Childhood Impressions: Those Important 1st years

I was on a small road trip with my family and we stopped at a station to fuel up and get a bite to eat.  As we entered the convenience store, the girl at the register looked up at me and her face lit up.  She gave me a warm welcome and seemed exceptionally friendly.  When we went to check out, she told me it was so good to see me, calling me by name.  I was surprised and tried to think who she was when she spoke up, "I'm Radonda's, you tended me when I was little?"  I glanced at her name tag and a small flash of memories came to mind.  Once again, I was surprised, I babysat her a couple of times when she was very small.  "Wow, you remember me?", I asked.  She was all smiles, "Yes, I remember you, I loved it when you came over." 

We never know the impressions we are making on little minds and the first 5 years are the most impressionable.  The slightest words and even the attitude we have, they pick up on very quickly and easily.  They may not remember the words we spoke or sometimes, even the small things we did.  But they will always remember the way we made them feel.  To this day, there are people I feel uncomfortable around as I remember them from my childhood, but not exactly where or why.  On the other hand, there have been people I ran into and remembered how much I liked them as a child although I couldn't remember a single thing they did or said.

Interacting with your child is so important.  Babies love the interaction and it makes them so sad when we ignore them.  In this viral TED talk, a seven-year-old demonstrates the importance of interaction with our children.  As a working mother, I spend a lot of time at the computer.  I was amazed as I would spend time interacting with him, then go to sit down at the computer and it would break his heart.  I had to learn to save important things for when he was napping and I would take him on my lap and sing, bounce, or play an educational slideshow for him as I worked.

Take advantage of these precious years.  This is the time to spend with your child teaching, bonding, loving, and learning together.  Research has shown that during these tender first years in their life, the brains of small children are making connections and their personality is developing. What we do and teach them makes a huge impact even on their ability to study and learn when they are older.  Here is a list of things you can do to make the most of this precious time and help their brains to develop wisdom, knowledge, and understanding:

Talking

Talk to your child, express positive thoughts, and always be smiling and approving.  You'll find that for a child that grows up in an environment where you are always smiling and encouraging when they misbehave, a simple frown or look of disapproval is all it takes to reprimand them.  Even if your baby is only 2 weeks old and doesn't understand a thing you're saying, their tiny little brain is making connections as you talk to them.

Reading

Reading to your child is so important in the development of a little brain.  They may not understand what you're saying, but they can feel and they are learning a great deal.  Research has shown that babies that were read to daily, learned to talk and understand at an earlier age.  Check out blog post on reading and my collection of books on my website.

Music

Music is known to increase a baby's intelligence by about 46% compared to children who grew up without music.  It inspires creativity, improves children's motor skills, and enhances communication skills.  Singing to your child or playing an instrument for them does amazing things for them.  As soon as they are old enough, letting them learn how to play a musical instrument is very beneficial.  One exercise that seems to cajole their brain is to sing in a whisper and then sing out loud.  Also, teach them rhythm by tapping your foot or leading in the air with your hand as you sing.

Exercise

Physical exercise increases the flow of oxygen to the brain and increases brain neurotransmitters.  It improves your child's literacy, coordination, and memorization skills.  At least 60 minutes of physical activity a day is recommended.  For a newborn, it can be something like stretches or tummy time.

Self Help

I know how anxious we can be to jump in and help our children when we see them struggling, but sometimes we need to step back and give them a minute to try and figure it out.  Don't ever let it get to the point of frustration for them, but as long as they are trying, they are learning.  Whatever the case may be, taking off a lid, clicking a pen, or even trying to feed themselves, encourage them to help themselves but be right there if they need help.

Consistency

In all things, consistency is key.  Read to them daily.  Sing to them often.  Help them do exercises and stretch regularly.  Give them a chance to help themselves every day.  A little every day is by far more beneficial than a lot once in a while.  It does so much more good to do ten minutes a day than to sporadically do it for an hour in every aspect of child development.

Remember, what we learn with pleasure, we never forget.  Make it fun and the second your child acts like they are not enjoying it, put it away and do something else, whether it's reading a book, singing to your child, or doing some stretches, it has to be something fun for them for it to help them.  Use lots of praise and smiles.  Enjoy the journey!

Is Your Baby on Track? Development Milestones for the First Year

Starting from birth, your baby will start hitting development milestones that will help them learn new skills and grow. By the time they turn one year old, you’ll be able to see whether or not they’re on track with their development. From rolling over to talking and walking, here are the major baby milestones you should watch out for in your child during their first year of life.

Lifting the head

 

It's smart to start monitoring your baby's milestones from the get-go. After all, their little brain is growing at an amazing rate! The first recognizable milestone is lifting the head. You'll likely see your baby do this around two to four weeks old. But don't worry if they're a little late in the game. All babies develop at their own pace.

Learning to roll over

 

Learning to roll over is a huge milestone for your baby to reach. This usually happens around four to six months, and it's a sign that your baby's brain is growing and developing. Rolling over means they can use one arm or leg as leverage to push themselves up onto their side. Sometimes babies will start off with their front facing down before rolling onto their back.

Learning to sit

 

You can help your baby learn to sit by propping them up with pillows or a . Once they have mastered sitting on their own, you can encourage them to explore their surroundings. This is an important milestone because it helps baby develop their muscles and learn how to balance. Plus, it's a smart way to help baby brain development!

Learning to crawl

 

One of the key developmental milestones for babies is learning to crawl. This helps them develop strong muscles and coordination. Here are a few activities you can do to help your baby learn to crawl:
1. Put a toy just out of reach, so your baby has to stretch to get it.
2. Get down on the floor and show your baby how to crawl by crawling yourself.
3. Encourage your baby to move their arms and legs in a crawling motion.

Learning to walk

 

Helping your baby learn to walk is a great way to encourage their brain growth. There are a few things you can do to help them along. First, give them plenty of tummy time to strengthen their muscles. You can also put them in a standing position and hold onto their hands while they try to take steps. Finally, don't forget to praise them when they do take those first steps!

Self-help

 

One of the biggest developmental milestones for babies is learning to do things for themselves. This includes everything from washing themselves to drinking from a cup. It's amazing to see how much they can learn in just a few short months! Baby brain development is also incredible during this time. They start to become aware of themselves and become more aware of their surroundings. All of these milestones are important for your baby's development and growth.

Talking and socializing

 

One of the smartest things you can do for your baby is to read books together. This helps with brain growth and development, and it's a great bonding activity, too. Look for books with bright colors and interesting pictures, and take turns reading each page aloud. You can also help your baby learn to talk by talking to him or her throughout the day, describing what you're doing as you go about your daily activities. Also, be sure to respond when your baby babbles or makes sounds.

Enjoy the first year

 
The first year of your baby's life is an amazing time. You get to watch them grow and change every day. It's important to remember that every baby is different and will reach milestones at their own pace. It's such a joy to track your baby's progress and see how they are growing. Make the most of this special time!