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Children's brains are growing and changing every day in response to their environment and interactions with people and objects. The brain grows at its fastest rate from birth to age 8. During the earliest years the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for all voluntary thoughts and actions, works to build connections in order to process information and learn. After this period, the cerebral cortex works to pare down these connections to only the needed information. This process is called pruning.
Play teaches babies about the world around them. Early play lays the groundwork for later academic success in science, math and reading. For example, a baby may be given different textured fabrics to play with. Talking to baby about the textures teaches the differences between soft, scratchy, smooth and rough. Providing a small tub of water with different objects that float and sink teaches a baby about the composition of matter and density. Play is an essential component to learning.
The early years are the most important years for brain growth and development. Playing stimulating games with babies will assist in strengthening connections in the brain that will make later learning easier. -
Literacy, or the ability to read and comprehend the written language, can be supported through early play and games.
One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to support early literacy is to read to newborn babies. When people read books, their vocal inflection changes. This change is one of the first keys to reading. Being read to early in life also works to instill a love and curiosity of books and stories for the rest of a person's life. Hold babies so that they can see the pages. As babies become older, they may want to turn pages. Let babies turn pages even before the page is finished. Talk about pictures and the story instead of just reading the text. Book exploration can help a child develop the skills necessary for deciphering contextual clues later on.
Other games that promote early literacy include singing and poetry. Repetitious words and sounds are interesting to young babies and can teach them about rhythm and rhyme. -
The key to playing with babies is talking. Use conversational language to engage babies in play. Reciprocal language is what adults use to hold a conversation with one another, and this can be replicated when talking to babies. Pause after asking a question. Laugh when baby does something funny. Leave time between sentences for baby to interject a gurgle or coo. This will assist in the learning process and become a natural part of playing with baby.
Playing peek-a-boo with a baby builds self-confidence and the idea of object permanence. Even though someone is out of sight, that does not mean that she is gone. This is an important conceptual skill linked to math ability at a later age. Use different colored scarves, fabrics with different textures or blankets of varying weights to add dimension to this game.
Teach a baby body parts with the use of infant massage. Use a mild body oil to stroke slowly and firmly over baby's belly, arms and legs. While passing over these parts, say their names. If baby is in a playful mood, blow on her belly button and talk softly in her ear.
Taking walks with a baby teaches a baby about the surrounding world. Talk about the colors of cars going by. Let baby touch flowers, leaves and blades of grass. Baby will be using all of his senses to learn. The more sensory input, the more connections the brain is making.
