Early Learning Tools
Babies need skills to learn, just as older children need tools to learn. A baby must learn fine and gross motor skills, learn cause-and-effect correlation, learn how to interact with others and learn basics like speaking and listening comprehension. Since babies have the ability to learn a large amount of information at a young age it is best to give a baby a variety of tools to learn the aforementioned skills.
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Flashcards
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Babies' minds are virtual sponges for absorbing new information. Using flashcards can assist a baby in learning letters, words and verbal skills. Large, colorful flashcards are best for babies, and sticking with only one letter, color or object on each card will make comprehension easier. Parents should go through five to 10 flashcards at a time, slowly stating the letter, color or object while pointing to it on the card. Repeat the process daily until the baby seems familiar with the item on the card.
Toys
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Whether toys are wooden or plastic, the main purpose of a toy is to stimulate and and entertain babies. Most babies like toys that are brightly colored, play music or make a noise, have a cause and effect and something that is pleasant to put in the mouth. Most babies test out toys by putting them to their mouth, so toys must be nontoxic. Popular baby toys include blocks, sorting cubes with a variety of shapes, baby rattles, balls and musical toys. A combination of toys that provide the baby a chance to use her motor skills and toys that make noise or play music are best.
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Books
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Books teach babies valuable language skills. The more a parent reads to her infants, the more words the infant will learn. Babies love to be spoken to, and the rhythm of a children's book is ideal for teaching them patterns in speech and how to make sounds themselves. Besides teaching speech and literacy skills to a baby, story time creates a great time to cuddle on a parent's lap, which babies love to do.
Music
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Dr. Diane Bales claims that children who grow up listening to music develop strong music-related connections. Strong music connections help to improve spatial reasoning, make learning a musical instrument easier and improve overall thinking skills. Playing music for a baby, singing to a baby, singing with a child and starting music lessons at a young age will help to increase all of these skills. Babies also love being sung to, as it can relax them and make them feel comforted.
Playgroups
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Babies love to look at faces, and meeting other babies and parents will stimulate their curiosity and increase their social development. Babies can learn how to play, interact with other children and learn to use their voice when they spend time with their peers. Babies will learn to imitate other babies and assist babies in becoming more independent. Independent babies are less likely to have separation anxiety or distress when their parents are not around.
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