Your child's development during her early years determines a lot later in life. Babies are born with more than 1 billion brain cells. However, the connections between these cells happen only after birth. These connections later dictate how your child feels, thinks and behaves. There are many things that parents can do to stimulate a baby's brain development, even during the first few months in life.
Talk, Talk, Talk
Face-to-face interaction with your child helps promote brain connections required for language skills. Talk, sing or coo to your child every opportunity you get. Explain what you are doing or ask her questions. Read picture books often to your child and point out different things you see. Talking to your child regularly also helps teach her the social skill of how to take turns in conversations.
Bright Visual Cues
At 2 months, babies like bright, shiny and colorful things. At this age, children really enjoy looking at images and objects with sharp color contrast. Try hanging bright objects around your baby's surroundings. Make a homemade colorful mobile out of bright yellow, red, blue and green objects and hang it above your child's crib. Make sure that it is out of reach.
Baby's Reflection
Around this age, babies love to look at themselves in a mirror. Place a mirror approximately 8 inches in front of your baby's face. Even though she does not realize she is looking at her reflection, she will be amazed at what she sees, since to her, everything she does, will get an immediate response from the person looking back. Looking in the mirror helps your child learn how to focus and figure out what her face can do.
Tummy Time
By 2 months, your baby is able to hold her head up. Place her on her stomach for a few minutes several times a day. According to BabyCenter, providing daily tummy time to your child from early on helps her learn how to roll over, sit up and eventually crawl. Failing to provide tummy time can cause delays in your child's motor skills development.
References
- Triple P Tip Sheet Infants: Promoting Development; Carol Markie-Dadds, et al.; 2008
- The University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences; Building Baby's Brain: The Basics; Diane Bales, Ph.D.; 1998
- BabyCenter: Tummy time: How to Help Your Baby Get Comfortable on His Belly
- What to Expect: Why Babies Love Mirrors
