How to Introduce Language and the Arts to a Newborn

Over the years I have seen babies sitting or laying in swings, carriers and bassinets being ignored by parents and other family members until they begin fussing or need to be fed or changed. Scientists and other proponents of Early Brain Development in infants would cringe at this image. However, that philosophy is not the reason for this article. I have just seen first hand the truly wonderful effect of that close emotional attachment between a parent and a newborn.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Hold your baby often. Hold him while bottle feeding rather than laying him down with the bottle propped in his mouths.
2. Talk to your baby when you are holding her, or, if she is in the room with you, about what you are doing at the time and about how much you love her.
3. Play with your baby by moving an object slowly in front of him and letting your baby follow it with his eyes.
4. Read, sing songs, play music, recite nursery rhymes or short poems to your baby. This not only helps strengthen the bond and attachment between you and your baby, it teaches her the sounds and routines of daily life.
5. When feeding your baby or just holding him, look directly into his face so he will learn to recognize both your profile and full face which appear different.
6. Read to your baby beginning at 3-5 minute intervals as she gets older, even if she does not know what a book is yet. If the book is a picture book point to the pictures and say the words.
7. Introduce items with different textures for your baby to play with while you are holding him and talk about how they feel.
8. It is the interaction between you and your child that helps set the stage for the relationship you will have with your child as they get older. And your child will begin to learn, hear, and see the rhythums of language and the world around them.