15 Tips
Well, I'm sure all of you made time this weekend to read through the Sunday paper, cover to cover, as you leisurely sipped a cup of coffee.
OK, I didn't have that much time either...but I really wanted to. Instead, I scanned the headlines and read the first few paragraphs from stories that looked important.
The one story I did read right down to the end was the USA Weekend cover story titled "Baby Steps: 15 important findings parents much know right now." Some of it may seem painfully obvious to you, such as the need to use a car seat and the benefits of cuddling your kids. But there are other insights, such as the risk of giving your baby too much fluoride and a new vaccine that helps prevent ear infections, that could prove helpful.
My favorite tip is the one that reminds parents about baby's need for playtime. Not structured lessons, just plain old get-on-the-floor-and-break-out-the-blocks time. Nobody can engage your child and stimulate his mind like you can, so remember to make the time to play with him.
As writers, my husband and I try to do everything possible to stimulate our son's mind by allowing him to be creative and think for himself. We play with wooden blocks, stacking rings, instruments and cars, all kinds of cars. He loves to stand over his kitchen set and workshop bench and pretend. Not everything is electronic in our house, although I'm sorry to say so many toys - even books - these days come that way.
We read him books, lots of books, each day. In English and in Spanish. We even give him the newspaper sometimes so he can look at the pictures. (It's a great resource when you run out of conversation with your not-yet-conversant tot.) "Here Hendrick. Look at the man who got indicted today," I'd say, laughing to myself. Then we'd go over his hair color and point to his mouth, ears, nose. We browse through the travel section and I say, "Look at the sunset and palm trees." His favorite, of course, is the Classifieds. He just loves those cars....
Here's the link to the USA Weekend story:
http://www.usaweekend.com/07_issues/070311/070311babies.html
OK, I didn't have that much time either...but I really wanted to. Instead, I scanned the headlines and read the first few paragraphs from stories that looked important.
The one story I did read right down to the end was the USA Weekend cover story titled "Baby Steps: 15 important findings parents much know right now." Some of it may seem painfully obvious to you, such as the need to use a car seat and the benefits of cuddling your kids. But there are other insights, such as the risk of giving your baby too much fluoride and a new vaccine that helps prevent ear infections, that could prove helpful.
My favorite tip is the one that reminds parents about baby's need for playtime. Not structured lessons, just plain old get-on-the-floor-and-break-out-the-blocks time. Nobody can engage your child and stimulate his mind like you can, so remember to make the time to play with him.
As writers, my husband and I try to do everything possible to stimulate our son's mind by allowing him to be creative and think for himself. We play with wooden blocks, stacking rings, instruments and cars, all kinds of cars. He loves to stand over his kitchen set and workshop bench and pretend. Not everything is electronic in our house, although I'm sorry to say so many toys - even books - these days come that way.
We read him books, lots of books, each day. In English and in Spanish. We even give him the newspaper sometimes so he can look at the pictures. (It's a great resource when you run out of conversation with your not-yet-conversant tot.) "Here Hendrick. Look at the man who got indicted today," I'd say, laughing to myself. Then we'd go over his hair color and point to his mouth, ears, nose. We browse through the travel section and I say, "Look at the sunset and palm trees." His favorite, of course, is the Classifieds. He just loves those cars....
Here's the link to the USA Weekend story:
http://www.usaweekend.com/07_issues/070311/070311babies.html
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home