In a world obsessed with faster, better and stronger, it is no surprise that the "do more" philosophy has moved to include our children. Toys abound that promise to make your child smarter in the womb and flashcards for babies are commonplace. But do these gimmicks really work? Just how much can babies younger than a year old learn beyond the basics of sitting up, chewing and, in some cases, walking?
Ann Friedrick, a mother of two from Portland, Ore., wasn't sure just how much her children would learn before they were a year old, but she figured enrichment couldn't hurt. "At that time I didn't know if the activities I was doing would have any effect on my child, but I figured it was a mother's job to try," she says. "I played classical music, offered visually stimulating toys and did a lot of face-to-face verbal engagement."
Friedrick, like most mothers, wasn't trying to create a genius; she just wanted to enrich her child's life in any way she could. But just how much enriching sticks to an infant before age 1?
Do:
- Always listen to Baby.
- Look as if you are listening.
- Be willing to wait for a response.
- Accept the fact that Baby decides whether to respond or not; it is his choice.
- Respond to what he says.
- Welcome enthusiastically every effort Baby makes to talk.
- Assign meanings to the specific sounds that Baby says repeatedly.
- Use real words when talking to Baby.
Don't:
- Use "baby talk" with Baby.
- Ignore Baby.
- Ask a question and leave no time for Baby to answer.
- Neglect to answer him.
- Imitate or make fun of the sounds he makes.
- Correct his pronunciation.
- Try to force him to answer or respond.
Ann Friedrick, a mother of two from Portland, Ore., wasn't sure just how much her children would learn before they were a year old, but she figured enrichment couldn't hurt. "At that time I didn't know if the activities I was doing would have any effect on my child, but I figured it was a mother's job to try," she says. "I played classical music, offered visually stimulating toys and did a lot of face-to-face verbal engagement."
Friedrick, like most mothers, wasn't trying to create a genius; she just wanted to enrich her child's life in any way she could. But just how much enriching sticks to an infant before age 1?
Do:
- Always listen to Baby.
- Look as if you are listening.
- Be willing to wait for a response.
- Accept the fact that Baby decides whether to respond or not; it is his choice.
- Respond to what he says.
- Welcome enthusiastically every effort Baby makes to talk.
- Assign meanings to the specific sounds that Baby says repeatedly.
- Use real words when talking to Baby.
Don't:
- Use "baby talk" with Baby.
- Ignore Baby.
- Ask a question and leave no time for Baby to answer.
- Neglect to answer him.
- Imitate or make fun of the sounds he makes.
- Correct his pronunciation.
- Try to force him to answer or respond.
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tips