwithyourbaby,andIbetyouwillagreewithme!

Birthto3Months

NewbornGames

Newbornsrecognizethevoicesoftheirparents.Ifyoupattedyourtummyandtalkedtoyourbabywhileshewasinthewomb,shewillknowthesoundofyourvoice.Whileyourinfantisonherback,walktoonesideandsoftlycallouthername.Keepsayinghernameuntilshemoveshereyesorherheadtowardthesoundofyourvoice.Walktoherotherside,andsayhernameagain.Gentlymassageherbodyasyousmileintohereyesandsayhername.

Whatbrainresearchsays

Themoregentlestimulationyougiveaninfant,thegreaterthenumberofbrainsynapsesthatareformed.

HeartbeatSounds!

Holdyourbabyagainstyourchestsohecanhearandfeelyourheartbeat.Payattentiontoyourownbreathingandthebreathingofyourbaby.Letyourbabyexperiencethefeelingofskin-to-skincontactandthenaturalrhythmsofyourbody.


Whileinutero,babieshearandinternalizetherhythmicpatternstheyhear.Yourbabywillfeelcomfortedandsoothedbythenatural,rhythmicsoundsofyourbreathingandheartbeat.

FallinginLove

Makeeyecontactandbodycontactwithyourbabyaslongassheseemstoenjoyanddesireit.Holdyourbabyinyourarms,androckherbackandforth.Sayyourbaby’snameand“Iloveyou.”Makesureyourbabyexperiencesmanymomentsofbeingheld,talkedto,comforted,andsoothed.


Nurturingandlovingyourbabyfromthemomentofbirthhelpsestablishheremotionalwell-beingandherresponsestolaterlifeexperiences.

BabyTalk

Whenyouspeak“parentese”(talkinginahigh-pitchedvoice)toinfants,youarecommunicatingwiththemandencouragingtheirvocalresponses.Thiswayoftalkingtobabiesdevelopstheirlanguageskills.Saythingssuchas,“You’resuchasweetbaby”or“Lookatthose10littletoes”inparentese.Asyouspeak,holdyourbabyclosetoyourface,andlookdirectlyintohiseyes.Sing,laugh,andmakefunnynoises,too,toattractyourbaby’sattention.


Babiesrespondto“parentese”—thehigh-pitchedvoiceadultsusewhentalkingtobabies.Inaddition,infants’braincircuitsforhearingbenefitwhentheyhearavarietyoftones,pitches,andsounds.

TheBlowingGame

Thisgamehelpsaninfantbecomeawareofthedifferentpartsofherbody.Blowgentlyonyourbaby’spalms.Asyoublow,saythefollowingwordsinasingsongchant:

Herearethebaby’spalms.

Kissyourbaby’spalms.Blowonotherpartsofherbody,andthennamethosepartsofherbodyinthechant.Mostbabieslikegentleblowingontheirelbows,fingers,necks,cheeks,andtoes.


Experiencesusingthefivesenseshelpbuildtheconnectionsthatguidebraindevelopment.Earlyexperienceshaveadecisiveimpactontheactualarchitectureofthebrain.

Here’sMyFinger

Thisgamestrengthensababy’shandsandfingers.Holdyourinfantinyourlap,facingyou.Holdyourindexfingerinfrontofyourbaby’sface.Heprobablywillgraspyourfinger,asthisisanaturalreflexwithnewborns.Eachtimehegraspsyourfinger,saypositivewordssuchas,“That’smywonderfulboy!”or“You’resostrong!”Thisgamealsodevelopstrackingskills.


Thesimpleactofreachingforanobjecthelpsthebraindevelopeye-handcoordination.

Hello

Whenyourbabyseesyourface,shewillbecontent.Saythefollowingpoemwithyourfaceabouteighttotwelveinchesfromyourbaby’sface:

Hello,hello,Iloveyouverymuch.Hello,hello,myfingerstheycantouch.Hello,hello,I’lltouchyourlittlenose.(Touchbaby’snose.)Hello,hello,I’llkissyourlittlenose.(Kissbaby’snose.)Repeatthispoemandchangethelasttwolinestodifferentpartsofyourbaby’sface—ears,eyes,cheeks,lips.


Atbirth,babiesseebestifobjectsarebetweeneightandtwelveinchesfromtheireyes.

WhereDidItGo?

Holdabrightlycoloredscarfinfrontofyourbaby.Slowlymovethescarfaround,andtalkabouthowbrightitis.Whenyouaresurethatyourbabyislookingatthescarf,slowlymoveittooneside.Keepmovingthescarfbackandforthtoencourageyourbabytofollowitwithhiseyesoreventuallytotryreachingforandgraspingthescarf.Note:Aswithanygame,watchforsignsthatyourbabymaybetiredofthegameandreadytorestorplaysomethingdifferent.Someofthesignsareyawning,notbeinginterestedinthegame,crying,andrestlessness.


Neuronsforvisionbeginformingduringthefirstfewmonthsoflife.Activitiesthatstimulatebabies’sightwillensuregoodvisualdevelopment.

FollowtheAction

Babieslovetolookatfaces,especiallyfacesofpeopletheylove.Trydifferentfacialexpressionsandsoundstodevelopyourbaby’svisionandhearing.Herearesomeideas:Singasong,andusebigmovementswithyourmouth.

Blinkyoureyes.Stickoutyourtongue.Makecontortionswithyourmouth.Makesoundswithyourlipssuchassmackingyourlips.Coughoryawn.


Bytwomonths,babiescandistinguishfeaturesonaface.Asyourbaby’sbraingrows,thiskindofgamewillhelpdevelophersenseofhumor.

TheHatGame

Yourfaceisoneofthefirstthingsyourbabyrecognizes.Tryplayingthishatgamewithyourinfant.Whenherecognizesyourface,youwillbestimulatinghisvision.Selectdifferenthatstoputonyourhead.Asyouputonthedifferenthats,saythefollowing:

Hats,hats,hats,hats;(Slowlyshakeyourheadbackandforth.)(Mommy,Daddy,nameofperson)hasahat.(sameperson)loves(nameofbaby)Whenhewearshishat.

Ifyoudon’thavemanyhats,putascarforribbononyourhead.


Aone-month-oldbabycanseeasfarawayasthreefeetandisveryinterestedintheenvironment.

SensoryExperiences

Exposingyourbabytomanydifferentsensationswillbroadenherawarenessofherselfandtheworld.Trygentlyrubbingyourbaby’sarmswithdifferentfabrics.Satin,silk,wool,andterryclotharegoodfabricstostartwith.Giveyourbabyanopportunitytoexperiencedifferentsmells.Gooutsideandsmellaflower,orenjoythesmellofafreshlycutorange.Talktoyourbabyaboutthevarioussights,sounds,smells,andtexturesaroundher.


Whatbabiesseeandsmellcreatebrainconnections.Theexternalsenses—vision,hearing,smell,andtouch—driveemotionalresponses,which,inturn,eventuallywillhaveanimpactonlearning.

Shadows

Infantswakeupmanytimesduringthenight.Shadowscastonthewallbyanightlightmakeinterestingshapesandformsforyourbabytolookat.Ifyoucanarrangeamobilesothatitcastsshadows,youwillbehelpingyourbaby’svisualdevelopment.Whenyourchildgetsalittleolder,makeshadowdesignswithyourhandsforyourbabytowatch.


Theneuronsforvisionbeginformingduringthefirstfewmonthsoflife.Stimulatingyourbaby’svisionwillhelpmakevisualconnectionsinthebrain.

DaydreamBeliever

Sometimesbabiesneedalittledowntime.Ifyourbabyisawakeandalert,sometimesit’sgoodtoletyourbabyjust“daydream.”Giveyourbabyopportunitiesforquietpersonaltimetotakeinandabsorbeverythingthatisgoingoninhisenvironment.Timesofbeingentertainedandtimesofstimulatingbaby’ssensesneedtobealternatedwithperiodsofquiet.


Althoughababy’sbrainrequireslotsofstimulationtocreatelearningandmemorypathwaysandconnections,thebrainalsorequiresperiodsofrestinordertoconsolidatetheseconnections.

Bicycle

Putyourbabyonherback,andmovethebaby’slegslikesheisridingabicycle.Note:Neverforceyourbaby’slegs.Ifyourbabyresists,trysomethingelse.Trymakingupasimplesong.Here’sanideathatcanbesungtothetuneof“Row,Row,RowYourBoat”:

Ride,ride,rideyourbikeUpanddownthestreet.Happily,happily,happily,happily,Thisissuchatreat.

Watchforyourbaby’sreactions,andmimichercoos,gurgles,andsmiles.


Aninfant’sbrainthrivesonfeedbackfromtheenvironmentand“wires”itselfintoathinkingandemotionalorganbasedonherearlyexperiences.

BendThoseKnees

Placeyourbabyonhisback,andcarefullypullbothlegsuntiltheyarestraight.Whenhislegsarestraight,tapthebottomsofhisfeetlightly.Hewillpointhistoesdownwardandbendhisknees.Asyoudothisgame,singthefollowingtothetuneof“Ring-around-the-Rosy”:

Bending,bending,bendingLittlekneesarebendingBending,bendingHiphooray!

Endtherhymewithsomekindofacheer.Yourbabywilllearntoanticipateit,anditmakesthegamemoreexciting.


Physicalmovementstimulatesnotonlymuscleandbonedevelopmentbutalsobraingrowthanddevelopment.Researchdemonstratesthatphysicalactivitystimulatesthebraintodevelopconnectionsandpathwaysbetweenneurons.Activeneurologicalpathwaysarecriticaltointellectualandcognitivegrowth.

WorkingOutTogether

Whileyourbabyisonherback,faceyourbabyandgraspthetopcornersoftheblanketandcarefullypullyourbabyuptowardyou—andthenlowerherbackdown.Makesureyouareholdingtheblanketsecurelyandyourbaby’sheadandbodyaresupported.Gentlymoveotherpartsofyourbaby’sbodyintimetomusicorasongthatyousing.


Physicalactivityandmovementhelpstimulatebraingrowthandhelpneuronsmakeconnectionsforlearning.Regularexerciseandparticipationinallformsofphysicalactivityarecriticalforbabies’healthybraindevelopment.

MouthSounds

Holdyourbabyinyourarms.Lookintohiseyes,andstickoutyourtongue.Whileitisstickingout,makesillynoises.Putyourtonguebackinyourmouth.Repeattheabove,andmakeadifferentsound.Forexample,thistimesoftlysmackyourlips.Veryyoungbabieswilloftentrytostickouttheirtonguesandmimicwhattheyobserveandhear.


Talkingtoyourbabystarts“wiring”theneuronsfromhisearstoconnectwiththeauditorypartofhisbrain.Babiesalsoidentifywithfacialexpressionsandmouthsounds.Mimickingorcopyingyoursoundsandexpressionsisthebeginningstageoftheartofconversation.

DiaperSongs

Singingtoyourbabywhileyouchangehisdiaperisalovelywaytocommunicateandbondwithhim.Smilewhileyouaresinging.Singanysongyouknow,orsingthefollowingtothetuneof“LondonBridgeIsFallingDown”:

Changeadiaper,justlikethisJustlikethis,Justlikethis.Changeadiaper,justlikethis.Clean,clean,baby.


Someofthefirstcircuitsthatthebrainbuildsarethosethatgovernemotions.Providinglovingcarewillgiveyourbaby’sbraintherightkindofemotionalstimulation.

WeAretheWorld

Talktoyourbabyabouteverything.Ifyouknowmorethanonelanguage,speakbothlanguagestoyourbaby.Ifyouhaverelativesorknowsomeoneelsewhospeaksanotherlanguage,encouragethosepersonstospeaktoyourbabyinthatsecondlanguage.Speakingtoyourbabycanbedonewithsongs,rhymes,books,orjustgoingoverroutinetasks.


Infantsareborn“citizensoftheworld”withregardtolanguage.Newbornscandistinguishsoundsfromalanguage,eveniftheyhaveneverheardthelanguagebefore.Bytheendofthefirstyear,babiesbecome“languagespecialists,”andtheabilitytoattendtosoundsfromotherlanguagesdiminishesgreatly.Whenbabieshearmore

languages,thisexperiencemakesadifferenceintheirlanguagedevelopment.

ADiaperGame

Thechangingtableisalwaysagoodplacefordevelopingmotorskills.Whynotgiveyourbabyinterestingthingstolookatwhileheisbeingchanged?Tryhanginganinflatableballfromtheceiling,closeenoughforyoutoreach.Maketheballmoveslowlywhileyouarechangingthediaper.Yourbabywillbefascinatedbythisand,beforelong,willtrytoreachoutandtouchtheball.Afterchangingyourbaby’sdiaper,holdyourbabyandlethimtouchtheball.Youcouldalsohangamobilewithfamilypicturesfromtheceiling.


Thisgamedemonstratesthepopularviewpointthatbabieslearntomovetheirbodiesinasequencethatstartsfromtheheadandmovesdown.Researchershaveusedthisprogressionasawindowintoearlybraindevelopment.

Crisscross

Offeryourbabyarattle,toy,orotherobjectforplay.Watchandencourageyourbabytoreachandextendwhentryingtograbandgrasptheobject.Particularlyencourageyourbabytocrosshermidline(anymovementofthebodyorbodypartthatcrossesthecenterormidlineofthebodythatrunsfromheadtotoe).


Crossingthemidlineofthebodyimprovesthevestibularsense—theunderstandingofwherethebodyisandhowthebodymovesthroughspace.

Roll,Roll

Largeinflatableballsarewonderfulpropstousewithinfants.Onewaytousethiskindofballistoplaceyourbabyontheball.Withhistummyontheballandyourhandsholdinghimsecurely,rolltheballbackandforthalittlebit.Whileyouarerolling,singasongsuchasthefollowing,sungtothetuneof“Row,Row,RowYourBoat”:

Roll,roll,rolltheballBackandforthwego.Merrily,merrily,merrily,merrilyBackandforthwego.

Thisrockingmotionisveryrelaxingforaninfant.


Simpleactivitiessuchasrockingbabiesstimulatetheirbrainstogrow.

SoothingSmells

AccordingtoAlanGreene,MD,clinicalprofessorofpediatricsatStanfordUniversitySchoolofMedicine,authorofanumberofbooksandfounderofDrGreene.com,babiesdevelopasenseofsmellwhilestillinthewomb.Youcanusesmellstosootheyourbaby.Takeanightgownoranotherpieceofyourclothing,andsecureitclosetowhereshesleeps.Thesmellof“Mom”willcomforthergreatly.Pleasantodorssuchaslavendercanalsobeverysoothing.


Newbornsorientthemselvesbysmellmorethananyothersense.

DevelopingTouch

Thesenseoftouchisimportanttobabiesbeforetheyareborn.Whileinutero,babiespushandpull,touchtheirownfaces,andexploretheliningofthewomb.Layyourbabyonyourchest.Thishelpsregulatehisbreathingandbodytemperature.Asyouholdhimclose,saylovingwordsandsingsongsthatyousangwhenhewasinthewomb.


Touchisafundamentalandimportantsourceofsecuritytoaninfant.Ifyoudepriveaninfantoftouch,thebodyandbrainstopgrowinginahealthymanner.Physicalstrokinghelpsprematurebabiestogainweightmorequicklyandhelpshealthybabiesdigestfoodbetter.Babiescrylesswhentheyareheldandcarriedregularly.Touchis

aninfant’slifelinetosecurity,attachment,andreassurance.

Up,Down,AllAround

Sitinachair,andholdyourbabyinyourarms.Gentlyliftoneofherarmsupanddownfivetimes.Countasyouliftherarm.Nowrepeatwiththeotherarm.Repeatwitheachofherlegs.Whenyouarefinished,saythefollowingpoem:

One,two,three,four,five,Exerciseisfun!One,two,three,four,five,You’remyhoneybun.


Physicalactivityenhancesbrainfunctionbyprovidingmoreoxygentothebrain.

What’sYourName?

Sitinachair,andholdyourbabyinyourarms.Lookdirectlyintohiseyes,andsaythefollowinginasoft,normalvoiceuntilyoucometoyourchild’sname.Whenyousayyourchild’sname,raiseyourvoicetoahigherpitch.

You’resosweet.You’remybaby.What’syourname?(Sayyourchild’snameinahighervoice.)

Keeprepeatingthisaslongasyourbabyislookingatyourface.


Whenyouraisethepitchofyourvoice,yourchild’sbrainreceiveschemicalandelectricalimpulses.

ConnectingNeurons

Speakingdirectlytoyourbabywillcausemanyofherneuronstoconnecttoeachother.Holdyourbabyclose,andsaylovingwordsinasoftandlovingvoice.Afewexamplesofthingstosayincludethefollowing:

Youareveryspecial.Iloveyouverymuch.Youareawonderfulbaby.

Eachtimeyousayalovingsentence,giveheragentlesqueezeagainstyourbody.


Therepetitionofpositiveinteractionshelpsthebrainreinforceexistingconnectionsandmakesnewconnectionsaswell.

RepeatingSounds

Didyoueverwonderwhybabiesrepeatbeginningsounds,nomatterwheretheylive?Forexample,mamainEnglish,papainItalian,andtata(grandpa)inHungarian.Newresearchsaysit’sbecauseinfantbrainsarewiredtorespondtorepetitivepatterns.Holdyourbabyinyourarmsand,asyourockhimbackandforth,repeatthesamesyllableoverandover.Forexample,ma,ma,ma;bo,bo,bo;oranyotherinitialsound.Youcanalsosingorhumtherepeatingsounds.Thisactivitywillhelpdevelophislanguageskills.


Newborns’temporalandleftfrontalareasofthebrainareactivatedwhenevertheyhearrepeatedsounds.

TummyTime

Putyourbabyonhertummyasoftenasyoucanduringtheday.Getdowntoherlevel,andtalktoherface-to-face.Saysweet,lovingthings,andsingsongs.Yourbabyneedstobeonhertummytodevelophercoremuscles.


Researchsaysthatitiscrucialforinfants’coremusclestobeallowedtoself-activate.Infantsdevelopphysicallyfromtheneckdown,meaningthattheupperbody,arms,andcoremusclesgetstrongerbeforethelegs.

3to6Months

LookWhatISee

Babieslovetostareatinterestingfacesandtoys.Takeseveralcolorfultoysand,oneatatime,slowlymovethembackandforthinfrontofyourbabytostimulatehisvision.Thisisalsothetimewhenbabiesdiscovertheirhands.Theywatchandwatchandfinallydiscoverthattheycanmaketheirhandsappearinfrontoftheirfacesandthen“disappear.”Takeyourbaby’shandsandgentlyclaptheminfrontofhisface.Asyoudothis,saythefollowingpoem:

Clap,clap,clapyourhands,Clapyourhandstogether.PutyourhandsonMommy’sface.(Orusethenameofthepersondoingtherhyme.)Clapyourhandstogether.


Neuronsforvisionbeginformingbetweenthesecondandfourthmonthsoflife.Visuallystimulatingactivitiesareimportantatthisage.

WhoIsThatBaby?

Sitinfrontofafull-lengthmirrorwithyourbabyinyourlap.Ask,“Whoisthatbaby?”Waveyourbaby’shand,andsay,“Hi,baby.”Ask,“Where’sthebaby’sfoot?”Waveyourbaby’sfoot,andsay,“Hi,foot.”Continueaskingquestionsandmovingdifferentpartsofyourbaby’sbody.Nodheads,wavebye-bye,claphands,andmoveotherpartsofherbody,identifyingeachpartofherbodyasyoumakethemovement.


Linkingverbalandvisualstimulationstrengthensbrainconnections.

SockMagic

Putyourhandinsideasock,anduseitasapuppet.Letyourhandmovetomakethesock“talk.”Asyoutalkwiththesockpuppet,useadifferentvoice,andhavethepuppettouchyourbabywhilenamingapartofhisbody.Forexample,“Ifoundatoe.”“Ifoundanear.”“Ifoundanose.”Repeataslongasyourbabyseemstobeengaged.


Multisensory,playful,andinteractiveexperienceslinkedwithlanguagecreateprofoundmemoryconnectionsinthebrain.

Let’sWatch

Thinkofallthedifferentplacesthataregoodforobservingtheenvironment.Ifbabiescanwatchthingsmove,theyarehappy.Afront-loadingwashingmachineordryerisfunforbabiestowatch.Windowsthatareclosetotreesarewonderfulwatchingplaces,orsitoutsidewithyourbabyforanamazingexperienceofstimulation.

Watchbirdsflyfromoneplacetoanother.Watchcarsmovingdownthestreet.Watchthebranchesofatreeblowinthewind.

Taketimetositwithyourchildandwatchtogether.Havingyounexttoherwillgiveherthecomfortandsecuritythatsheneedstoenjoythewondersoftheworld.


Thelovingcareandsupportofanadultprovidesababy’sbrainwithpositiveemotionalstimulation.

GiggleBox

Helpyourbabyknowhowspecialheisbyimitatingandmimickinghissounds.Whenyourlittleonebeginstogiggle,gigglewithhim.Laughoften,andshowspontaneousjoyatwhatyourbabycando.


Communicatingwithayoungchild,evengigglingwithhim,providespatternsforunderstanding.Laughter,especially,releasesfeel-goodchemicalsinthebrainthatincreasethefeelingsofattachmentandofself-worth.

Where’sMyBaby?

Thisisagamethatstrengthensthebackandneck.Lieonyourback,andputyourbabyonyourtummy.Withyourhandsfirmlyaroundherchest,raiseyourbabyintheairanduptoyourface.Saythefollowing,anddotheactions:

Where’smybaby?Theresheis.(Liftheruptoyourface.)Where’smybaby?(Bringherbackdowntoyourtummy.)Theresheis.(Bringherbackuptoyourface.)Where’smybaby?(Bringherbackdowntoyourtummy.)Uphigh,high,high.(Bringheruphighoveryourface.)


Developingstrengthandbalancelaysthegroundworkforcrawlingandself-confidence.Movementinavarietyofdirectionsprovidestheexperienceaninfantneedstolearnhowtobalanceandgaincontroloverherbody.

UppityUppityUp

Exercisingyourbaby’sarmsandlegswillhelpdevelophismusclesandmotorcoordination.Thisisagoodgametoplaywhenyourbabyisonhisback.Gentlyliftuponelegatatime,andsaythisrhyme:

Uppityup,uppityupOne,two,down.(Puthisfootdown.)

Note:Neverforceanymovement.Ifyourbabyresists,trythisanothertime.Repeatwiththeotherfoot.Repeatwitheacharm.Dobothfeetatthesametime.Thendobotharmsatthesametime.


Exercisinghelpsthebraincreatethecircuitsformotorskilldevelopment.Repetitionstrengthenstheseconnectionsinthebrain.

ICanMakeMusic

Purchaseormakesocksoranklebraceletsthathavebells—makesurethebellsaresecureandwillnotcomeoff.Asyourbabybeginstomoveandkickherfeet,thesoundofthebellswillgenerallybeapleasantandgentlystimulatingsound.Watchasyourbabylearnstherelationshipbetweenkickingherfeetandthesoundofthebells.Themesmerizingsoundandactionwillencourageyourbabytomoveandexerciseherfeetandlegs—thecombinationofthemovements,sounds,andvisualaspectsofthisactivitysupporttheunderstandingofcause-and-effectrelationships.


Researchershavefoundthat,ataroundthreemonths,babiesareawarethatsomeoftheiractionsbringaboutpredictableresponses.

BabyBounce

Whenyourbabybeginstouseyourhandsforsupporttopullhimselfup,heoftenwillalsobegintobounce.Asyourbabybounces,encouragehim.Attemptstostandandbounceincreasetheuseofthelegmusclesandencouragemuscledevelopment.


Largemuscledevelopmentisnecessarytocreatethebrainconnectionsforcoordination,strength,andcontrol.

GoingUptheEscalator

Holdontobaby’sfingers,andgentlyliftherarmsasyousaythefollowingrhyme:

Goinguptheescalator,Up,up,up.Goingdowntheescalator,Down,down,down.

Liftyourbaby’slegs,andsaytherhyme.Continueliftingdifferentpartsofyourbaby’sbody,sayingtherhymeeachtime.Tryendingwithliftingherupintheairandthenputtingherdown.Alwaysgiveherakissonthedownpart.


Childrenwhoaretouchedlovingly,held,andplayedwithregularlydevelopbrainsthatarelargerandhavestrongerconnectionsbetweenbraincellsthanchildrenwhodonothavetheseexperiences.

TalkingTogether

Atthisagebabiesoftenmakelotsofsounds.Mimicthesoundsthatyourbabymakes.Thosesimplesoundswilllaterturnintowords.Takethewordsorsoundsthatyourbabymakes,suchasbabaormama,andturnthemintosentences.“Mamalovesyou.”“‘Baba,’saysthesheep.”PenelopeLeach,achilddevelopmentexpertandtheauthorofYourBabyandChild,says,“Yourchildmaysayhundredsofdifferentsoundsthroughouttheday,butifyouclapandapplaudwhenheorshesays,‘mama’or‘dada’,yourbabywillkeeprepeatingthosesoundsbecauseitmakesyouhappy.”Themoreyourepeatyourbaby’ssounds,themoreyourbabywillbeencouragedtomakemoresounds.Thisistrulythebeginningofaconversation.


Ababywhosecoosandgurglesaremetwithsmilesisdevelopingemotionalresponsiveness.Themoregentlethestimulationyougiveaninfant,themorestridesthataremadeinhisbraindevelopment.

ConnectwithConversation

Startaconversationwithyourbaby.Sayashortsentencesuchas,“Itisabeautifuldaytoday.”Whenyourbabyrespondswithsomebabbleoracoo,stoptalkingandlookintohereyes.Asyourbabytalks,respondwithanodofyourheadorasmile.Thisindicatestoyourbabythatyouarelisteningtoandenjoyinghersounds.Continuewithanothersentence.Alwaysstopandlistentoyourbaby’sresponse.Thisgamealsoteachesyourchildabouttakingturns.


Languageisfundamentaltobraindevelopment.Havingaconversationwithyourbabyisagreatstimulantforthebrain.Anytimeduringthedayisagoodopportunitytotalkwithyourbabyanddevelopherlanguage.

BaBaBaby-O

Singanysong,usingonerepeatedsoundinsteadofwords.Pickasoundthatyourbabyismaking,probablymaorba.Singsongsusingjustthosesoundswithafewwords.Forexample,singthefollowingtothetuneof“OldMacDonaldHadaFarm”:

BabababababababyBabababaOBabababababababyBabababaO

Othertunesthatyoucouldusearetheonesto“Twinkle,Twinkle,LittleStar,”“TheMuffinMan,”and“HumptyDumpty.”Themorethatyourepeatthesoundsyourbabyismaking,themoresoundsyourbabywillmake.


Thekeytolanguagedevelopmentinthebrainisbabieshearinglanguage—lotsofit.Childrenneedtohearlanguagefrombirth,longbeforetheycanspeak.Toddlerswhosemothersspokewiththemwhentheywereinfantshavelargevocabulariesandasolidbasisfordevelopinggoodcommunicationskills.

RollOlympics

Helpingyourbabyrolloverfromtummytobackwilldevelophischestandarmmuscles.Thisisafungametoplaywhileencouragingyourbabytorollover.Putyourbabyonhistummyonasoftandflatsurface.Carpetedfloorsandthemiddleofthebedaregoodforthisgame.Holdupateddybearinfrontofyourbaby’sface,anddoanticswiththebear.Youmightsaythefollowingpoemasyoumaketheteddybearmovearound:

Teddybear,teddybear,turnaround.(Turntheteddybeararound.)Teddybear,teddybear,touchtheground.(Maketheteddyfalldown.)

Whenyouknowthatyourbabyiswatchingtheteddy,moveittothesidesothatyourbaby’seyesand,hopefully,hisbodywillfollow.Repeatthepoem,movingtheteddybeareachtime.


Usingthesemusclesrepeatedlygivesbabies’musclesthestrengthandelasticityforrollingover.Attemptstorollandreachinvolvecross-lateralmovement,whichhelpsdevelopthevestibularsense.

Pop!GoestheWeasel

Babiesenjoymusicandrhythm.Whenshewasinthewomb,yourbabyfeltandheardtherhythmofhermother’sheart,digestion,breathing,andthesoundsofthebloodmovinginherbody.Taketworhythmsticks(ortwowoodenspoons),andtapthemtogetherasyousingthesong“Pop!GoestheWeasel.”Tapthestickssoftly,andincreasetheloudnessofthesoundwhenyoucometothewordpop.Soonyourbabywillbegintoanticipatetheloudersound.Helpyourbabyholdthesticks.Singthesongwhilesheisholdingthesticks:

Allaroundthecobbler’sbenchThemonkeychasedtheweasel.Themonkeylaughedtoseesuchfun.Pop!goestheweasel.


Exposuretomusic—listeningto,playing,singing—andtorhythmuniquely“wires”neuralcircuitsinthebrain.

Let’sBounce

Bouncinggamesaresuchfunforbabies,andtheyplayanimportantroleinhelpinglittleoneslearnbalance,aprerequisiteforwalking.Youcanbounceyourbabyinmanyways—whileheissittingonyourlap,lyingwithhistummyonyourknees,orlyingonhisbackonyourknees.Youcanbounceupanddownorrockfromsidetoside.Note:Alwayssupportyourbabysecurelywhenbouncinghim.Thefollowingaretwotraditionalbouncingrhymestotry:

Tomarket,tomarket,tobuyafatpig.Homeagain,homeagain,jiggityjig.Tomarket,tomarket,tobuyaplumbun.Homeagain,homeagain,marketisdone.

Ihavealittlepony,andhisnameisDappleGrey.Helivesdowninthestableandnotveryfaraway.Hegoesnimble,nimble,nimble.Hegoestrot,trot,trot.Hegoesnimble,nimble,nimble.Hegoestrot,trot,trot.


Bouncingandrockingdevelopthebrainconnectionsneededforcrawlingandwalking.

ILovetheMusic

Babiesrespondinuninhibitedwaystosightsandsounds.Ifyourbabybouncestomusicorsong,helporsupporther,asneeded,andencouragethemovement.Asyourbabyusesherlegsandarmsandheadmovementstorespondtostimuli,extendthemovementsbygentlyhelpingtomoveherarmsandlegsinevenlargermotions—includingcrossingoverthebody.


Engaginginmovementactivitiesinaplayful,supportiveatmospherereleasesneurotransmittersinthebrainthatactivatememory.

Choo-ChooTrain

Asyousaythefollowingrhyme,moveyourfingersupyourbaby’sarmandbackdownagain:

Choo-chootrain,choo-chootrainGoingupthetrack.Toot,toot,toot,tootNowit’scomingback.

Repeatfortheotherarm.Bedramaticwiththewordtoot,andsoonyourbabywillbetryingtomakethatsound.


Dramaticspeechencouragesbabies’emotionalexpression,whichactivatesthebraintoreleasechemicalsthathelpmemory.

Swinging

Theactionofaswingisveryappealingtoaninfant.Ifyousaypoemsorsingsongsasyouswingyourbaby,hewilldevelopasenseofrhythmaswellassomeveryimportantbrainconnections.Holdyourbabyinyourlapasyouswingbackandforth.Saythefollowingpoemasyouswing:

Backandforth,backandforthSwinging,swingingBackandforth

Anothergoodpoemtosayis“TheSwing”byRobertLouisStevenson.


Infantspossessanabundanceofgenesandbrainsynapsesthatarereadytolearnorrespondtomusicandpoetry.

WigglesandScoots

Babieswigglethemselvesallovertheplace.Thesewigglesandscootsarepreparingthemtocrawl.Placeyourbabyonhertummy,andlieonthefloorfacingher.Putaninterestingtoyinfrontofherbutjustoutofherreach.Movethetoy(ballswithjinglesaregood)backandforth.Assheattemptstogettheball,shewillprobablyscootforwardalittle.Giveherachancetoretrievetheball,andpraisehergenerously.Thiskindofsuccessdevelopsgreatself-confidence.


Wigglesandscootshelptheformationofthebrainsynapsesthatdevelopfuturelargemotorskills.

PushtheBaby

Putyourbabydownonhisstomach.Getbehindyourbaby,andplaceyourhandsagainstthesolesofhisfeet.Whenhefeelsyourhands,hewilltrytobringhimselfforwardbypushingonyourhands.Thisisapreparationexerciseforcrawling.Sometimeshewillneedagentlepushfromyou.Whilelightlypushinghisfeet,saythefollowingpoem:

Takeyourlittlefeetandpush,push,push.(Gentlypushyourbaby’sfeet.)Takeyourlittlefeetandpush,push,push.(Gentlypushyourbaby’sfeet.)Takeyourlittlefeetandpush,push,push.(Gentlypushyourbaby’sfeet.)Push,push,alldaylong.


Infantsacquiregrossmotorskillsasaresultofbrainmaturationandmuscledevelopment.Thesemotormilestonesarethoughttobehardwiredintothebrainanddevelopaslongasinfantshavefreedomtopracticetheseskills.

MovingTarget

Asyourbabyliesonherback,showherasofttoyorball.Movetheballnearyourbaby’sfeet.Whenyourbabynoticesthetoyorball,shewilltrytokickit.Encourageyourbaby,andtalktoheraboutwhatsheisattemptingtodoandthenameoftheobject.Say,“It’sgoodtokicktheball,”or“Canyoukicktheball?”Letyourbabykicktheball.Thisactivityisparticularlyeffectiveiftheobjectalsomakesanoise.


Workingthelegmuscleswhileobservinganobjectdevelopseye-footcoordination,askillthatisnecessaryforcertainmovementsandforspatialawareness.

ChangingHands

Whenyourbabyisbetweenthreeandsixmonthsold,hemaybegintotransferanobjectfromonehandtotheotherhand.Youcanhelpstrengthentheneuralcircuitsinhisbrainbyhelpingyourbabypracticetransferringanobjectfromonehandtotheother.Thisgamedevelopssmallmotorskillsandeye-handcoordination.Putasmallrattleintooneofyourbaby’shands.Shakethehandwiththerattle.Showyourbabyhowtotransfertherattletotheotherhand.Thesearethesteps:

Putyourbaby’semptyhandontherattle,andhewillautomaticallygrabit.Undoyourbaby’sfingersonthefirsthandfromaroundtherattle,thenkisshisfingers.


Learningtotransferobjectsfromonehandtoanotherrequiresconsciousattention.Althoughhandmovementsareinfluencedbytouchandsight,thesemovementsmustbelearnedand,therefore,haveastrongrelationshiptocognitivedevelopment.

Where’stheToy?

Holdafavoritetoyinfrontofyourbaby,andthenputitoutofsight.Encouragehertolookforthetoy.Askquestionssuchas,“Isitinthesky?”andthenlookuptothesky.Ask,“Isitontheground?”andthenlookdowntotheground.Ask,“Isitinmyhands?”Reply,“Yes,hereitis!”Asyourbabylearnsthisgame,shewillbegintolookforthetoywhenyouremoveitfromhersight.Onceshehasstartedtopayattentiontowherethetoygoes,shewillfollowyourmovementsasyouputitoutofsight.


Theexperiencesthatfillababy’sfirstmonthsoflifehaveadefinitiveimpactonthearchitectureofthebrainandfuturebraincapacity.

NurturingCuriosity

Babiesareborncurious.Theyarebornwithaninnatedrivetounderstandhowtheworldworks.Whenyourbabyfollowsasoundbyturninghishead,itisbecauseheiscurious.Whenyourbabystareslongandhardataparticularobject,itisbecauseheiscurious.Besuretohavecolorfulpicturesonthewalls,toysthataresafeforyourbabytoexplore,andaninterestingenvironmentbothindoorsandoutside.


Nurturingyourchild’scuriosityisoneofthemostimportantwaysyoucanhelphimbecomealifelonglearner.Neuroscientistshaveproposedasimpleexplanationforthepleasureofgraspinganewconcept:Thecomprehensiontriggersapleasurableresponseinthebrain.

TheScarfGame

Takeacolorfulscarf,andswirlitbackandforthinfrontofyourbaby.Throwthescarfupintheair,andwatchitfloattotheground.Trythrowingitagainandlettingitlandonyourhead.Throwitintheair,andletitlandonastuffedanimal.


Healthyearlybraindevelopmentismorelikelytooccurinastress-free,nurturingenvironment.

CommunicatingwithYourBaby

Howdoinfantscommunicate?Throughcrying,cooing,smiling,andthewaystheymovetheirbodies.Byrespondingtoyourbaby’sexpressions,youaretellingherthatyouarepayingattentiontowhatsheistryingtotellyou.Whenyourespond,includepositivewords.Evenifshedoesnotunderstandthewords,shewillunderstandthetoneofyourvoice.Ifyourbabyiscooing,coobackandsay,“Ilovetohearyourvoice.”Ifyourbabyiscrying,pickherupandsay,“Let’sseeifwecanfindoutwhat’sthematter.”


Thehumanbrainisprogrammedtolearnlanguagesowecancommunicatewithoneanother.Babieshavebeenhoningtheirlisteningskillssincebeforetheywereborn.Afterbirth,babiesbeginmakingsoundsthatwillbecomewordsandsentences.

OneThingataTime

MariaMontessoribelievedthatyoungchildrencouldnotconcentrateonmorethanonethingatatime.IfyouvisitanauthenticMontessoriclassroom,youwillseetheteacherdemonstratingaprojectwithouttalking.Aftertheteacherfinishesdemonstrating,thensheuseswords.Overstimulatinganinfantisveryeasytodo.Yourbabywillgiveyousignsthatheisbeingoverstimulated.Somesignsareyawning,closinghiseyes,crying,andclaspinghishandstogether.Ifyourbabyseemstobeoverstimulated,pickhimup,speaksoftlytohim,andholdhimclose.Thiswillreducehisstress.


Thedevelopingbraincanonlypayattentiontoonethingatatime.

LearningWords

Sitatatablewithyourbabyinyourlap.Puttwoobjectsonthetable.Onecouldbeababydollandtheotherablock.Asyousaythewordstoyourbaby,useahigh-pitchedvoice.Touchthedoll,andsay,“babydoll.”Takeyourbaby’shand,touchthedoll,andsay,“babydoll.”Kissyourbaby’shand,andsaysomethinglovingtoher.Continuewiththeblock.Repeatseveraltimes.Separatethetwoobjectsfarapartonthetable.Askyourlittleone,“Whereistheblock?”Ifshedoesn’treachfortheblockorturnherheadtowardtheblock,pickuptheblockorgentlyturnherheadtowardtheblock.Say,“Here’stheblock!”(ifyou’reholdingtheblock)or“There’stheblock!”(ifyou’removingherhead).


Thewaytotalkwithinfantsisspecial.Characteristicsofthis“parentese”speechincludeahigherpitch,longerduration,andmoreexaggeratedpitchchanges.

ReachingOut

Sitonthefloorwithyourbabynexttoyouorinyourlap.Holdanattractivetoyinfrontofhim.Holditjustfarenoughawaysothathehastoreachouttogetthetoy.Asheisreaching,encouragehimwithalovingandkindvoice.Whenhegetsthetoy,praisehimwithyourvoiceandasmile.Thevoiceandsmilethatyouusewillencouragehimtoreachoutagainforotherthings.Playthisgamemanytimes.Changethetoyfromtimetotimetomakethegameinterestingforyourbaby.


Activityinthebraincreatestinyelectricalconnectionscalledsynapses.Repeatingtheactionsthatstimulatethebraintomaketheseconnectionsstrengthenstheseconnectionsandmakesthempermanent.

TheWondersofMusic

Playmusicforyourbabythatincludessopranovoices.Holdherinyourarms,anddancearoundtheroom.Swing,sway,andenjoythemusictogether.


Thewombwasyourbaby’sfirstconcerthall.Thatiswhereherearsformedwithinthefirst10weeksofpregnancy.Thetonesofvoiceandwordsthatyouusehelpinfantsfeelsecure.Talktoyourbabyin“parentese,”withasofttoneofvoice,lovingwords,ahigherpitch,andfewerwordsperphrase.Brainresearchrevealsthat“parentese”

helpsbabiesfocus.

6to9Months

MirrorGames

Itseemsthatthemoreababysees,themorehewantstosee.Lookingintoamirrorisgreatfunandgivesyourbabyanotherperspectiveonwhoheis.Herearesomethingsthatyoucandowithyourbabyasyoulookintoafull-lengthmirror:

Smile.Shakedifferentpartsofthebody.Makefacesandsillysounds.Makesoundswithyourlips.Makeanimalsounds.Rockbackandforth.


Theneuronsforvisionbegintoconnectatbirth,sobabiesneedstimulatingvisualexperiences.

SoundsEverywhere

Exposeyourbabytoavarietyofsounds.Makesoundswithyourmouth,andputyourbaby’sfingersonyourmouthasyoumakethesounds.

Buzzlikeabee.Hum.Popyourcheeks.Makeasirensound.Cough.Pretendtosneeze.

Crunchdifferentkindsofpaper.Cellophaneandtissuepaperhaveinterestingsounds.


Stimulatingbabies’auditorydevelopmentmaybethemostimportantsensetodevelopinthefirstyear.Throughhearing,childrenexperiencelanguageandmusic,whichstimulatetheirintellectualandemotionaldevelopmentinwaysnoothersensecan.

LiveinConcert

Babiesenjoysoundsandmusic.Showyourbabyavarietyofmusicalinstruments—guitar,bells,triangle,drum,piano,andsoon.Encourageyourbabytotouchtheinstruments.Ifyourbabyiscapableandinterested,letherplaytheinstrumentstoproducesounds,oryoucanplaytheinstrumentsforyourbaby.


Thebrainlikesnovelty.Byexploringandinvestigatingnewthings,thebraintriestoconnectthenewexperiencetoanalreadyexistingpattern,orthebraincreatesanewpatterntounderstandthenewexperience.

WhatDidYouSay?

Singorsayarhymetoyourbabythatusesadifferentlanguagethanyourown.Ifyoudonotknowasongorrhymeinanotherlanguage,findarelativeorfriendwhodoesandwhowouldbewillingtoteachyouorcomeandspendsometimesingingandtalkingtoyourbaby.


Hearingthetonesandsoundsofdifferentlanguageshelpsthebraintogrow.

RumTumTum

Babieslovetobangwiththingstheyholdintheirhands.Thisisexcellentformotorcoordinationandlotsoffun,too.Sitonthefloorwithyourbaby.Giveyourbabyawoodenspoon.Hewillneednoencouragementtobangthespoononthefloor.Singyourfavoritesongsasyoubothbangwoodenspoonsonthefloor.Trybangingspoonstothefollowingpoem:

Rum,tum,tum,Rum,tum,tum,Bangthedrum,Rum,tum,tum.


Thebrainrefinesthecircuitsneededforreachingandgrabbing.Graspingobjectshelpsthebraindevelopeye-handcoordinationandhelpsmuscleslearnthepatternsofactions.Basicmotorskillsstartdevelopingshortlyafterbirth.Finemotorabilitybeginsdevelopinginthesecondhalfofthefirstyear.

ShakeIt,Baby!

Putsomebuttonsinametalcontainer.Tapethetopcarefullysothatyourbabycannotgetitopen.Shakethecontainer,andlistentothenoise.Watchyourbaby’seyesgrowbigwithexcitement.Givetheshakertoyourbaby,andlethershakeitasyousingyourfavoritesongs.Trysinging“OldMacDonaldHadaFarm,”shakingandmakinganimalsoundstogether.Whatcouldbemorefun?Youcanalsoturnasee-throughplasticbottleintoashaker.Yourlittleonewillenjoywatchingtherocksorbuttonsmovewhentheyarebeingshaken.


EricJensen,authorofMusicwiththeBraininMind,saysthatinfantspossessanabundanceofgenesandsynapsesthatmakethemreadytoappreciateandlearnaboutmusic.

One,Two

Sitwithyourbabyonthefloor.Makeuprhymesasyouholdyourbaby’shandandlethimtouchdifferentpartsofyourbody.Herearesomeideas:

One,two,three,touchmyknee.Yellow,red,touchmyhead.Dippitydips,touchmylips.Apples,pear,touchmyhair.

Eachtimeyousaythepartofthebody,putyourchild’shandonthatpart.Whenyousay,“One,two,three,touchmyknee,”putyourbaby’shandonyourknee.Reversethegame,andtouchyourbabyasyousaytherhyme.


Babiesneedtouchingexperiencestogrowthebrainandgrowthebody;theseexperiencesarejustascriticalasnutrientsandvitamins.

TommyThumb

Saytherhymeasyoutouchyourbaby’sfingersonebyone:

TommyThumb,TommyThumb,Whereareyou?HereIam,hereIam.Howdoyoudo?

Repeatwith“PeterPointer,”“TobyTall,”“RubyRing,”“SallySmall,”and“fingersall.”Onthefinalverse,waveyourbaby’shand.Yourbabywillrespondtoyourtouchandyourvoice.


Songsandfingerplaysproviderichlanguageopportunitiesthatarevitaltothedevelopmentofthebrain.

I’veGotPower

Babiesenjoyinteractiveexperiences.Yourbabywilleventuallyinitiateagamerelatedtodroppingandretrieving.Whenyourbabydropsanobject,retrieveitandgiveitbacktoyourbaby.Yourbabywillsoonlearnthatifshedropssomething,someonewillpickitup.


Droppingobjectsfromahighchairtothefloorispracticeforthegrasp-releaseskills.Embracethisgame!Italsohelpsdevelopdepthperceptionandsound-distanceawareness.

RollingAlong

Yourbabywillenjoyplayingwithavarietyofballs.Findseveralsmallballsthatattracttheinterestofyourbaby.Locateatubethatwillallowtheballstopassthroughreadily.Rolltheballsthroughthetube.Watchforyourbaby’ssurpriseandanticipationwhenhenoticestheballcomingoutoftheotherendofthetube.Describetheactionandyourbaby’sresponseastheballs“disappear”andthen“reappear.”


Playandplayfulinteractionsarecriticalforthedevelopingbrain.Addinganelementofsurpriseandchallengeenhancesthelearningexperience.

PuppetPeekaboo

Childrenlovewatchingandplayingwithpuppets.Putapuppetonyourhand,andholditbehindyourback.Bringoutthepuppet,andsay,“Peekaboo,(child’sname).”Nowputitbehindyourbackagain.Continuedoingthisuntilyourbabybeginstoanticipatethepuppetcomingoutatacertainplace.Thenbringthepuppetoutatadifferentplace—overyourhead,overthebaby’shead.Alwaysbringitdowninfrontofyourbaby’sface(nottooclose)whenyousaythepeekaboowords.Givethepuppettoyourbaby,andseeifshewillimitateyou.


Witheverygameofpeekaboo,thousandsofconnectionsamongbraincellsareformedorstrengthened,addingabitmoredevelopmenttothecomplex“wiring”thatwillremainlargelyinplacefortherestofthechild’slife.

IKnowYou’reThere—Somewhere

Playagameofsurpriseandanticipationasyouhelpyourbabygetdressed.Asyouputonyourbaby’sshirt,askaquestionsuchas,“Whereismybaby?”whenyourlittleone’sheadiscovered.Quicklysaysomethingsuchas,“Thereyouare,”justassoonasyoucanseeyourbaby’sface.Modifythequestionstoincludebodypartssuchasfeet,toes,legs,fingers,arms,andsoon.Alwaysactsurprisedandpleasedwhenyouprovidearesponse.


Lovinginteractionswithpeopleandexploringobjectsareasnecessarytoachild’sbraindevelopmentasfoodis.

Ahh-Boom!

Propyourbabyonyourlapinasittingpositionfacingyou.Loweryourhead,andgentlytouchforeheadswithyourbabywhileslowlysaying,“Ahh-boom!”ateachtouch.Intime,yourbabywillanticipatethegamebyleaningforwardbeforeyourforeheadsmeet.Anotherwaytoplaythisgameistostretchoutthewordahhhandonlysaythewordboomwhenforeheadsmeet.Babieslovethisgame.


Thequalityoftherelationshipaninfanthaswithhisparentshasadirectimpactonthephysicaldevelopmentofthebrain.Everychilddeservesabrainboostinhisfirstyears!

Surprise!Surprise!

Yourbabyenjoysfunanduniqueexperiences.Findanobjectsuchasatoythatsqueaks,aSlinkytoy,oranotherexpandableandchangeableitem.Squeezethetoytomakeitsqueak,expandtheSlinky,ordemonstratethechangeablecharacteristicsofanotheritem.Watchforthesurpriseandexcitementtheobjectprovidesforyourlittleone.Usewords,sounds,exclamations,orothermeanstoaddtothedramaofthemoment.


Positiveexperiencesenhancebrainconnections.Genesprovidethebrain’s“buildingmaterials”;theenvironmentbuildsthebrainthroughtrillionsofbraincellconnectionsthatresultfromexperiencingtheworldthroughmovementandthesensesofsight,sound,smell,andtouch.

PeekabooFun

Therearesomanydifferentkindsofpeekaboogames,andbabieslovethemall.Thefavoriteiscoveringyourfacewithyourhandsandthentakingthemaway.Thisshowsyourbabythateventhoughshecan’tseeyourface,youarestillthere.Thisgameisveryimportantin“wiring”thebrain.Otherwaystoplaypeekaboo:

Putyourbaby’shandsoverhereyes,andthentakethemaway.Holdatowelorclothdiaperbetweenyouandyourchild.Peekoutofthesideandthetopofthetowelorclothdiaper.Tossatowelorclothdiaperoveryourhead,andthentakeitaway.


Althoughpat-a-cakeandpeekaboolooklikeinnocentplay,thesegamescommunicatecomplexsetsofrulesaboutturn-takingandexpectations.Adevelopingbrainwilladapttowhateverhappensrepeatedlyintheenvironment.Fortheirbrainstodevelopoptimally,childrenneedtohavefun,interesting,andlovingexperienceseachday.

PeekabooMusic

Singthissongtothetuneof“FrèreJacques”:

Areyousleeping,areyousleeping,Little(child’sname),little(child’sname)?Nowit’stimetowakeup,Nowit’stimetowakeup,Ding,ding,dongDing,ding,dong.

Usethisasapeekaboosong.Coveryoureyesasyousing,“Areyousleeping?”Whenyousing,“Nowit’stimetowakeup,”takeyourhandsawayfromyoureyes.Whenyousing,“ding,ding,dong,”moveyourbaby’shandsupanddownasifheisringingabell.


Peekaboogamescreatenewbrainconnectionsandstrengthenexistingones.

TheBigSqueeze

Playingwithsqueezetoysisgreatfun.Therubberykindseemtobetheeasiesttosqueeze.Yourbabyisdevelopingsmallmotorskillswhenshesqueezesthings.Ifyourbabyishavingtroublesqueezingthetoy,putyourhandsoveryourbaby’shands,andsqueezethetoy.Onceshegetsthefeelingofhowtosqueezethetoytomakethenoise,yourbabywillbeabletodoitbyherself.Hereisafunlittlepoemtosayasyousqueezethetoy:

Squeezethecheese,Louise,please!Squeezethecheese,Louise,please!Notthebeesandnotthetrees!Squeezethecheese,Louise,please!

Squeezeonthewordplease.


Exercisingsmallmuscleshasapositiveeffectonthemotorareasofthebrainandpreparesthebodyforfuturelearning.

TouchingTextures

Gathertogetherstripsofdifferentkindsofmaterials—wool,cotton,velvet,satin,andanyothersthatyoumighthave.Sitonthefloorwithyourbaby,andholdoutoneofthematerialpiecescloseenoughforhimtoreach.Whenhegrabsatit,praisehiseffort.Oncehehastouchedthestripofmaterial,tellhimthenameofit,andplaceitonhispalm.Describethefeelofthematerial:“Thisisvelvet,anditfeelssmooth.”Hewillnotunderstandallofyourwords,buthewillassociatethesoundofyourvoicewiththefeelofthematerial.


Gamesthatchallengeyourbabytoreachforanobjectdevelopyourbaby’seye-handcoordination,whichimpactsthe“wiring”inhisbrain.

AnotherPopGame

Movementandmusictogetherstimulatebothsidesofthebrain.Holdyourbabyinyourarmsasyoumovearoundtheroomandsingtothetuneof“Pop!GoestheWeasel.”Whenyoucometothewordpop,holdyourbabyhighintheair,andthenbringherdownforakiss.

Allaroundthecobbler’sbenchThemonkeychasedtheweasel.Themonkeylaughedtoseesuchsport.Pop!goesthebaby(Orsayyourchild’sname).


Cross-culturalstudiesshowthatinfantswhoreceiveagenerousamountoflovingtouchthroughoutthedaydevelopintellectually,emotionally,socially,andphysicallybetterthanbabieswhoreceivelesslovingtouch.Touchisabasic,essentialneed.

SingandSay

Musicandrhythmhaveapowerfuleffectonbraindevelopment.Thinkaboutthesongsyouliketosing,andthensingthemtoyourbaby.Whateversongsyousing,yourbabyisgoingtoenjoyhearingthewords.Itdoesn’tmatterthathedoesn’tunderstandthem.Ifyoursonghasafamiliarwordthatyouknowyourchildunderstands,singthatwordlouderthantheothers.Insteadofsingingasong,trysayingthewordstothesongindifferentways—whisperingthemorsayingthewordsinasoft,loud,orhigh-pitchedvoice.Whetheryousingorspeakthewords,therhythmwillopenwindowsofopportunityinyourchild’sbrain.


Understandingmusic,especiallyrhythm,involvestheinterplayofbothsidesofthebrain.Playingmanytypesofmusicforyourbabydevelopshisbrainandasenseofpitch,whichiscriticaltohislanguagedevelopment.

Abracadabra

Putabrightlycoloredscarfinsideapapertube.Pulloutthescarf,andshowdelightandsurprise.Putthescarfbackintothetube.Inviteyourbabytopulloutthescarf.Observethesurpriseandamusementonyourbaby’sface.Yourbabywillwanttoplaythisgameagainandagain!


Noveltyandsurprise,whentheyhappeninasafe,supportiveenvironment,createlearningandmemoryconnectionsinthebrain.

AGoodnightRhyme

Rockyourbabyasyousaythefollowingrhyme:

Goodnight,sweetbaby.Goodnight,sweetone.Theclockistickingandsays,“We’redone.”Goodnight,sweetbaby.Goodnight,mydear.Thestarsaretwinkling,andsleepisnear.

Gentlyputyourbabyinherbed,andsay,“Goodnight,goodnight.”Rubyourbaby’stummy,andgiveherakiss.


Holdingandcuddlingcomfortsyourbabyandhelpsherbraindevelopandgrow.

LoveThoseKeys!

Keysareafavoritetoyforbabies.Theymakenoiseandareeasytohold,andbabiesliketodropthem.Holdthekeysinyourhand,andsay,“One,two,three,let’sdropthekeys.”Dropthekeysonthefloor,andbesureyourlittleonewatchesthemdrop.Putthekeysinyourbaby’shandandrepeat.Openyourbaby’sfingers,andletthekeysdrop.Afterafewtimes,yourbabywillknowwhattodoandwilldelightinthisgame.Thisisanexcellentgamefordevelopingsmallmotorskills.


Whenyourbabyexercisesthemusclesinhishands,theactivitystimulateshisbraindevelopment.

Waving

Waveyourbaby’sfeetandhandstopeopleorpetsyourbabyknows.Singthissongtothetuneof“FrèreJacques”:

WavetoDaddy,wavetoDaddy,Wave,wave,wave,Wave,wave,wave.

SayhellotoDaddy,sayhellotoDaddy,Wave,wave,wave,Wave,wave,wave.

YoucanwavewitheitherhandsorfeettoMommy,Grandma,Grandpa,friends,andpets.


Brainresearchscientistshavelearnedthattheparent-childattachmentisthemostcriticalfactorinyourbaby’sdevelopment.

ListeningFun

Themoreexperiencethatyourlittleonehaslistening,thebetterlanguageskillsshewillhave.Includeyourbabyasmuchasyoucaninfamilyconversations.Atthedinnertable,listeningtootherstalkwillteachhernumerouswords.Rememberthateventhoughyourbabycannotsaythewords,shestillunderstandsagreatdeal.Playdifferentprogramsontheradiosoyourbabyhearsdifferentvoicesandsounds.Oftenyourbabywillrespondtowhatsheishearing.Encourageherresponsesbyinteractingwithher.


Themostintensiveperiodofspeechandlanguagedevelopmentisduringthefirstthreeyearsoflife.Speechandlanguageskillsdevelopbestinanenvironmentthatisrichwithsounds,sights,andthespeechandlanguageofotherpeople.

ReadingTips

Setasideaspecialtimeeachdayforbooks.Bedtimeisoftenagoodchoice.Selectbookswithshortsentencesandsimpleillustrations.Letyourbabyholdabookandturnthepages.Beginbynamingthepictures.Thestorywillcomelater.Stopandtalkaboutanythinginthebookthatyourbabyseemsinterestedin.Apicturemayremindhimofsomethingelse.Keeptheconversationgoing,anduselotsofdescriptivewords.Mostimportant:repeat,repeat,repeat.Yourbabywillwanttoreadthesamebookoverandover.Themoreyourepeat,themoreyouareestablishingbrainconnections.


Aninfant’sbrainis“wired”bytherepetitionofsound,developingstrongneuralpathwaysinthebrainthatbecomethe“highways”oflearning.

Let’sClimb

Thereisnoavoidingit!Yourbabywillbegintoclimbeverythinginsight.Whynothelpheralonganddevelopherlargemuscles?Pilecushionsandpillowsonthefloor.Putyourbabyinfrontofthepillows,andshewillhaveawonderfultime.Putafavoritetoyontopofoneofthepillows.Thiswillenticeherevenmore.Note:Stayclosebyasyourbabyexplorestheenvironment.


Eachyoungbrainforms,atitsownpace,theneuralandmuscularconnectionsrequiredforcrawlingandclimbing.

TheSigningGame

Muchresearchhasbeendoneaboutteachingsignlanguagetobabies.Infantswhorecognizesimplesignsseemtolikebooksearlierbecausetheyhavemorewaystoidentifywithwhattheyseeinabook.Forexample,ifyouarereadingabooktoyourbabyandthereisapictureofacat,youcansaythewordcatandmakethesignforcat.Thisadditionalcuehelpsyourbabymaketheconnectionbetweenthewordandthepicture.Herearethreesimplesignstoteachyourbaby:

Cat—takethepalmofyourhand,andstrokethebackofyourotherhand.Fish—openandcloseyourmouthlikeafish.Bird—flapyourarmsupanddownintheair.

Singingsongsthatincludethesewordsisanexcellentwaytoreinforcethesigns.Asongsuchas“OldMacDonaldHadaFarm”isagoodonetosing.


Thebrainiscapableoflearningthroughoutlife,butnoothertimewilleverequalthismostproductivetimeoflearning.

Upsidoodle

Thisfungameisgreatexercisethatalsohelpsbabieslearntoanticipatewhensomethingisgoingtohappen.Haveyourbabyliedownonasoft,flatsurface.Holdhishandsandwrists,andcount,“One,two,three,upsidoodle.”Gentlypullhimuptoasittingposition.Shout,“Hooray!”whenheissitting.Gentlylowerhimbacktothelying-downpositionandrepeat.Afterseveralrepetitions,yourbabywillanticipatetherideup.Again,besureyourbabycansupporthisheadandneckbeforedoingthisactivity.


Healthyearlybraindevelopmentismorelikelytooccurinastress-free,nurturingenvironment.

RockandSing

Putyourbabyonhertummy,andencouragehertoholdherheaduphigh.Liedownfacinghersoyouaredoingthesamething.Getuponallfours,androckbackandforth.Encourageyourbabytocopyyou.Whileyouareonallfours,rockbackandforthandsingorhumasong.Itdoesn’thavetohavewords;justsyllableswithahappytuneisfine.Thiswillencourageyourbabytohumandrockbackandforthonallfours.


Tummy-timeactivitiesforbabiesallowthemtodeveloptheheadcontrolandupper-bodystrengththeyneedtocrawl.Tummyplaytimeimprovesyourbaby’scoordinationskillsinadditiontoenhancingherbraindevelopment.

ReadItAgain!

Nothingismoredeliciousthansnugglingupwithyourlittleonetoshareabook.Babieshavebooksthattheylove.Thesearethebooksthattheywantyoutoreadoverandoveragain.Thereasonscouldbemany—thecolors,thepictures,thefeelofthematerial(sturdyorsoft),thestory.Atthisage,yourbabywillbeveryinterestedinlookingatthepicturesandturningthepages.Useyourbaby’snameinthestorywhereverpossible.Choosebooksthatarehighlytactileortextured.Babiesthisagealsorespondstronglytosound,solookforbooksthatincorporateelementsthatcrinkle,crunch,jangle,swish,beep,ormakemusic.


Repetitionorganizeslanguagepatternsforbabiesandhelpsthemunderstandnewwordsandnewmeaningsofwords.Babiesbeginexploringtheworldthroughtouch,whichmaybewhytouch-relatedbooksforbabiesaresoplentiful.

NosetoNose

Loveandaffectionareveryrealneeds.Yourbabyisnevertryingtomanipulateorcontrolyou;hesimplyhasabiologicalneedforyourloveandaffection.Holdyourlittleoneinyourarms,andsaythefollowing:

Nosetonose,(Touchnoses.)Cheektocheek,(Touchcheeks.)Eartoear,(Touchears.)Iloveyou.(Giveyourbabyalovinghug.)


Unconditionallovesupportsyourbaby’sself-esteemandanincreaseddevelopmentofbraincircuitry.

ConversationalSigning

Theageofsixmonthsisagoodtimetostartdoingbabysignswithyourbaby.Someofthemostimportantsignsyoucanintroducearemore(whilefeeding),eat,bottletime,andalldone.YoucanuseAmericanSignLanguage(ASL)signsormakeupyourownsignsforeachactionyouareintroducing.Therearemanybooksaboutusingsignlanguagewithbabies,oryoucanuseasearchenginetofindawebsitethatshowssignsthatcanbeusedwithbabies.Theimportantpartistousethesignsconsistently.Yourbabywillsoonbesigningtoyou.


Conversationexercisesthebrain.Theplasticityofthebrainmakesitpossibleforinfantstolearnanotherlanguage,suchassigning.Themorewordsaninfantlearns,themorebrainconnectionsshewillmake.Signinggivesherachancetocommunicateandbepartofaconversation.

9to12Months

OutsideExploring

Playingoutsideonalovelydayisawonderfulwayforyourbabytoexperiencewithhissenses.Letyourbabycrawlinthegrasswhileyoucrawlalongwithhim.Nameeachthingthatyourbabyseemsinterestedin.Smellflowers,ticklewithgrass,lookforbugs,andletyourbabyexploretheenvironmentwithhissenses.Therearesomanythingstodo.Rollingoverinthegrassisfun.Yourbabymayenjoythelight,pricklyfeelofthegrass.


Earlychildhoodexperienceshaveadramaticandpreciseimpact,physicallydetermininghowtheintricateneuralcircuitsofthebrainarewired.

SeekandYeShallFind

Listeningforthesourceofasoundisaverygoodgametodevelopauditoryawareness.Youwillneedawind-upclockthatmakesanicetickingsound.Holdtheclock,andsayalittletick-tockrhymetoyourbaby.

Tick,tock,tick,tock,Goestheclock,Tick,tock.

Nowputtheclockunderascarf,blanket,ortowel.Askyourchild,“Whereisthetick-tock?”Helpguidehertotheclock,usingthesoundtolocateit.Oncesheunderstandshowtoplaythisgame,shewillwanttodoitagainandagain.


Aninfant’sbraincandiscerneverypossiblesoundineverylanguage.By10months,babieshavefilteredthesoundstheyhearandhavelearnedtofocusonthesoundsoftheirnativelanguage.

WhereIs______?

Sitdownwithyourbaby,andlookatpicturestogether.Findapictureofsomeoneinyourfamily.Talkaboutthepicturebynamingthepersoninit.Saythenameagain,andaskyourbabytopointtothepersoninthepicture.Now,coverupthepicturewithyourhand,andaskyourbabytofindtheperson.Continueplayingthisgamewithanotherpicture.Yourbabymightsurpriseyoubyhowmuchheunderstands!


Awarm,lovingrelationshipwithababystrengthensthebrainconnectionsthathelphimhandleemotions.

ITouch

Thisrhymehelpsyourbabyidentifydifferentpartsofherbody.Haveyourbabystandandholdontoachairoranotherpieceoffurniture.Firstsaytherhymeandpointtoeachpartofyourbody.Next,takeyourbaby’shandandpointtoeachpartofherbodyasyousaytherhymeagain.

I’lltouchmychin,mycheek,mychair.I’lltouchmyhead,myheels,myhair.I’lltouchmyknees,myneck,mynose.ThenI’llbendandtouchmytoes.

Youarealsosayingwordsthatbeginwiththesamesound.


Touchiscriticaltodevelopment!Ofallthesensoryexperiences,touchishowbabiesfirstknowthattheyareloved.

QuitePuzzling

Thisisagoodtimetointroducesimple,basic,andeasy-to-dopuzzles.Provideyourbabywithone-pieceortwo-piecewoodenpuzzleswithknobs.Makesurethepuzzlesareeasytoputtogether.Talktoyourbabyashetriestoputthepuzzlepiecesinthepuzzle.Ifnecessary,helphimputthepuzzletogether.Celebratetogetherwhenyourbabyaccomplishesthetask.


Experiencesthatbeginwithsimpleconceptsandleadtomorecomplexideasandsolutionsarethefoundationforneuralwiring.

ThisIsBill

Sitonthefloorwithyourbabyinyourlap.Holdoneofheranklesineachhandasyousaythefollowingrhyme:

ThisisBill,andthisisJill.Theywentouttoplay.Overandover,(Gentlymoveyourbaby’slegsovereachother.)Overandover,(Gentlymoveyourbaby’slegsoverintheotherdirection.)“Thisisfun,”saidBillandJill.Andthentheysaid,“Hooray!”(Giveyourbabyabighug.)


Positivetouchreleaseshormonesandstimulatesneurotransmittersthatareimportantforcreatingmemoriesandfosteringlearning.

WashtheToy

Wetwashclothsarewonderfulfunforbabies.Thetexturefeelsgoodalloverhisbodyandespeciallyonhisface.Playpeekaboowithawashclothwhengivinghimabath.Tuckasmalltoyinawashcloth,andletyourlittleoneputhisfingersinthefoldsofthewashclothtofindthetoy.Giveyourbabythewashcloth,andlethimwashyourface.Showyourbabyhowtowashoneofhisbathtoyswithawashcloth.Singthefollowingsongtothetuneof“Row,Row,RowYourBoat”:

Wash,wash,washtheball.Getitniceandclean.Scrubby,scrubby,scrubby,scrubby(Helpyourchildwipethetoywiththewashcloth.)Nowit’sniceandclean.


Sensoryexperiencesandsocialinteractionswithinfantsbuildbrainconnectionsforfuturelearning.

AllThingsNewAgain

Wrapafewofyourbaby’sfavoritetoysincolorfulleftoverpiecesofwrappingpaper.Presentthepresentstoyourbaby.Watchandobservehowyourlittleoneusesherhands,eyes,andfocustofindoutwhatishiddenunderthewrappingpaper.Describethetoyandactsurprisedwhenitisfinallyrevealed:“There’syourfavoriteball,”or“Youopenedupthepresentandfoundyourbear.”


Throughtouching,grasping,andmanualmanipulations,infantslearnaboutthefeaturesofpeople,objects,andtheirenvironment.Finemotordevelopmentisnecessarytobeabletofeedanddressoneself.Playingwithstackingrings,largestringingbeads,andpuzzlesoffersopportunitiesforinfantstopracticetheirfinemotorskills.

One,Two,Three,Kick

Showyourlittleonehowyoucanholdontothesideofachairandkickyourlegintheair.Encouragehimtocopyyou.Say,“One,two,three,kick,”andkickyourlegintheaironthewordkick.Listeningforthewordkickisalotoffunforbabies,andkickingalegintotheairdevelopstheirmusclestrength.Kickinfront,kicktotheside,andkickinback.Trycountinginasoftvoiceandsayingthewordkickinabigvoice.


Physicalmovementstimulatesnotonlymuscleandbonedevelopment,butalsobraingrowthanddevelopment.Researchshowsthatphysicalactivitystimulatesthebraintodevelopconnectionsandpathwaysbetweenneurons.Activeneurologicalpathwaysarecriticaltointellectualandcognitivegrowth.

Rolling

Showyourbabyhowtomakeafist.Gentlyrollherfistsovereachotherasifyouweredoingpat-a-cake.Asyourollherfists,saythefollowingrhyme:

Rolling,rolling,littlehands,Rollingdownthestreet.Rollingslowly,(Rollherhandsslowly.)Gettingfaster,(Pickupthespeed.)Roll,roll,roll,roll,roll.(Rollfasterandfaster.)

Endwithabighugandkiss.


Brainresearchshowsthatbabiesneednurturingandsecurerelationships.Theyalsoneedastimulatingenvironmentwithopportunitiesforexploringandforproblemsolving.

SillyAntics

Developinganawarenessofhiscapabilitiesissomethingthatyoucanencourageinyourbaby.Sitonthefloorwithyourbabyfacingyou.Doavarietyofsillythings,andencouragehimtoimitateyou.Herearesomeideas:

Makeafunnyface.Stickoutyourtongue,andmakesillysounds.Moveyourheadindifferentdirections,upanddownandsidetoside.Poundyourfistsonyourchestandyell.Makedifferentanimalsounds.Lieonyourback,andkickyourlegsintheair.Getonyourhandsandknees,andbarklikeadog.

Afteryouhavedoneseveralthingsthatyourbabyhasimitated,repeattheminfrontofamirror.Whenyourbabyseeshimselfdoingtheantics,hewillhaveevenmorefun.


Expressingemotionsactivateschemicalsinthebrainthatheightenmemory.

FunwithStackingToys

Stacking-ringtoyshavelotsofpossibilitiesfordevelopmentalplay.Dependingonyourbaby’sdevelopmentalneedsandskills,encouragehertotryanyofthefollowing:

Stackingtheringslargetosmall,smalltolarge,andanyoldwayThrowingtheringsPuttingtheringsonherfingersPuttingtheringsinhermouthSpinningtherings

Alltoyshavegreatcreativepossibilities.Helpyourbabyseedifferentwaystoplaywithtoys.


Helpingababy’sbraingrowmeansimmersingherinenvironmentsthatareemotionallyandintellectuallyrichandstimulating.

HumptyDumpty

Saythispopularnurseryrhymeasyoubounceyourbabyonyourknees.

HumptyDumptysatonawall.(Bouncebaby.)HumptyDumptyhadagreatfall.(Openyourkneesand,whileholdingyourbabysecurely,lethimslidedowntotheground.)AllthekingshorsesandallthekingsmenCouldn’tputHumptytogetheragain.(Bringbabybackuptoyourknees.)

Giveyourbabyafavoritestuffedanimaltoholdasyouplaythisgame.Thismaygivehimtheideatoplaythegamewithhisstuffedanimal.Whenyouseehimplayingthegame,youknowtherehasbeenaconnectioninthebrain.


Songs,movement,andmusicalgamesofchildhoodhavebeencalledbrilliantneurologicalexercisesthatintroducechildrentospeechpatterns,sensorymotorskills,andessentialmovementskills.

’Roundand’Round

Yourbabyenjoysmuchinteraction.Whetheryourbabyiscrawlingorbeginningtowalk,asimplegameofgoingafterherinatypeofchasewillkeepyourlittleoneexcited.Moveinamannersimilartohowyourbabymoves.Addvocalcalls,sounds,encouragingwords,orothernoisestokeeptheconnection.Ifyourlittleonechoosesto,lethercrawlorwalktochaseyou,too.


Infantslearnaboutthemselvesandtheirworldduringinteractionswithothers.Brainconnectionsthatleadtolatersuccessgrowoutofnurturingandsupportivecare.Thistypeofcarefosterschildren’scuriosity,creativity,andself-confidence.Youngchildrenneedsafety,love,conversation,andastimulatingenvironmenttodevelopandkeep

importantsynapsesinthebrain.

CopyMe

Developinglargemotorskillswillhelpbabiesmakebrainconnections.Doanaction,andaskyourchildtocopyyou.Ifhedoesn’tunderstandwhat“copyme”means,movehisbodytocopywhatyoudo.Trylookinginafull-lengthmirrorasyouplaythisgame.Herearesomeactionsthatyoucando:

Takegiantsteps—ifyourchildisn’twalking,doitcrawling.Takelittlesteps—ifyourchildisn’twalking,doitcrawling.Holdonearmouttotheside,andmakebigcircles.Makecircleswiththeotherarm.Holdalargebeachball,thendropitandpickitup.


Mostscientistsnowagreethatmotorskillsdevelopwhenthebrainhasbeen“wired”forthetaskbylearningandpracticingnewmovements.

Let’sPull

Thisgamedevelopsupper-armstrength,andyourbabywillabsolutelyadoreit.Sitonthefloorfacingyourbaby.Takeoneendofalongscarf,andgivetheotherendtoyourbaby.Startgentlypullingthescarf,andshowyourbabyhowtopullback.Whenshebeginstopullhard,fallover.Thisisoftenhilarioustobabies.Thisgameisexcellentformuscledevelopmentandlotsoffuntoplay.


Thecriticalperiodformusclecontrolbeginsshortlyafterbirth.Thisperiodlaysthefoundationofbraincircuitsdedicatedtomotorcontrol.Physicalactivityisastrongdeterminantintheearlydevelopmentofthebrain.

FastandSlowRhythms

Giveyourbabysomewoodenspoonsorrhythmsticks.Putyourlittleoneinahighchair,orhavehimsitonthefloor.Youshouldhavesomewoodenspoonsorrhythmsticks,too.Singasongsuchas“TheWheelsontheBus,”andtapthestickstothebeatofthesong.Encourageyourbabytotaphissticks,too.Singthesamesongfaster,andtapyoursticksfaster.Singthesongslowly,andtapyoursticksslowly.Yourbabywillenjoywatchingyoutapthesticksfasterandslowerandwillbegintounderstandtheconceptsoffastandslow.


Earlymusicexperiencesincreaseandenhancespatial-temporalreasoningandthelearningofmathematicalconcepts.

MouthSongs

Asyourbabyisdevelopinglanguageskills,shewillenjoydiscoveringallthemanysoundsthatshecanmakewithhermouth.Pickasongthatyourlittleoneenjoyshearing.Somepopularonesare“TheItsy,BitsySpider,”“ThisOldMan,”and“Twinkle,Twinkle,LittleStar.”Singthesongindifferentways.Humit,singitinahighvoice,awhisperingvoice,andanyothervoicethatyouthinkyourchildwillenjoyhearing.Themorewaysyourbabyhearsthissong,themoreshewilltrytocopyyouanddevelopherlanguageskills.


Songs,movement,andmusicalgamesofchildhoodareneurologicalexercisesthathelpchildrenlearnspeechpatternsandmotorskills.

NewZooRevue

Takeyourbabytoazoo,and,ifpossible,toanareawherehecanpetortouchtheanimals.Talktoyourchildabouttheanimalsyousee.Mimicthesoundsthatyouandyourbabyhear.Describethecolors,smells,sights,andsoundsofthezoo.Asmuchaspossible,allowyourbabytointeractwiththeanimalsbypettingortouchingthem.


Whatthefivesensesexperiencehelptheconnectionsthatguidebraindevelopment.Earlyexperienceshaveadecisiveimpactontheactualarchitectureofthebrain.

I’maBigKidNow

Atsomepointyourchildwilloffertocareanddoforyouwhatyouhavebeendoingforher.Asopportunitiespresentthemselves,letyourbabyofferyoufood,attempttowashyourfacewithawashcloth,brushorcombyourhair,ordootherengagingtasks.Talktoyourchildaboutwhatsheisdoing,andbesuretoofferheryourthanks.


Thecircuitsthatforminthebrainfundamentallydecidewhoweare.Ababywhosecoosaremetwithsmilesandhugsratherthanimpassivitywilllikelybecomeemotionallyresponsive.

Changes

Playasimplegamewithyourchild.Itinvolvesaresponseorreactiontoasimpleaction.Puffoutyourcheeksoronecheekwithairand,asyourlittleonepushesonyourpuffed-outcheek,puffouttheotherside.Ifyourlittleonetouchesyournose,openyourmouth.Ifyourbabypatsyourhead,humsomenotes.Providesimpleresponsestointeractionsinitiatedbyyourlittleone.


Theconceptofcauseandeffectiskeytobraindevelopmentinmanyareas,includingyourbaby’sintellectualandsocialdevelopment.

TheTeethRhyme

Thisisoneofthosegamesthatbabieslove.Itisalotoffun!Teachyourbabytoopenhismouthandshowhisteeth.Stickoutyourtongue,andseeifyourlittleonewillcopyyou.Now,rubyourtongueagainstyourupperteeth.Saythefollowingrhyme,anddotheactions:

Fourandtwentywhitehorses,(Pointtoyourteeth.)Standinginastall.Outcamearedbull,(Stickoutyourtongue.)Andlickedthemall.(Lickyourupperteethwithyourtongue.)

Sayitagain,andpointtoyourbaby’steethandtongue.Encourageyourbabytostickouthistongueandtrytolickhisupperteeth.Thiscanbeveryfunny.


Agrowingbodyofscientificevidenceshowsthatthewaybabiesarecaredforwilldeterminenotonlytheiremotionaldevelopment,butalsothedevelopmentoftheirbrainsandtheircentralnervoussystems.Humorisanimportantpartofthatdevelopment.

JackintheBox

Thispopulargamereinforcestheideathatsurprisescanbefun.Makefistswithbothhands,andtuckyourthumbsunderthefingers.Saytherhyme,andonthewords“Yes,Iwill!”popupyourthumbs.

Jackintheboxsitssostill.Won’tyoucomeout?Yes,Iwill!

Helpyourchildmakeafist,andshowherhowtopopupherthumb.Youcanalsoplaythisgamebycrouchingdownandjumpingupat“Yes,Iwill!”


Rhymesandpoemsareneurologicalexercisesthatintroducechildrentospeechpatterns,sensorymotorskills,andvitalmovementstrategies.

BurstingBubbles

Blowbubblesforyourchild.Encourageyourbabytoreachfor,touch,poke,smash,orotherwiseburstthebubbles.Describethesizesandcolorsofthebubbles.Countthebubblesastheyfloataroundtheroom.


Atthisage,babiescanjudgedistanceswell.Theireye-handandeye-bodycoordinationallowsthemtograspandthrowobjectsfairlyaccurately.Perceptionskills,suchasvisualmemoryandvisualdiscrimination,helpbabiesmakesenseoftheirexcitingnewworld.

AStrollerGame

Takeyourbabyoutside,andhelphimsortouttheenvironment.Eventhoughthereismuchtosee,helphimfocusononethingatatime.Pushthestrolleralong,andstopatinterestingthingstotalkabout.Stopatatree,andtalkabouttheleaves.Letyourlittleonetouchtheleaves.Lookforbirdsorsquirrelsinthetrees.Talkaboutjustthreeorfourthingsonyourwalk.Repeatthisexperiencemanytimes,pointingoutthesamethreeorfourthingsbeforeyouaddnewones.


Throughthewonderofpositronemissiontomography(PET)scans,scientistshavelearnedthatthepartofthebrainthatstoresmemoriesbecomesfullyfunctionalat9to10months.

DiscoveringBooks

Readingaloudisawonderfulgiftthatyoucangiveyourchild.Infantsareinterestedinpictures,theshapeofthebook,turningthepages,andholdingandtouchingthebook.Pointtoapicture,andtellwhatitis.Whenyoupointtothesamepictureseveraltimes,yourchildwilllearnthenameoftheobjectorperson.Askyourchild,“Whereisthe_____?”Seeifshewillpointtothepicture.Letyourbabyhold,drop,andturnthepagesofabook.Thiskindofexperimentationsetsthepathforgoodspeechandreading,andoffersspecialtimesbetweenyouandyourchild.Readthesamebookoverandovermanytimes.


Themoreyoutalktoandreadtoyourchild,thestrongerthebrainconnectionsrelatedtolanguagewillbe.Languageiskeytofutureacademicsuccess.

GroceryShopping

Takingyourbabytothesupermarketcanbeapleasantexperience.Herearesomethingstodowithyourbabywhileatthesupermarket:

Pointoutpicturesonthecansandboxes.Showyourbabythefoodsthatheeatsanddrinksathome.Givehimtheopportunitytochoosefamiliarfoods.Lethimputsomeofthefoodsinthegrocerycart.Describefoodsasyouputtheminthecartashot,cold,soft,chewy,crunchy,andsoon.

Theworldoflanguageawaitsyouatyourlocalsupermarket.


Thesizeofababy’svocabularyislargelydeterminedbywhathehearsinthefirstthreeyearsofhislife.Ifyoutalk,sing,andreadtoyourbaby,hehasagreaterchanceofhavingalargervocabularywhenhelearnstospeak.Thebraintunesintothesoundsthatmakeupwordsandthenbuildsconnectionsthatallowittoretrievethesoundsas

vocabularygrows.

MaryMack

Thejump-ropechant“MissMaryMack”isfuntosay,inpart,becausetheendingwordrepeatsthreetimes.Saytherhyme,andonthewordthatrepeats,holdyourbabyandjump.Ifyourbabycanstand,holdheraroundthewaistandhelpherjump.

MissMaryMack,Mack,MackAlldressedinblack,black,blackWithsilverbuttons,buttons,buttonsAlldownherback,back,back.

Saythepoemagain.Onthewordsthatrepeat,pickyourbabyuphighintheair.


Theprimetimeforlanguagelearningisthefirstfewyearsoflife.Childrenneedtohearyoutalking,singing,andreadingtothemduringtheseearlyyears.Respondtotheirbabblingandlanguageefforts.

WhereIsTeddy?

Babiesusuallylovetosearchthefloorfordroppedobjects.Playthisgamewithyourbaby.Holdyourbaby’sfavoriteteddyorstuffedanimalinyourarms,andthengentlydropittothefloor.Askyourbaby,“Whereisteddy?”Encouragehimtomovehisbodytogettheteddy.Ifhe’sshowingyouwithsoundsandgesturesthatteddyisoutofreach,helphimgetteddybybringingitcloseenoughforhimtograb.Thisbuildshisconfidence.Whenheretrievesit,askhim,“Shallwedoitagain?”Walkaroundtheroom,andgentlydropteddytothefloorinadifferentplace.Keepplayingthegameaslongasyourbabyisinterested.Askhimtodropteddy,andyoucanretrieveit.


Babiesneedasafeenvironmenttoexploreinordertodeveloptheirmotorskillsandthebrainconnectionsthatgowiththem.

Yes,ICan

Thisisabathtubgame.Giveyourbabyherowntightlywrung-outwashcloth.Makeupyourownmelody,andchantorsing,“Canyouwashyourface?”Takethebaby’shand,andrubthewashclothgentlyonherface,thensingorchant,“Yes,Ican.Yes,Ican.”Continueplayingthisgameasyounameallpartsofthebody:hands,feet,cheek,nose,ears,andsoon.Nextaskthebabytowashyourface,yourhands,yournose,andsoon.Todrythebaby,playthesamegamebygivingthebabyatowelwithwhichtodryherself.


Providelotsoftimeandopportunitiesforpracticeandrepetition.Fewthingsbuildachild’sbrainandopenavenuesforlearningmorethanconsistentrepetitionofhealthyactivitiesandexperiences.

SinkorFloatGame

Youcanplaythisgameinthebathtuborwithalargecontainerfilledwithwater.Note:Neverleaveyourbabyaloneunattendedinthebathtub,nearacontainerofwater,ornearanywatersource.Youwillalsoneedseveralitemsthatwillsinkorfloatinthewater.Putoneofthefloatingitemsinthewater,andask,“Seehowitfloats?”Nextputasinkableiteminthewater,andsay,“Watchitsinktothebottom.”Repeatwiththeremainingitems,alternatingbetweenthefloatersandsinkers.Letyourchildpickoneoftheitemsandstartexperimenting.Tryothertoystoseeiftheywillsinkorfloat.


Thisisagreatgametodevelopcognitivethinking.Thegrowthofbabies’braincellconnectionsdependsalotontheirenvironmentandtheirexperiences.

LookOut,HereComes_______!

Creatinganobstaclecourseforyourbabywilldevelophiscoordinationandconfidencewhilehelearnstocrawlandwalk.Youcancreateastraight-linecoursebyplacingpillowsandcushionsofvariousheightsbetweentwosolidbarrierssuchasacouchandawall.Placeyourbabyatoneend,andsitattheoppositeendwithatoyinyourhand.Say,“Lookout,herecomes(child’sname)!”andencouragehimtoclimbovereachpillowandcushion.Whenhereachesyou,givehimthetoy,andsay,“Hooray,(child’sname)climbedoverallthepillows!”


Heightawarenessandbalanceareimprovedwiththisgame.Gamesthatencourageinfantstolearncontrolandcoordinationsetthestageforallfurtherdevelopment.Theneuronsare“happy”thattheseskillshavebeenaccomplished.

ReferencesandResourcesBooks

Bergen,D.andJ.Coscia.2001.Brainresearchandearlychildhoodeducation:Implicationsforeducators.Olney,MD:AssociationforChildhoodEducationInternational.Brown,S.2009.Play:Howitshapesthebrain,openstheimagination,andinvigoratesthesoul.NewYork:Penguin.Caine,G.andR.Caine.2009.Makingconnections:Teachingandthehumanbrain.Chicago:Addison-Wesley.CarnegieCorporationofNewYork.1994.Startingpoints:Meetingtheneedsofouryoungestchildren.NewYork:CarnegieCorporation.Eliot,L.1999.What’sgoingoninthere?Howthebrainandminddevelopinthefirstfiveyearsoflife.NewYork:Bantam.Eliot,L.2009.Pinkbrain,bluebrain:Howsmalldifferencesgrowintotroublesomegaps—andwhatwecandoaboutIt.NewYork:MarinerBooks.Elkind,D.2000.Thepowerofplay:Howspontaneous,imaginativeactivitiesleadtohappier,healthierchildren.Cambridge,MA:DaCapoPress.Gardner,H.1983.Framesofmind:Thetheoryofmultipleintelligences.NewYork:BasicBooks.Gerhardt,S.2004.Whylovematters:Howaffectionshapesababy’sbrain.NewYork:Brunner-Routledge.Goodwin,S.andL.Acredolo.2005.Babyhearts:Aguidetogivingyourchildanemotionalheadstart.NewYork:Bantam.Gopnik,A.,A.N.Meltzoff,P.K.Kuhl.2000.Thescientistinthecrib:Whatearlylearningtellsusaboutthemind.NewYork:HarperCollins.Gordon,M.2005.Therootsofempathy:Changingtheworldchildbychild.Toronto:ThomasAllenPublishers.Hirsh-Pasek,K.andR.M.Golinkoff.2004.Einsteinneverusedflashcards.Emmaus,PA:Rodale.Howard,P.J.1994.Theowners’manualforthebrain:Everydayapplicationsfrommind-brainresearch.Austin,TX:LeornianPress.Kotulak,R.1996.Insidethebrain:Revolutionarydiscoveriesofhowthemindworks.KansasCity,MO:AndrewsandMcMeel.Langer,E.J.1997.Thepowerofmindfullearning.Cambridge,MA:DaCapoPress.Medina,J.2008.Brainrules:12principlesforsurvivingandthrivingatwork,home,andschool.Seattle,WA:PearPress.Medina,J.2010.Brainrulesforbaby:Howtoraiseasmartandhappychildfromzerotofive.Seattle,WA:PearPress.Riley,D.,R.R.SanJuan,J.Klinkner,andA.Ramminger.2008.Social&emotionaldevelopment:Connectingscienceandpracticeinearlychildhoodsettings.St.Paul,MN:RedleafPress.Schiller,P.1999.Startsmart:Buildingbrainpowerintheearlyyears.Beltsville,MD:GryphonHouse.Shore,R.1997.Rethinkingthebrain:Newinsightsintoearlydevelopment.NewYork:FamiliesandWorkInstitute.Silberg,J.2001.Gamestoplaywithbabies,3rdedition.Beltsville,MD:GryphonHouse.Silberg,J.2002.Gamestoplaywithtoddlers,revised.Beltsville,MD:GryphonHouse.Silberg,J.2002.Gamestoplaywithtwoyearolds,revised.Beltsville,MD:GryphonHouse.Silberg,J.2009.Babysmarts:gamesforplayingandlearning.Beltsville,MD:GryphonHouse.Sylwester,R.1995.Acelebrationofneurons:Aneducator’sguidetothehumanbrain.Alexandria,VA:AssociationforSupervisionandCurriculumDevelopment.

WebsitesBetterBrainsforBabies.http://www.fcs.uga.edu/ext/bbbBrainNet.http://www.brainnet.orgTheDanaFoundation.http://www.dana.org/TalarisInstitute.http://www.talaris.orgZerotoThree:NationalCenterforInfants,Toddlers,andFamilies.http://www.zerotothree.org

DVDsandVideosCanyoupasstheall-timegreatparenttest?Chicago:McCormickTribuneFoundation.49min.Brazelton,T.B.2004.10thingseverychildneedsforthebeststartinlife.Kuhl,P.Thelinguisticgeniusofbabies.FilmedOctober2010.TEDvideo,10:18.PostedFebruary2011.http://www.ted.com/talks/patricia_kuhl_the_linguistic_genius_of_babies.htmlPerry,B.“Dr.BrucePerry,childhooddevelopmentonLIVINGSMARTwithPatriciaGras.”YouTubevideo,26:41,fromHoustonPBSLivingSmart,postedby“HoustonPBS,”March15,2010,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vak-iDwZJY8Reiner,R.Thefirstyearslastforever.FromtheIAmYourChildvideoseries.ProducedbyParents’ActionforChildrenandRobReiner.May1,2005.DVD,30min.

ArticlesCaine,R.N.,G.Caine,C.L.McClintic,andK.J.Klimek.2004.12Brain/Mindlearningprinciplesinaction—Oneauthor’spersonaljourney.NewHorizonsforLearning.Highfield,R.2008.Harvard’sbabybrainresearchlab.TheTelegraph,April30.Swidley,N.2007.Rush,littlebaby.BostonGlobe,October28.

IndexAAnticipating

3–6months,566–9months,83–89,94,1029–12months,116,130

Attachmentbirth–3months,353–6months,466–9months,97,105

Auditorydevelopmentbirth–3months,20,283–6months,686–9months,75–79,96,98,1049–12months,109

BBalance

3–6months,47,579–12months,116,139

Balls,61,63,83Bathtime,114,137–138Bedtime,95,99Bells,49,76Bilingualism

birth–3months,306–9months,77,106

Bodyawarenessbirth–3months,16–18,32,26,363–6months,42–44,51,596–9months,80–81,859–12months,111,129,137

Books,99,104,106,133Bouncing,3–6months,50,57–58

CCauseandeffect

3–6months,496–9months,829–12months,128

Chairs,36–37,116Changinghands,3–6months,64Clapping,42–43,52Climbing,6–9months,100,139Comforting,45,95Conversations

3–6months,506–9months,78,100,1039–12months,98–99,106

Coordination,6–9months,116,120,122,135,139Coremuscledevelopment

birth–3months,403–6months,47,55

Crawling3–6months,47,57,61–626–9months,1009–12months,108,121–122,139

Cross-lateralmovementbirth–3months,323–6months,55,58

DDancing,3–6months,72Descriptivelanguage,99,131,132,134Dramaticspeech,59,70Dressingskills,9–12months,85,115Dropping/retrieving,6–9months,82

EEyecontact,birth–3months,14–15,28,37,40Eye-handcoordination

birth–3months,173–6months,64,716–9months,78,919–12months,112,115,117,119,131

FFacialexpressions

birth–3months20,283–6months,686–9months,749–12months,118

Finemotorskillsbirth–3months,173–6months,646–9months,78–79,81–82,90–91,96,99,104,1069–12months,112,115,117,119,130,133,138

Fingerplays6–9months,819–12months,130

G

Gentlestimulation,12,52Grasping

birth–3months,19,323–6months,56,646–9months,78–79,82,90–91,94,96,999–12months,115,119,123,131,136,138

Grossmotordevelopmentbirth–3months,25–27,31,33,36,403–6months,47–51,55,58,61–636–9months,1009–12months,116,118,122–123,130,135

HHeadcontrol,6–9months,103Heightawareness,9–12months,139Humor

birth–3months,203–6months,469–12months,118

KKicking

3–6months,639–12months,116

Kissingbirth–3months,163–6months,64

LLanguagedevelopment

birth–3months,8,14–15,28,30,37–393–6months,43–44,46,51–54,63,65,68,706–9months,77,80–81,91,93,989–12months,108–111,115,125–126,130–135

MMealtimes,6–9months,98Memoryskills

3–6months,58–596–9months,949–12months,110,118,131–132

Mimickingbirth–3months,25,283–6months,46,52,686–9months,849–12months,118,122,126,129

Mirrorplay3–6months,436–9months,749–12months,118,122

Musicplay3–6months,49,56,58,60,726–9months,75–76,78–79,89,92–939–12months,120,124–125

OObjectpermanence

3–6months,42,656–9months,83–84,88–89

Obstaclecourses,9–12months,139Outdoorgames,9–12months,108,131–132Overstimulationbirth–3months,24

3–6months,69

PParentese

birth–3months,15,373–6months,70,72

Patterns6–9months,76,1049–12months,120,125,130

Peekaboogames6–9months,84,88–899–12months,114

Play,83–6months,44,51,55,586–9months,83

Poems“BackandForth,”60“Choo-ChooTrain,”59“Clap,Clap,ClapYourHands,”42“ExerciseIsFun!”36“GoingUptheEscalator,”51“Goodnight,SweetBaby,”95“Hats,Hats,Hats,”21“Hello,Hello,”18“HumptyDumpty,”120“IHaveaLittlePony,”57“ITouch,”111“JackintheBox,”130“MissMaryMack,”135“One,Two,Three,”80“Push,Push,Push,”62“RollingLittleHands,”117“Rum,Tum,Tum,”78“SqueezetheCheese,Louise,Please!”90“TheSwing”byRobertLouisStevenson,60“TeddyBear,TeddyBear,”55“TeethRhyme,”129

“ThisIsBill,”113“Tick,Tock,GoestheClock,”109“ToMarket,ToMarket,”57“TommyThumb,”80“Uppity,Up,”48

Praise3–6months,61,719–12months,112,139

Problemsolving,9–12months,117Puppets,44,84Puzzles,112,115

RRattles,32,64Reaching

birth–3months,17,19,31–323–6months,61,716–9months,78–79,91,94,96,99,1049–12months,133

Reassurance,birth–3months,35

Relaxation,birth–3months,33

Releasing,6–9months,82,96Repetition,8

birth–3months,38–393–6months,48,54,706–9months,99,1049–12months,133,137

Restlessness,birth–3months,19Rhyming

birth–3months,18,306–9months,77,80–819–12months,111,113,129,135

Rhythmsticks,56,124Rhythm

3–6months,56–58,60,72birth–3months,276–9months,78–79,939–12months,124

Rocking,7birth–3months,14,33,393–6months,576–9months,74,95,103

Rolling3–6months,559–12months,108

SScarves,19,21,67,94,109,123Scooting,3–6months,61–62Security

birth–3months,353–6months,456–9months,86,1059–12months,117

Self-confidence3–6months,47,616–9months,105,1189–12months,121,127–128,134,136–137,139

Sensorydevelopmentbirth–3months,16,22,34–353–6months,44,706–9months,91,1049–12months,108,114,120,126,131–132

Shakers,78–79Signing,101,106Singing,7

birth–3months,15,20,25,27,29–30,33,35,39–403–6months,54,606–9months,77–79,81,89,92–93,97,1039–12months,114,120,124–125,135

Sittingup,6–9months,102Skin-to-skincontact,3–6months,13–14,35Social/emotionaldevelopment,8

birth–3months,14,293–6months,45,526–9months,92,979–12months,110,118,127–128

Songs“AreYouSleeping?”89“BaBaBaby-O,”54“Bending,Bending,Bending,”26“ChangeaDiaper,”29“ItsyBitsySpider,”125“OldMacDonaldHadaFarm”79,101“Pop!GoestheWeasel,”56,92“Ride,Ride,RideYourBike,”25“Roll,Roll,RolltheBall,”33“ThisOldMan,”125“Twinkle,Twinkle,LittleStar,”125“WashtheToy,”114“WavetoDaddy,”97“TheWheelsontheBus,”124

Sound/distanceawareness,6–9months,82Spatialawareness,3–6months,63Spatial-temporalreasoningskills,9–12months,124Stackingrings,115,119Stress,8

3–6months,67,69

6–9months,102Stringingbeads,115Stuffedanimals,67,120,136Surprise

6–9months,83,85,87–89,949–12months,115,130

Swinging,3–6months,60

TTakingturns

3–6months,536–9months,88.

Teddybears,55,136Teething,9–12months,129Throwing,9–12months,131Touching,9

birth–3months,12–14,18,22,35,383–6months,44,50–51,59,69–706–9months,80–81,86,91–92,95,104–1059–12months,111,113,115,117

Toys,32,42,61,63,65–66,87,114–115,139Trackingskills

birth–3months,17,19,31–323–6months,42,55,65–67

Tummytimebirth–3months,403–6months,55,61–626–9months,100,103

VVestibularsense,birth–3months,32Visualdevelopment

birth–3months,19–21,23,31–323–6months,42–43,45,49,65,676–9months,749–12months,108,110,131–132

WWalkingskills

3–6months,579–12months,116,121–122,139

Waterplay,9–12months,114,137–138Waving,6–9months,97Woodenspoons,56,78,124

125 brain games - xn--webducation-dbb.com

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