QC Family Focus: November 2015

Kelly Jacobsen
LSI, Family Intake Assessment Worker
8 November 2015 - QC Family Focus
5 Simple Tips For Helping
Your Baby Develop
Did you know you are your child’s first and best teacher? Even simple things like singing a song,
cuddling or reading a book can help nurture your baby’s healthy growth and development. Here are five
activities you can do to help your baby’s
progress:
1. Talk to your baby. You are
your child’s greatest exposure to language
acquisition. Narrating your day can help
your baby begin building vocabulary.
Tell your baby when you are going to
do something, like “We are going to get
dressed now.” You can also describe what
your baby is doing. For example, you can
say, “I see you smiling.” Talking with your
baby can be a simple and easy part of your
routine, such as singing a song during a
diaper change.
2. Read to your baby. Even reading
a book just several times a week can
improve your baby’s vocabulary. Choose
board books with colorful pictures, soft
textures or simple words and rhymes. With
your baby in your lap, enjoy some together
time with a favorite book.
3. Introduce your baby to herself.
Use a mirror to point out your baby’s nose,
ears, eyes and mouth. Babies love seeing
themselves, and it will help your baby
begin to label the world around her. She’ll
also learn to focus and track images.
4. Find simple toys around the
house. Banging on a pot with a wooden
spoon or knocking down a tower of plastic
food storage containers can be a big hit for a
baby and help him or her build basic motor
skills.
5. Change your baby’s view. Offer
your baby new and interesting things he or
she can look at with you. Carry your baby
around the room and point out pictures or
objects.