Great site from Enfamil Okay, we can have a debate on breastfeeding versus formula later, but we highly recommend this site on activities to develop your child's abilities through play. The activities are ordered by age. Here are some of our favorite examples:
ONE MONTH: Show your baby simple objects or pictures with bright colors and patterns, such as the one at right. Try to hold them 8 to 12 inches from her face, since that's where she can focus best.- SEVEN MONTHS: Your baby is creating "spatial memories" of familiar places, like his crib and feeding chair. Help him develop richer memories by switching his position in the crib and moving or turning his feeding chair.
- SEVEN MONTHS: Play simple cause-and-effect games with your baby, letting him be an active partner. Like moving your hands toward him as you count to three, then giving him a good tickle.
Parents as Teachers. We mention this program so many times in this workshop, you are probably thinking we get paid by them to advertise. Actually, we used this program for Spirit Lake Even Start and were very impressed with it, and no, they don't pay us a dime. A couple of areas we recommend here are:
- Parenting Tips section - has advice on everything from helping your child learn to read to sleeping arrangements.
- The importance of developmental screening - explains what it is and why it matters.
- Helping military families - click on this site to listen to a radio program explaining Parents as Teachers and their services to military families in particular.
NEXT : A different but equally important topic, preventing child abuse