You
don't have to be a child development expert to give your baby a great
start in life. Recent research confirms what we've known all along:
love, attention and basic care are all your baby really needs and wants.
To help your baby reach their full potential, follow these eight simple
steps.
Show your love
Hard scientific evidence shows that love, attention and affection in
the first years of life have a direct and measurable impact on a child's
physical, mental and emotional growth. How do you show your love? Hug,
touch, smile, encourage, listen to and play with your little one whenever
you can. It's also important to answer their cries immediately, especially
in the first year, when experts say it's impossible to spoil a child.
Care for your child's
basic needs
 Your
baby needs all the good health and energy they can muster for learning
and growing. Take them in for regular well-baby checkups and keep their
immunizations up to date. Help your baby get plenty of shut-eye. During
REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, your baby's brain cells are making important
connections that enable all learning, movement and thought. They are
the keys to your baby understanding all they are seeing, hearing, tasting,
touching and smelling as he explores the world. For proper physical
and mental development, make sure their diet is adequate in protein,
vitamins and minerals, and neither too low nor too high in calories.
Tend to your baby's physical comfort promptly. Be sensitive to the fact
that they're too warm or that their diaper is wet.
Talk to your child
Research shows that children whose parents spoke to them extensively
as babies have significantly higher IQs and richer vocabularies than
kids who didn't receive much verbal stimulation. You can start as early
as during your pregnancy, so your baby gets used to the sound of your
voice. Once your child is born, talk to them as you diaper, feed or
bathe them. They'll respond better if they know the words are directed
at them, so try to look at your baby while you're speaking. Try to avoid
baby talk, though. Once in a while it's okay, but your baby can develop
good language skills only if you speak to them correctly.
Read to your child
Next to talking, reading out loud is one of the most important things
you can do to help build your child's vocabulary, stimulate their imagination
and improve their language skills. It also gives you an opportunity
to cuddle and socialize. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends
reading aloud daily to your child, starting at age six months, about
the time when they'll really begin to enjoy looking at books with you.
Stimulate all his senses
Studies show that children who grow up in an enriched environment—where
they are presented with new experiences that engage their senses—have
larger, more active brains than those who grow up without adequate sensory
stimulation.
1. Provide a variety of toys and other objects.
2. Sing the lyrics to your favorite lullabies.
3. Play interactive games such as peek-a-boo and pattycake.
4. Go on walks and shopping trips together.
5. Let your baby meet new people.
Even your simplest daily activities will stimulate your baby's brain
development. It's also important to give your child room to roam. To
develop strong muscles, good balance and coordination, babies need plenty
of space to crawl, cruise and eventually walk. They'll also benefit
from safe spaces where they can explore their surroundings without hearing
"no" or "don't touch."
Encourage new challenges
It's important not to frustrate your child with toys and activities
that are way beyond his abilities, but a little struggling goes a long
way toward self-improvement. When an activity doesn't come easily to
your baby, they have to figure out a new way to accomplish the task.
That type of problem-solving is the stuff better brains are made of.
Take care of yourself
Parents who are depressed or upset are often unable to respond swiftly
and sensitively to their child's needs. One study found that children
whose mothers were chronically and clinically depressed had abnormal
patterns of brain activity, suggesting that the children also suffered
from depression. Seek advice about coping with postpartum depression,
and talk with your caregiver any time you think you may be struggling
with depression. If you're feeling drained, find ways to divide the
household and parenting responsibilities with your partner. If you're
a single parent, surround yourself with people who can offer you help
and support. And don't forget to treat yourself to some time alone once
in a while.
Find good childcare
If you work, a quality childcare provider is essential to your baby's
healthy development. You'll want to find someone who can do all the
things mentioned above when you're not around. Whether your childcare
provider is a nanny, a relative or a daycare worker, she should be experienced,
caring and reputable, with love and energy to help your baby thrive.
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