Learning and your baby’s development can start right from day one. Early intervention can help your child with their developmental process based on their different stages. Here’s a short outline of how you can aid and support your baby’s development and get them on a strong path.
Language & Communication: Babies express their needs and feelings through sound and body movements. By age one your baby will using a few words and by three they’ll be able to speak in short sentences.
Take time to learn how your child communicates through verbal or non-verbal cues
A fun way for your child to learn is through stories and singing songs
Repeat words and different sounds for your child to mimic
As you are playing or performing a task talk about it to help introduce following directions and build vocabulary
Self-Confidence: This may be one of the most important aspects of your toddler’s development. If they are confident in themselves they will take an active role in learning and taking on new challenges.
Reinforce positive reactions when your child does well
Encourage your child to perform a task for themselves such as putting away a toy, making a bed, or pour a small glass of milk
Give your child the support to solve a problem themselves then offer praise for completing the task
Make sure you are prompting your child to keep trying if they don’t succeed the first time
Thinking Skills: Children learn by playing and interacting which teaches them how to think and solve problems.
Encourage your children to use toys differently to learn what sounds they make or how they can be used beyond their purpose
Make routine tasks into learning or teachable moments, for example at bathtime teach difference between wet & dry, etc
Pay attention to what excites your child and teach them through those interests
For older children ask questions about what they are hearing in a story or descriptive questions about an activity they are performing
Self-Control: During this stage managing feelings and actions can be a challenge as your child is still learning appropriate ways of expression.
Introduce descriptive words to help your child understand what they are feeling
Offer choices to your toddlers to help reinforce cause and effect
Difficult as it can be sometimes, stay calm when your child is upset. They will take a cue from your reactions
With early intervention, taking small steps early in life will help jumpstart your child’s development process. To learn how you and your child can benefit from the Help Me Grow program, call 419-221-1385.
Source: ZerotoThree.org “Everyday Ways to Support your Baby’s and Toddler’s Early Learning”