What's the best way to mentally stimulate your baby? It doesn't take a genius. Just a loving, involved parent. With some fun ideas and practical tips, you can help your baby be smart, intelligent and creative. Using everyday things and some smart parenting tips, you too can do just that.
Here are 20 ideas for fun and simple things you can do to boost your baby's IQ.
1. READ A BOOK
Even before babies can understand what you are reading, "They will associate reading with cuddling and love," Clinard says. Infants are especially drawn to books with real pictures, she adds.
2. CUDDLE AWAY
Human brains are wired to seek safety, and if a baby's brain doesn't feel safe, it can't learn. The love and cuddling you give your baby can help establish her sense of security. "From the time a child is born, that soft and loving voice, and soft touch speaks to children so much," Clinard says.
3. SING
Nursery rhymes, TV jingles or your favourite top 40 hits - babies love to hear you sing.
4. MAKE EYE CONTACT
Gaze into your newborn's eyes. Within a week, infants can recognise their parents' faces, and every time he stares at you he is building his memory and learning how to recognise facial expressions.
5. NARRATE YOUR DAY
Talk to your baby - a lot. Research has shown that the greater number of words children hear from their parents and caregivers before age 3, the higher their IQ. Tell them what you are doing, what you are thinking and what they are seeing.
6. USE THE RIGHT TONE
That baby-friendly, higher-pitched tone that many parents instinctively use has a purpose.
7. COUNT ALOUD
When you wash your baby's hands and feet in the tub, count his fingers and toes aloud. Count his toys with him, or, when he is older, the Cheerios he is learning to self-feed. Soon enough, he will join in.
8. POINT YOUR FINGER
Research shows that children learn language faster if you point to an object while saying the word.
9. BREAST-FEED, IF YOU CAN
Research has found a small but clear link between breast-feeding and cognitive development. So if you can, breast-feed exclusively through age 6 months and continue at least partial breast-feeding until age 1.
10. TURN OFF THE TV
Stick to real people until 18 months, and after age 18 months, if they are going to watch anything online, watch and view it with them, and talk about what you are seeing.
11. RESPOND TO YOUR BABY'S NEEDS IN A TIMELY MANNER
When a baby cries, she is communicating a need for something like comfort, food or a diaper change.
12. GIVE HER A CHOICE
Even a 3- to 5-month-old baby has opinions. Show her two books or two toys and watch which one she seems drawn to look at or touch, Clinard says.
13. TICKLE HIS TOES
Playing games like "this little piggy" with his toes teaches your child to anticipate events.
14. GIVE HIM A BREAK
Watch your baby for signs of over-stimulation. If he is looking away, don't force it. Give him downtime on the floor without music or bright lights so he can amuse himself, play quietly or crawl.
15. GET OUT
Maybe it is a puppet show at the library, a breezy day at the park or a stroll through the zoo.
15 Simple Ways To Make Your Baby Smarter]
