YOUR baby’s brain develops fastest in the first five years of their life – so it’s the perfect time to help them learn with games, giggles and song.
There are lots of things parents can do to enhance their little one’s development. Every tune, story and cuddle can make a difference for understanding language, listening, building co-ordination and memory, and much more.
And when you consider that 90 per cent of your child’s brain growth happens before they reach the age of five, it’s worth putting in the time for fun learning now to give them the best start in life. This will also greatly benefit them in later life.
Beautician Jane Flitts, 29, would agree with that – the sound games she plays with daughter Lexie, seven months, are helping improve her communication skills.
Lexie loves copying and mimicking sounds Jane makes and often copies if she pulls faces.
“If I poke my tongue out, Lexie will always copy me. When she turned six months, she started copying me if I smiled or laughed too,” explains Jane, from Guildford, Surrey.
“Now she is babbling away lots and will always copy if I make a sound – it’s the cutest thing.
“I know she’ll grow up fast but I’ll treasure these little moments I have with her for ever. It’s great to know it’s helping her learn, too.”
Alexandra Meyer is looking forward to baby Lando learning to sing her nursery rhymes
Alexandra Meyer, 32, from Hampshire, appreciates the power of song for learning.
She makes sure her 11-month-old son Lando faces her when they go for a walk in the buggy, so he can see her face when she chats with him and sings.
“I love to talk and sing nursery rhymes to him. Our favourites are One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Once I Caught a Fish Alive and I Can Sing a Rainbow, which teaches him his colours,” says Alexandra, who is also mum to Minna, two.
“I repeat them a lot so hopefully as he grows older he’ll start to remember them and he can sing them back to me.”
Here are seven ways to have fun with little ones that will help them learn.
MAKING EYE CONTACT
When your newborn’s eyes are open, take a moment to look right into them. Babies can recognise faces early on, and yours is the most important.
From day one, babies can respond to eye contact and they will recognise the voices they hear most often.
By seeing facial expressions and watching how mouths move as they make sounds, they will begin to learn about language. Get up close and let them watch your face as you talk.
Catching your baby’s eye as you talk is a way of teaching them about language
SINGING SONGS
Singing to your baby will constantly introduce them to new words, and help prepare them to communicate when they’re older.
It’s also a great method for building memory because as children grow, they’ll start to recall lyrics and tunes.
The songs don’t have to be nursery rhymes, just tunes you know and love. Throw in some actions too and this will help your child’s co-ordination, and gross and fine motor skills, as well as their ability to focus.
“I sing to my 11-month-old, Charlie, all the time. Not only nursery rhymes but I make up songs about what we are doing,” reveals music therapist Marianne Rizkallah, 35, from North London.
“So I sing along about us making tea, or getting on the bus. I even make up songs using his babbling words, which he loves.”
For NHS tips, advice and support at every stage of your child’s early development, sign up to the really useful, free Start for Life emails. You’ll receive regular personalised emails tailored to your child’s age.
WATER PLAY
For parents, bath time is about cleaning up after a busy day but for babies, it offers all the excitement of a water park.
Let your baby fill and empty cups of water and play with ducks or boats in the bath.
This is one of the easiest ways to teach your child about simple science and maths concepts such as empty and full, floating and sinking. Plus you get to have a cuddle while drying them off afterwards.
PEEK-A-BOO
Playing peek-a-boo for just a few minutes a day has benefits for your tiny one. Even though you’re only hiding your head for just a moment, this game is great practice for saying goodbye in other settings and could ease separation anxiety later – when they start nursery, for example.
Playing disappearing and reappearing games, such as find the missing toy, will also provide endless fun for little ones.
Having a tickle with your tiny one will help them develop a sense of humour
TICKLING THEIR TOES AND TUMMY
In fact, tickle them all over. Learning to laugh is the first step towards developing a sense of humour.
And telling your child “I’m going to get you!” before tickling their tummy or playing This Little Piggy helps them to anticipate events.
BEING TOUCHY FEELY
Keep a box of differently textured fabrics such as silk, terrycloth, wool and linen.
Gently rub each one on your baby’s cheek, feet and tummy, describing how it feels, and let them touch the materials too. This sensory play helps babies learn about the world around them.
Plumber Glenn Jones plays texture games with Sophie, his nine-month-old. “Sophie loves feeling different materials, especially if it’s really soft and fluffy and feels like an animal.
“She loves muslin, tea towels and even playing with balls of wool,” says Glenn, 33, from Manchester.
GOING OUTDOORS
Getting out and about is good for your wellbeing as a parent but there are also plenty of new things for baby to watch out and listen for, helping them make sense of the world they live in.
Long before they can talk, babies are learning all the time and their brains are constantly making new connections. So when you’re out, whether simply for a stroll or to enjoy a picnic in the park, describe all the things your child is seeing around them, from the birds to the clouds and the trees.
Find support, free resources, helpful ideas, activities and learning materials on the Start for Life website