1. Young Brains are Like Sponges
Research shows that from birth to the age of 3 are the most important years for development and future learning. Brain development actually slows down after the age of 7. By the age of 12, a child's brain has already accustomed itself to learning habits or lack thereof. Some Japanese societies begin counting the fingers and toes of newborn infants as early as the first day of life. Any early stimulation will frame the reactions of the brain for pre-adolescent and early adult learning.
2. Hug Your Kid
An infant's responsiveness to learning is directly proportionate to how much he is cuddled, held and talked with. A child who is left to cry in a crib or neglected will switch into survival mode when he should be exploring his surroundings with curiosity and joy. A strong feeling of trust that a parent is protecting the infant allows the child to develop her personality, likes and dislikes and take natural risks with out fear of getting hurt or being abandoned.
3. Every day is Learning Day
Most of a parent's day is filled with mundane activity like picking up toys and cleaning spit up. Consciously choose to fit learning times into the day by using those mundane moments as a reminder. For example, why not sing the ABC's at every diaper change? Every time you go up or down a set of stairs, count them out loud. Count jumps on the bed or peas on the plate. At the stoplight, "Green means go." At the grocery store, point out the letters and the colors. Soon your child will start to do this on her own even when you're not there.
4. Read and Read Some More
You should start reading to your child as early as you like. Books with songs in them like, "Little Bunny Foo Foo" or "Old McDonald" will keep your child's interest and allow them to learn by repetition. Instead of just hearing the song they are also seeing the pictures. Begin to point out letters early. Books that have all A objects on one page and so on, will solidify each letter. Choose a few pages a night and repeat them for the next several days. You might get bored but your child won't.
5. Play Time is Learn Time
You can set your mode early. Educational toys are a must if children are to learn on their own. Musical phones, blocks, puzzles, electronic learning boards are all great ways to increase tactile and visual stimulation. Even stacking and knocking over Tupperware or filling them with Cheerios is fascinating to a child and will get their brains accustomed to cause and effect.
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