step one

Connections

Your interactions with your infant are the first neural pathways to learning that they will form outside of the womb. Every time you gaze into their eyes or speak to them lovingly, millions of brain connections are formed.

That's why parents and all early childhood educators need to be respected and honored for their importance to society. By spending time communicating and playing with infants, we are teaching them about language, expression, feelings, attention, and self-regulation.

These interactions nurture the brain's basic infrastructure, which is ultimately responsible for everything they learn throughout their lives.

The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard calls that type of back-and-forth communication "serve and return". You can read exactly how to do it in our free Baby Brain Toolkit/Curriculum here.

step two

Songs

Sing short rhyming songs often at predictable times during the day. Use singing as part of your routines.

Make a list of the cute little songs you sing and share them with others who care for your child. If you can't imagine singing, you can always use chanting rhymes and finger plays.

ideas

Hickory Dickory Dock

Twinkle Twinkle

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

ABC's

Open Shut Them

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe

Mr. Sun

Combine these songs with predictable movements, and you've got the perfect pre-reading activity for infants and toddlers. The more often you connect with your infant in a reciprocal way, the more rapidly their brains develop.

step three

Books

Short, catchy, rhyming Books work best. Use this as an opportunity for emotional bonding. Have fun with books.

Tips for kids who don't sit still

•  read to them in their car seat

•  read to them when they're in their high chair

•  Let them hold another book while you read one

•  Use indestructible baby books

• Make sure they see you read for enjoyment and information

•  Read books before they sleep.

•  Read to another child while they mill about.

•  Let them see you read often.

• Talk about great books with enthusiasm.

Sometimes reading to kids can feel like a chore. Especially when we're tired or have other concerns on our minds. Try your best to be in the moment and use it as your (15 or 5) minutes of fame. Read the book like you're on stage.

You'll stay awake, and the kids will start to appreciate a good story.

Bonus!!

Click here for a list of Girl-Power Books for the Very Young.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you got some information that will be helpful to you!

Nanci J Bradley is an early childhood and family educator, author, teacher, family aerobics instructor, and all-around fun-loving person. She believes in the power of sleep, healthy eating, lifelong learning, and most of all, PLAY! She studied early childhood education at Triton College and received her BS in education from NIU in 1986. She received her MA in human development from Pacific Oaks College in 2011. She lives and teaches in Madison WI.