One of the first things that comes to mind when thinking about brain development is language. As a child grows older, we can notice more complex thoughts and feelings, and there is a lot we can do to help develop skills that will help our children communicate and learn. When you talk, read, and sing with your child, you are assisting them in learning even before they can use words. According to research, talking, reading, and singing with your child every day from birth helps them develop their brains. Talk, read, and sing with your child in the language with which you are most comfortable. The more words and conversations you have together, the better they will be prepared to learn.
Talk about what you see wherever you go. You might find a stop sign, a traffic light, or a tree boring, but it's a whole new world to your child, so teach them about it! Young children learn best when they are engaged in fun, everyday activities. Play "I-Spy" in the grocery store with your friends. Choose a color and ask your child to point out objects that match it. Play bath time games to help your child learn new words. Toss toys into the water in turn. "Watch it sink!" or "Watch it float!"
Reading is done by pointing to pictures, letters, and numbers in books. As you discuss the book, ask open-ended questions. "What do you notice? What is his state of mind? What would you do if you were in her shoes? "Which page is your favorite?" Allow your child to turn the pages of the book. It's fine if they skip pages or prefer certain pages over others. You simply want your child to become accustomed to handling books.
Sing while doing everyday things like driving or taking a bath. It can be simple and repetitive, such as "Wash your toes, wash your nose!" Children can learn basic math skills by singing songs with basic counting or rhyming patterns. "One, two, fasten my shoe." "Open the door, three, four." Your toddler enjoys receiving positive attention from you. Singing is an excellent activity for you and your toddler to do together.
