August Born Learning Tip: SAYING GOODBYE
Connection to learning: Leaving your crying child at child care or a babysitter's can be painful. It can help to know that it's quite normal for a young child to cry when a parent leaves. Some children have a harder time than others, which is also normal - we're all different. Here's how you can help:
Tips for all children
Take your child to visit the person or program where you'll be leaving him so the caregiver isn't a complete stranger. Never leave without telling your child. Always say goodbye, even though she may cry. This helps her trust you and become secure.
Make up a "goodbye" routine you follow every day, such as a hug, then blown kisses. This helps your child know what to expect.
For your young baby (birth - 8 months)
Your tiny baby is starting to recognize your voice thus it's even more important to say goodbye. Kiss her/him. Say "bye bye. I'll be back." Your loving words are comforting, and help her/him learn the sounds of language.
For your older baby (9-18 months)
Fear of strangers is common. With baby in your lap, suggest that the "stranger" talk with you while holding a toy the baby can reach. Playing with the toy gives the baby time and space to warm up.
For your toddler
Your toddler knows he is separate from you, which often feels scary. Help him feel closer by hanging a family picture in his cubby. Give choices when you leave. "Do you want kisses, hugs or both?"
For your preschooler
3s and 4s can have a hard time separating, especially in new situations. Get your child a "goodbye notebook." Every day, ask "What do you want me to write?" Give suggestions at first, like "Mommy loves me," or "Mommy will pick me up after nap."
July Born Learning Tip: Wading Pool Play
Note: This tip sheet is for families to use at home. Wading pools are not allowed in child care settings.
Connection to learning: Besides being cool on a hot June day, water play is full of learning opportunities. You can give children new words as they play with water: wet/dry, empty/full, float/sink, etc. When you offer measuring cups and different sized bottles for children to empty and fill, you promote fine motor skills needed for writing.
Children can drown in 2" of water. Keep your eyes and your attention on water play at all times. NEVER leave a child alone.
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
To keep your tiny baby safe, hold him/her in your lap. Pour a little water on a shallow tray and let him/her pat and splash. To the tune of "Row, Row Your Boat," sing "Splash! Splash, Splash the water, gently down the stream, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, you're my favorite dream!"
For your older baby (9-18 months)
Wading pool safety is especially important with your older baby. He's learning to stand, sit, crawl and walk, so get in the pool with him so he can practice his new skills and you can catch him if he slips.
For your toddler
Toddlers learn about size, shape, and amounts by filling and emptying things. Give them clean yogurt containers, plastic cups, and dish soap bottles. Teach body parts by giving them rubber dolls to wash.
For your preschooler
Give your preschooler a container of different household objects - plastic and metal spoons, bottle caps, soap dishes, corks, a small pot. Before putting them in the water, ask, "I wonder what will sink and what will float?"
June Born Learning Tip: Activities to Promote Literacy
Connection to learning: Talking and listening, and reading and writing provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Catching up with family and friends through phone calls or letters, talking about your day with a loved one, and reading a good book or daily newspaper all bring pleasure to our lives. Unfortunately, current research suggests that young children may not be having the early learning experiences they need to become skilled with the tools of literacy: talking and listening, and reading and writing. All of the below activities will inspire children's delight and mastery in the tools of literacy.
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
The development of language skills begins at birth. Infants might not be able to say what they are interested in, so you must observe and pay careful attention to where children look, reach and point. These actions communicate your infant's interests, likes and dislikes. Follow your infant's gaze and talk specifically about what s/he is looking at. This helps strengthen your baby's communication experience as s/he will experience joy and associate these moments with feelings of confidence and security. You will help your baby attach vocabulary to objects simply by pointing to them and naming them. Be sure to sing and talk often to your baby so s/he hears many words.
For your older baby (9-18 months)
Your older baby will follow your gaze and start to use gestures to alert you to her/his needs and interests. In this age range, your older baby plays with sounds and begins to recognize labels. S/he will engage in turn-taking, saying a sound that will be repeated after you say it. Name all objects your older baby points to and encourage her/him to say the words.
For your toddler
Older toddlers focus on actions and attributes. Practice simple songs and rhymes to help build language. Do finger play, take turns and share conversations. Songs and stories that contain rhyming, rhythm and repetition will hold your toddler's attention and help them practice language.
For your preschooler
Your preschool child is ready to engage in pretend play full of detail, with narrative, sequencing and chronology. There is the capacity to dictate stories to you as they start to recognize word patterns. Be sure to sing songs, make up stories and poems, rhymes and introduce new words on a daily basis.
May Born Learning Tip: Taking a Walk
Connection to learning: Taking a walk is good exercise for you and your child, plus it can also be a special time together. Focus on the present moment and being with your child, not on all of the things you have to do when you get back. Look at the walk through your child's eyes. How might a bug or a big crack in the sidewalk look to your child? What sounds do cars or birds make? Is the sun shining? Is it cloudy, warm or cold?
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
Name things that your baby looks at or is interested in - from street and business signs, to animals, flowers, bugs, cars, trucks, people or other sights. Take time to let your baby watch things until his or her interest shifts. Notice how intently your baby studies things.
For your older baby (9-18 months)
Your older baby may want to reach out and touch - the grass, flowers, rocks. Be sure you talk to your child about his/her interests. Be sure to tell him/her the color of each flower and let your child smell the fragrant aromas. You can make a game out of smelling the flowers that is sure to delight your child.
For your toddler
If your toddler likes to run and jump and practice moving around, make games of doing this. Help your child learn to be safe by stopping at corners and driveways and showing him or her how to look both ways for cars.
For your preschooler
Ask questions about what you see on your walk that seems to interest your child. These questions can include the past, present and future. For example, if you and your preschooler see a dog, ask if he or she remembers seeing that dog before, what the dog is doing, or what they think the dog might do if the dog were bigger or smaller, or faster or slower.
April Born Learning Tip: At the Park
Connection to learning: Being in the park can be a time that is restorative, both for you and for your child. It is also a time for you and your child to play and be physically active. What does your child like about being in the park? Is it nature, looking at flowers, or watching the autumn leaves tumble to the ground? Is it the activities, the swings or jungle gyms? Is it other children? Is it all of the above?
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
Notice what delights your child at the park and give your child more of those experiences, whether it's swinging on a baby swing, tossing piles of leaves or sitting in the sand box. Put words to these experiences or make up a song: "What did you do in the park today, dear little girl of mine? I saw another baby in the park today, mama dear mama of mine..."
For your older baby (9-18 months)
Let your older baby show you what he/she is interested in at the park. Your older baby will watch other children, dogs running around, and may try to follow. Let your older baby run around (make sure you follow closely!) and find activities and other things that he/she finds delightful. This may be watching older children play, or watching two people play 'catch'. Of course, your older baby won't be able to keep up with older children, but you can talk to him/her about the activities and do those with your child. Stand about one foot from your child and play catch.
For your toddler
Talk about what your child wants to do at the park and then make a point of doing that. On the way home or later, talk about what you did. This helps your child begin to make choices and plan ahead. Let your child collect little rocks, leaves or other natural things that fascinate him or her. Sorting helps your child learn to form categories by seeing the differences and similarities between objects. Bring along containers for scooping and pouring sand.
For your preschooler
Make plans to meet other friends at the park and discuss those plans in advance. Do you want to meet at the swings or at the climber? If your child likes flowers, talk about their colors and sizes, count them, or ask questions about all the things you could make with them. Stop to watch a bug or a dog and on the way home or at dinner, talk about what you saw.
March Born Learning Tip: Making the Most of Meal Times
Connection to learning: Studies show that meals are one of the most important times to be together as a family. Research on literacy development showed that families who interacted with each other at meal times were more likely to have children with better literacy skills in the school-age years. Family mealtime interaction took place when caregivers extended children's interests, which helped children use language to analyze, sequence, and predict while helping children appreciate the joy of language.
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
Give your baby ordinary kitchen objects, such as plastic cups or wooden spoons, to play with while you are preparing a meal. Make up a silly song about the food you are making as he/she plays and makes 'music'. Be sure to name the foods you are eating as well as the foods your baby loves to eat.
For your older baby (9-18 months)
As you talk to your older baby about the food you are preparing, listen to the sounds and words he/she tries to say. Try to determine what your older baby is trying to communicate and talk to him/her about the food and meal.
For your toddler
Let your young child help make the meal - let him/her tear the lettuce for a salad, put napkins on the table or put the washed fruit on a plate. Ask your toddler to name the foods, and the colors of the foods, you are preparing. Your toddler can make a pretend meal for their toy animal or doll while you prepare a meal for your family.
For your preschooler
Ask your child to tell you a story about their day or tell them a story about yours during mealtime. They should look forward to telling you about their day. Create family traditions at meal times, such as a song that you always sing or a game like "I Spy" that you always play. Ensure your child has the opportunity to talk, listen and take turns.
February Born Learning Tip: Learning on the Go - Traveling in the Car
Connection to learning: Are we there yet? Use the time in the car to enhance your child's natural curiosity and find ways to interact and connect with your child. What interests your child on car trips? Is it looking for signs that you are almost home or it is talking while you are together? Is it repeating new or silly words or sounds? Is it saying nursery rhymes, singing or watching for when the traffic lights change? Rather than finding toys to amuse and distract your child, use driving time to connect and enjoy being together. Here are some ways to do that:
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
Use car travel as a time to sing. Play a tape or CD or sing songs you know or love. You can also make up songs about what you are seeing along the road, or sing along with the radio. Singing about everyday activities helps children enjoy the sounds of language, and helps babies begin to associate words with good experiences. Singing also creates a sense of togetherness.
For your older baby (9 - 18 months)
Think of yourself as your child's greatest plaything. Your voice, your face, the things you do and your actions are the things that intrigue him/her the most. Children have a natural curiosity for the things humans do. Remember, you and your time are the most valuable gifts you can give to your child. Talk to your older baby and as they 'babble' back to you, pronounce their words correctly. This helps them remember and speak the correct words.
For your toddler
If your toddler likes trucks, look for trucks as you drive along and see who can yell out "truck" first. Listen to what your toddler says and repeat his/her words, adding new words or rhyming with words he/she says. The games help children learn to watch carefully and to categorize.
For your preschooler
Use car time to talk about your child's day. Ask specific questions ("Did you draw in preschool?" or "Did you eat a cheese sandwich?") rather than general ones ("How was your day?") because they are easier for young children to answer. Help your child talk about past experiences to enhance memory. Talk with your child about where you are going in the future ("We are going to the market on the way home") to help him or her develop thinking and planning skills.
January Born Learning Tip: Creating Regular Routines
Connection to learning: Routines work wonders. Creating regular routines helps your child learn what to expect at various times. It is easy to establish regular routines with everyday activities such as feeding, sleeping, bathing and playtime. Regular routines provide comfort to children, help them feel safe and secure, and make being a parent a little easier. Here are some ways to create regular routines for young children:
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
Talk to your baby as you do something so they hear your words. When getting your infant ready for bed, tell him/her that "first we wash up and change your diaper. Then, we change into pajamas." Your bedtime routine may also include singing a song, playing with a mobile, reading a book and/or hugging and kissing goodnight.
For your older baby (9 – 18 months)
Do things in order and talk about what you are doing. Older babies can help you as you (for instance) dress them: "First we put on a diaper, then an undershirt, then a shirt. Socks go on before shoes. Once we are dressed for the inside, we can put on our coats to go outside." Your older baby will start to learn what to expect and what comes before something else.
For your toddler
Start establishing regular times for meals and going to bed. Create, for example, a regular routine of hand washing prior to all meals, and ensure there is quiet time before bed time to help your child calm down and relax. Your child will learn to anticipate.
For your preschooler
Words that show transition help with the establishment of regular routines. Say "In five minutes, we will go out, so we must clean up your toys. After the toys are put away, we will get ready to put our coats on." Your child learns what to expect and that there is an order to varous routines.
December Born Learning Tip:
Holiday Stress Management
Connection to learning: Maintaining schedules at home and in programs is a tough balancing act that becomes even tougher at holiday time when all the excitement can have a negative impact on children. If staff and/or parents are experiencing an increase in stress, then so are the children. Children reflect the mood of the classroom/household and the ideas and values presented to them. If the staff/parents are spinning out of control, the kids will spin out of control, too. Here are some ways to emphasize the fun and enjoyment holidays can bring while maintaining normalcy for young children.
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
Preserve and protect routines. Stick to your normal routine as much as possible. It's often hard to take time out of busy holiday preparations, but a walk, a trip to a playground or play area, or whatever else you usually do with your infant each day can be a great stress reducer.Talk with your infant about the holiday and the family traditions and rituals that you follow. Family traditions are what we recall as adults - not the gifts we got. Help your infant know what traditions the holiday season brings by creating wonderful, stress-free memories that they will carry with them for a lifetime and pass own to their own children someday.
For your older baby (9 – 18 months)
Hands down laughter is still the number one way to relieve stress at any age. Laugh it up with your baby and their mood will shift from bad to good in no time. Laughter is still the best way to beat stress and change everyone's mood from bad to good. Take time to create dances to music, make puppets and create a puppet show or sing songs with silly lyrics.
For your toddler
Use stress reducing techniques. Instead of telling your child to go "calm down" this holiday season, give them the tools they need to manage stress and anxiety. If you see your children beginning to get stressed, try to spend some quiet time with them before the situation gets out of control. Stop for a snack, a game or a few minutes of reading before rejoining the holiday activities.
For your preschooler
De-emphasize television. Much holiday programming seems to be designed to get children all worked up about the holidays. Choose special holiday programs that you can watch together as a family. Limit the amount of time kids play video games and encourage physical activity and interaction with peers. Children who are experiencing some stress usually need more physical activity. Encourage your kids to bundle up and get outside to run around, play on the playground or toss a ball with friends.
November Born Learning Tip: Increasing Literacy Skills with Children
Connection to learning: Good literacy beginnings help to ensure children's later success as readers and writers. Literacy can include the creation of trusting relationships, two-way communication, exploration and play to figure out how things work, as well as the enjoyment of stories, books, rhymes, and songs. Children who hear lots of stories become the best readers. Read and talk to your children every day. Children who hear lots of words have an easier time learning how to read.
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
Talk with your infant every single day when they eat, play and when you change their diapers. Your infant will learn to make and recognize the sounds of speech. Talking with your infant in a leisurely, intimate setting gives your child a pleasurable experience that will have a lasting impression on her/him.
For your older baby (9 – 18 months)
Your baby is starting to learn the names of things, like 'broccoli' and 'apricots' and 'mozzarella cheese', 'Tyrannosaurus Rex' and 'great big red block', as well as place words like 'up' and 'down' and 'over'. Your baby learns that someone s/he trusts will listen.
For your toddler
Sitting on your lap with a picture book, pointing to and 'talking' about the pictures, hearing and 'reading' stories, hearing and trying out rhymes and songs, and talking about related experiences are all great ways to ensure your child tries out the sound of written language. Your child starts to build a concept of story and forms the notion that sounds, words and pictures connect in the personally meaningful and satisfying process of storybook reading and storytelling.
For your preschooler
Your child is more than ready to turn pages, recognize some letters and words and know that stories and rhymes and songs are fun. Select a topic and let your child make up and tell you a story. This uses vocabulary and imagination and will delight your child.
October Born Learning Tip: Making Grocery Shopping Fun
Connection to learning: Ensuring you and your child are prepared and ready for that shopping trip helps both of you have a more enjoyable time. Here are some ways to help make your trip to the grocery store fun and a learning opportunity for your child.
When grocery shopping with children of all ages, be sure you bring a toy or book that will keep your child busy and learning while you shop. Plan trips when your child is rested and not hungry.
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
Make the most of routines. Do things in order when you get to the store, and explain each step to your infant. Say “First we will find a grocery cart. Then we will look for some bananas.”
For your older baby (9 – 18 months)
Show your baby an item, then talk about it. Pick up a pear and say “Do you know what this is?” Pause and then say “It’s a pear. Pears are fruits. Pears are green, yellow or brown. Pears are sweet and yummy.” Let your baby hold or touch the pear.
For your toddler
You meet lots of people at the grocery store. Say “hello” and “thank you” to the people at the bakery or deli counter. Then ask your child to say “hello”, “thank you” and “goodbye.”
For your preschooler
Set up a signal that it is time to go. Let your child hold your wallet or a card at the checkout. Older children can help unload items from your cart.
By creating routines, you help your child to know what will happen at the store. Knowing what to expect helps your child feel safe and secure.
September Born Learning Tip:
Creating a Learning Environment
Connection to learning: Preparing an environment that helps your child learn and explore can be an exciting time for both parent and child. Here are some ways to help make your environment conducive to learning.
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
Your tiny infant will taste, touch, look at, listen to and smell everything. Most objects will end up in the baby’s mouth because that’s where the most nerve endings are. Ensure that everything you give the infant to learn from and play with is safe for her to put in her mouth, bang, push and throw.
For your older baby (9 – 18 months)
Mobile infants still use their senses to learn and will creep, crawl, pull themselves up and maybe even waddle. Be sure to provide lots of safe floor space to move on, and sturdy things to pull themselves up on. Lock away any ‘no-no’ that the infant can reach.
For your toddler
Your toddler is very active and wants to explore everything by climbing, jumping or running with increasing skill. Toddlers practice new skills again and again. Set up safe indoor and outdoor environments that allow toddlers to explore safely and use their large muscles. Plan activities that let toddlers practice familiar skills and apply them to new tasks.
For your preschooler
3s and 4s enjoy role playing and make-believe play. They respond well to praise and encouragement. Provide opportunities for children to talk about their own work and develop pride in their accomplishments.
June Born Learning Tips: Wading Pool Play.
Note: This tip sheet is for families to use at home.
Wading pools are not allowed in child care settings.
Connection to learning: Besides being cool on a hot June day, water play is full of learning opportunities. You can give children new words as they play with water: wet/dry, empty/full, float/sink, etc. When you offer measuring cups and different sized bottles for children to empty and fill, you promote fine motor skills needed for writing.
Children can drown in 2” of water. Keep your eyes and your attention on water play at all times. NEVER leave a child alone.
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
To keep your tiny baby safe, hold her in your lap. Pour a little water on a shallow tray and let her pat and splash. To the tune of “Row, Row Your Boat,” sing “Splash! Splash, Splash the water, gently down the stream, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, you’re my favorite dream!”
For your older baby
Wading pool safety is especially important with your older baby. He’s learning to stand, sit, crawl and walk, so get in the pool with him so he can practice his new skills and you can catch him if he slips.
For toddlers
Toddlers learn about size, shape, and amounts by filling and emptying things. Give them clean yogurt containers, plastic cups, and dish soap bottles. Teach body parts by giving them rubber dolls to wash.
For preschool children
Give your preschooler a container of different household objects - plastic and metal spoons, bottle caps, soap dishes, corks, a small pot. Before putting them in the water, ask, “I wonder what will sink and what will float?”
May Born Learning Tips: Open-Ended Art Experiences
Connection to learning: An open-ended art activity means that there is no end product in mind, such as a butterfly, or a filled-in coloring book page. Because there is no right or wrong end product, open-ended art experiences offer creative freedom and help children feel good about themselves.
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
You introduce your young baby to art when you talk with him about pretty things he’s looking at or grabbing for, like the colorful scarf you’re wearing. “You like my sparkly hot pink scarf, don’t you?”
For your older baby (9 – 18 months)
Tape a piece of paper to your baby’s highchair tray to keep it from sliding off. Hold up two jumbo crayons and ask: “Which color do you want, __ or __?” Name the color of the crayon she takes, and let her color. You can also let her finger paint on the highchair tray.
For your toddler
Make play-dough with your toddler by mixing 3 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water and ¼ cup salad oil. You teach math as you measure and count ingredients together. You promote eye-hand coordination when you let her help you knead the dough. You teach new words when you describe what you are doing, and name the ingredients and the things you give her to use as tools once the dough is ready to play with – such as spoons, a garlic press, and a potato masher.
For your preschooler
Give your preschool child magic markers, crayons and colored pencils to draw with and a variety of surfaces to draw on: typing paper, construction paper, paper plates, envelopes, and paper grocery bags. Let him choose what and how he wants to draw. Invite him to tell you about his drawing, and ask if he wants you to write what he tells you as a story or label for the picture.
April Born Learning Tips:
Celebrate Spring -Talk About It!
Connection to learning:
Young children learn with all their senses: sight, smell, hearing, touching and tasting. Spring begs us to share its delights with children – to help them see yellow daffodils & purple crocuses, smell lilacs, feel soft new grass, and listen to robins chirping. Sharing words about spring is a gift you give to your child.
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
Take your baby for a nature walk in a park, your back yard, or down a leafy block. If. possible, put her in a baby sling facing out. Talk about what she is seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling – new leaves, birds singing, the sweet smell of flowers, the warm sun on her skin.
For your older baby (9 – 18 months)
Hold your older baby up and let him bat at leaves on trees. Let him crawl on the grass. Talk with him about what he is looking at, or touching: “that yellow flower is a dandelion.” Babies this age learn by putting everything in their mouths, so watch carefully, and bring along things he can chew on, like rattles, and teething rings.
For your toddler
To help your toddler develop large motor skills and vocabulary, play the following game in the back yard or at the park. Chant: “Lets jump on the green grass, green grass, green grass. Let’s jump on the green grass, and now sit down!” Repeat with other growing things, like: “Run to the pink flowers,” or “Pat the tree bark”.
For your preschooler
Play “I spy with my little eye” using natural things you see, hear and smell. “I spy with my little eye something purple.” “I smell with my little nose something sweet.” (lilacs) Let her take a turn and you guess.
March Born Learning Tips:
Talking Teaches!
Connection to learning: A newborn’s first cry is almost like talking - “I’m alive! I’m here! I’m ready to learn!” Research tells us that helping a baby learn language is quite simple. Develop a warm, loving relationship, respond promptly to baby’s cues, and talk. Talk playfully when baby wants to play, soothingly when baby is upset, and descriptively when baby looks at something.
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
You teach your newborn the back and forth of conversations when you imitate her coos. Babies also need to hear real words as well as “coos”, so talk about everything you do and everything your baby does: “I’m washing your tummy now, and you’re kicking your legs to beat the band!”
For your older baby (9 – 18 months)
Babies learn vocabulary best when we describe what they are focusing on, so give your older baby words for what he is pointing to, touching, or playing with. “You’re really shaking those measuring spoons. Are you going to bake me a cake?”
For your toddler
When your toddler says: “Baby seep.” expand her language by repeating what she said and adding new words. ”Yes, the baby’s sleeping. Shhh! Lets not wake her up!”
For your preschooler
Describe things and parts of things. Ask questions and then talk about the answers. “I’m sliding my ATM card into the slot with the arrow pointing down. Do you think the machine will give us any ten-dollar bills, or just twenties?”
February Born Learning Tip:
Helping Children Say Goodbye
Connection to learning: Leaving your crying child at child care or a babysitter’s can be painful. It can help to know that it’s quite normal for a young child to cry when a parent leaves. Some children have a harder time than others, which is also normal – we’re all different. Here’s how you can help:
Tips for all children
- Take your child to visit the person or program where you’ll be leaving him so the caregiver isn’t a complete stranger.
- Never leave without telling your child. Always say goodbye, even though she may cry. This helps her trust you and become secure.
- Make up a “goodbye” routine you follow every day, such as a hug, then blown kisses. This helps your child know what to expect.
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
- Your tiny baby recognizes your face, your voice, and your scent. However, she’s too young to understand that you’re leaving her, so she may not cry when you go. Still, kiss her and say “Bye bye. I’ll be back.” Your loving words help her learn language.
For your older baby (9 – 18 months)
- Fear of strangers is common. With baby in your lap, suggest that the “stranger” talk with you while holding a toy the baby can reach. Playing with the toy gives the baby time and space to warm up.
For your toddler
- Your toddler knows he is separate from you, which often feels scary. Help him feel closer by hanging a family picture in his cubby. Give choices when you leave. “Do you want kisses, hugs or both?”
For your preschooler
- 3s and 4s can have a hard time separating, especially in new situations. Get your child a “Goodbye notebook.” Every day, ask “What do you want me to write?” Give suggestions at first, like “Mommy loves me,” or “Mommy will pick me up after nap.”
January Born Learning Tip:
Going to the Doctor
Connection to learning: When you stay calm at the doctors, you are teaching your child to relax. When you explain what the doctor is doing, you give your child words to help her understand. When you are honest about a shot hurting, you are teaching your child to trust.
For your very young baby (birth to 8 months)
- In addition to crying after a shot, many newborns cry at the doctor’s office because they are undressed and exposed instead snug and warm inside the womb. If possible, hold your baby’s hand, or stroke her forehead. Crooning or talking can help your baby know you are close.
For your older baby (6 – 18 months)
- At about 8 months, many babies become fearful around strangers. Ask the doctor if you can hold your baby during the exam. Even though your baby can’t talk, he learns language and feels comforted when you explain what is happening “Dr. Copeland is going to listen to your heart now. That’s his stethoscope.”
For your toddler
- Pretend play can help your toddler after getting her shots. You can buy a toy doctor’s kit, or make a “needle” from cardboard. Let your toddler be the “doctor,” and invite her to give you a “shot.” Pretend to cry “WAAAA!,” then talk about how it hurt, but its all better now.
For your preschooler
- Older children are often scared of going to the doctor because they remember that shots hurt. You help your preschooler when you honestly explain what will happen. “Dr. Copeland is going to give you two shots today.” Reading books to your child about going to the doctor helps answer questions and calm fears.
December Born Learning Tip:
Getting Dressed
Connection to learning: Dressing provides one-on-one time with your child and a golden opportunity to give your child new words: on, off, over - red, pink, blue - plaid, stripes, corduroy - arms, legs, and tummy! Every word you give your child is a gift!
For your young baby (birth to 8 months)
Tell your very new baby what you are doing: “I’m taking off your wet diaper. OHH! There’s you tummy! Now I’m putting on a new diaper so you’ll be dry and comfortable.”
For your older baby (9 – 18 months)
Your older baby is just learning to move, crawl, waddle about– and may fuss while you dress him. Tip: Try to do it quickly! Ask him to “help” by holding something such as a diaper or his socks. Explain: “I know you want to play. Lets see how fast we can get your striped shirt over your head and your red pants on.”
For your toddler
Expect your toddler to say “ME DO IT”! This means she is learning to be independent. Avoid power struggles by offering her choices (two only – more will get her overwhelmed) “Do you want to wear your pink dress, or your favorite blue princess dress?”
For your preschooler
By around age four, your preschool child will be able to dress independently, but may need help with tying shoes and buttoning small buttons. Talking about the past and the future are pre-reading skills. Teach them by asking questions like: “Grandma got you that dinosaur shirt for your birthday. Do you want to wear it when we visit her on Sunday?”
October Born Learning Tip of the Month:
Sleep
Healthy sleep provides brainpower and fuels a child’s growth and development. It enables the mind to stay alert, increasing a child’s ability to learn, concentrate and adapt to new situations. There are times during the day and night when a child’s brain will become less alert. These are the best times for a child to be soothed to sleep. Bedtime should follow a schedule. For example, bath, teeth brushing, bedtime story, nightlight, kiss good night and sleep. A consistent schedule helps children learn to go to sleep by themselves.
September Born Learning Tip of the Month:
Doing Laundry
Connect:You can make children a part of this everyday task in ways that are fun for you and your child.
Watch and listen: Look at your child to see what he or she is interested in. Is your baby curious about how the clothes feel? Does your toddler like to take clothes in and out of the laundry basket? Is your preschooler interested in sorting clothes by color?
Extend:
For your baby
- Just because your baby doesn’t talk, doesn’t mean he or she isn’t learning language. Follow your child’s gaze to see what seems to intrigue him or her. Try to see this experience through his or her eyes. Then talk to your child about what they’re watching or what you’re doing: “Now I’m putting the clothes in the washing machine…or “here goes the soap” or “you’re watching the clothes spinning in the dryer.” Children whose caring adults connect language to their everyday experiences learn to speak, communicate and read better.
For your toddler
- If your toddler likes to take clothes in and out of the laundry basket, have him or her help you put the clothes into the washer and dryer. Ask questions like “Can you find the pants and put them in the dryer?” Or, name colors together. These activities can be fun and help build language and thinking skills.
For your preschooler
- If your child likes to sort things, have him or her make piles of the light clothes and the dark clothes. Older children can also help by finding matching pairs of socks, or finding all of the shirts to put into a pile for folding. These activities can build math and cooperation skills. Feeling useful also helps children feel good, which encourages them to continue to want to be helpful.
August Born Learning Tip of the Month:
At the Park
Connect: Being in the park can be a time that is restorative, both for you and for your child. It is also a time for you and your child to play and be physically active.
Watch and listen: What does your child like about being in the park? Is it nature, looking at flowers, or watching the autumn leaves tumble to the ground? Is it the activities, the swings or jungle gyms? Is it other children? Is it all of the above?
Extend:
For your baby
- Notice what delights your child at the park and give your child more of those experiences, whether it swinging on a baby swing, tossing piles of leaves or sitting in the sand box. Put words to these experiences or make up a song: “What did you do in the park today, dear little girl of mine? I saw another baby in the park today, mama dear mama of mine…”
For your toddler
- Talk about what your child wants to do at the park and then make a point of doing that. Then talk about what you did on the way home. This helps your child begin to make choices and plan ahead.
Let your child collect little rocks, leaves or other natural things that fascinate him or her. Sorting helps your child learn to form categories, by seeing the differences and similarities between objects. Bring along containers for scooping and pouring sand.
For your preschooler
- Make plans to meet other friends at the park and discuss those plans in advance. Do you want to meet at the swings or at the climber?
- If your child likes flowers, talk about their colors and sizes, count them, or ask questions about all the things you could make with them. Or stop to watch a bug or a dog and talk about what you saw later
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