Early learning (Learning from birth to pre-school)
The aim of this programme is to allow your baby to achieve his full genetic and intellectual potential by giving him the best possible start in life.
An early learning programme encourages learning through stimulation from birth to about 3 years of age. Numerous research studies confirm that the first three years of life are the most critical for the intellectual and emotional development of an infant.
Before you start you must be aware that it is important not to stress your baby.
Don't bombard him with constant stimulation for hours at a time. You must remember that babies need quiet periods too: at birth they sleep up to 20 hours a day and by 12 months they are sleeping 12 hours a day. Don’t overdo the activities if you see baby is getting distressed or bored just stop. When you get frustrated because your baby keeps throwing objects, or just plays with the box or wrapping paper rather than the toy, try to remember; he is trying to figure out how the world works.
More importantly this should be fun for you and your baby – don’t make this a chore. Setting up a routine should make this easier.
Sometimes it is essential to just relax and ‘chill-out’ together. This can be precious time, sit in a rocking chair or sit quietly talking or singing softly.
There is only a brief window of opportunity to provide the supportive, stimulating environment that will give your baby the best possible start in life. It is said that by the age of 5 years old a child’s basic personality traits are set.
Babies love to learn and the brain is the only organ with the capacity that gets ‘fitter’ the more you put into it. And the more it wants. So do it.
You should start these programmes from birth.
Parents play an important part in this development process; they are the best ‘teachers’.
Another benefit of following these programmes is that using these stimulation techniques can also help with father’s attachment and bonding with the newborn baby. bonding and parenting
Activities to promote early learning
The techniques are quite simple; they use sight, sound and touch or combinations of these. There are a number of programmes that involve these elements of stimulation. You can follow the established programmes from; Glenn Doman who founded ‘The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential’, or, Makoto Shichida who has founded over 300 ‘Shichida Child Academies’ in Japan, the unique educational system devised by Dr. Maria Montessori, or a system of movements called ‘Brain Gym’ that was born out of studies carried out by Paul E. Dennison in the late 1960’s. For a further explanation of these programmes, early learning programme reference books
Or you can choose a system that suits you and your baby. The basic elements of some of these have been distilled below:
SIGHT
A baby’s vision develops gradually. At birth he cannot focus fully, seeing an outline is an effort, making out detail is very difficult. At first, baby’s major ability is to be able to distinguish light from dark. Moving objects are difficult to track.
Focus is limited to about 8 to 12 inches, which, by no coincidence, is about the same distance as mother to baby (face to face) whilst breastfeeding. Baby will not focus on mother’s mouth or nose but her eyes where there is a contrast between the pupil and the whites of the eye. Eye to eye contact is important.
Visual stimulation is paramount at this stage; high contrast images will help to stimulate visual pathways, for associated products. Buy visual development products
At 2 to 4 months babies develop a preference for bright primary colours and by 6 to 8 months vision is nearly as fully developed as an adult. Baby will be able to see across a room.
Visual stimulation can produce developmental advantages including enhanced curiosity, attentiveness and concentration.
So if you are starting from birth the emphasis should be developing the basic visual pathways; images should be bold and contrasting – black and white.
This visual stimulation can take various forms; -
Mobiles – high contrast image mobiles are available to hang directly over baby, these are ideal for early visual development. Buy high contrast mobiles
Or you could just hang toys approximately 12 to 18 inches above him in the cot or whilst he is lying on the floor, or even provide images whilst in the car. These are all times where your baby can be visually stimulated.
Flashcards – are a very versatile tool and can be used to develop a number of different areas of learning. They can take many forms but initial ones must be very basic in nature.
You can make your own basic visual stimulation cards, download your own visual stimulation cards.
There are a number of developmental programs for encyclopaedic knowledge, maths and language development. These programmes involve flashcards or images, auditory stimulation and movement to provide different experiences. For more information on these development programmes, To shop for associated products - Click here.
You can follow a basic maths development program from birth that will concentrate on basic visual pathway development. From birth to about 12 weeks your baby will be still developing his visual pathways. maths development programme download. (basic)
From about 3 months when vision is more developed you can follow a more in-depth maths programme. This starts with the development of an understanding of quantity or volumes before you move on to numerals. maths development programme download (3 months +).
Flashcards are also very useful in the development of reading and language skills. It is recognised that phonics is the best way to introduce the alphabet and words to babies and infants.
Research shows that young children benefit from being shown flashcards such as phonograms, word cards and maths cards, if sessions are happy, relaxed and brief, and cards are presented quickly.
You can buy ready-made ones, or make your own. Buy flashcards
Images – these should be quite basic at first with contrasting images such as black & white and then primary colours. Following on with pictures and images so that you can describe and discuss objects, animals, transport (the world is your oyster), this can lead to a broad knowledge and awareness of our world.
Books – from birth books would need to be very basic, with contrasting imagery. These can later develop into the forms where baby can ‘feel’ a book as well as ‘read’ it. Baby can explore with his eyes, hands and even his mouth. This will expose him to various textures and get him used to handling books from a very early age. Show your baby simple picture books, discuss and describe the images. Books are a very simple way to ‘play’ and learn with your baby.
Buy early reading books.
This is also a good time to introduce a new language through books.
SOUND
Your baby can hear from birth. In fact his ears are fully developed by the 20th week of gestation. Although his hearing is fully developed by the end of first month it takes longer to appreciate and understand all of the different sounds he is listening to. But by 5 months after birth he will be able to distinguish the source and direction of sounds.
His hearing can be stimulated in a number of ways:
Using voice
Talk to your baby often with a kind, normal intonation of voice (not baby speak) using a wide range of vocabulary, and a lot of expression. When he makes a sound, repeat it and smile at him.
Tell him what you are doing etc. If you have already chosen a name for your child, use this when addressing him so that he starts to recognise it.
Get family members to greet your baby as well as you - for example when dad comes home from work in the evening, or a brother or sister arrives home from school.
You can speak other languages from birth although your baby may not start to distinguish properly until about 4 months. It is possible for children to master multiple languages; they are after all, having to learn their mother-tongue, why not add another one? This is the best time for them to learn a new language. You can also play language tapes at home or in the car even just as a background, so he gets to recognise the different sounds.
Buy singalong music CD's.
You can talk while you are changing or carrying your baby, even while you are doing your housework. Indeed, changing time is an ideal time to show maths or other flashcards to baby. While you are out walking or ‘wearing’ your baby, you can point out animals in the environment, say its name and tell him the sound that it makes. All these different associations are building a bank of experiences and knowledge.
Your baby will try to communicate. Even crying is a form of communication, you may start to recognise the different cries and sounds. When he does try to talk or babble mimic him, he will love it and it will encourage him. Don’t forget to praise him when is trying to communicate or work things out.
Reading books aloud early on can help your baby’s brain develop language connections even though he might not be able to follow the story. Reading helps develop listening skills; the combination of pictures and the sound of your voice will be very stimulating; he will love it and it will help him build a lifelong love of books. If you stay ‘cocooned’ with your baby whilst reading he will love the safe, secure loving environment.
You can read your favourite rhyming poetry, verse and nursery rhymes; this will introduce rhythms and patterns in language (essential for speech and language development).
Sing to your baby, especially repetitive songs and chants. You can sing along to your favourite music.
Using music
Play music to your baby, it is best to choose simple tunes that you like and play them regularly. You can play clapping games to encourage motor skills.
If you have a musical instrument, or even just a cheap, toy keyboard, play musical scales to your baby so he learns to recognise different notes. Melodies and different note patterns are good stimulation.
Play classical music for your baby (Mozart's music and other classical music has been found to stimulate the same neurons in the brain that are later used for mathematics because of the patterns in the sounds). Buy classical music CD's
TOUCH
Touch is the most developed of the senses at birth. Babies love to be touched, massaged and cuddled; it probably reminds them of the secure and safe environment that they felt in the womb. From about 4 to 12 months they will feel the need to explore, they love to touch and feel with their hands, it is one of the main ways of exploring their new world.
Even by putting things into their mouths they are feeling and tasting; all are adding to their experiences. Ensure that toys and other playthings are safe for play activities.
Some things you can try include:
Massage – you can try regular and rhythmic stroking of your baby while you are talking to him, you do not need to be a massage expert. Just soft gentle touching will soothe your baby. Natural chemicals are released in a child’s brain as a response to parents’ warm hugs and kisses, and skin to skin contact (as in breastfeeding).
Bonding information.
Researchers have discovered that premature babies that were massaged grew faster, cried less and were released earlier from hospital.
Rocking – rocking and cuddling in a rocking chair provides a relaxing experience for mother and baby. This is particularly relevant during breastfeeding it is a good time to ‘chill’ and get to know each other. A breastfeeding cushion can be invaluable it provides a soft, safe place for baby to lie while you breastfeed; it can even (if used in conjunction with a chair with arms) relieve your arms and shoulders and allow you to stroke or massge your baby.
‘Wear’ your baby - babies whose mothers or fathers ‘ wear’ them in baby carriers are calmer and cry less, it facilitates bonding. They can also be very practical ways of transporting your baby outside and sometimes even inside the house; especially when you are doing housework. This is a very good way to let your baby experience different surroundings: go for walks, take him places, show him the sites! But at the same time he is close to you and safe.
Buy baby carriers.
Play – babies need to explore for themselves and they love to explore with you.
Maria Montessori famous for the establishment of her unique educational system, said: “play is the work of a child”.
It is through play and the senses of touch, sound, sight, taste and smell that they gain new experiences; learn new ideas, build muscle control and strength, use their imagination, solve problems and later on to socialise and cooperate with others.
Give your baby safe soft toys to explore with his mouth and hands, this will allow him to learn about textures and develop motor skills and manipulation. But always remember to provide a safe environment for your baby to explore.
Give baby lots of different things to touch. Buy early baby toys and developmental aids.
You are your baby’s best toy - you can develop their potential and your relationship together by being attentive and active in their learning and play.
These programs are as much about being with your baby and infant and forming a closer relationship, as they are learning. Your child will come to know that they can rely on you for support and comfort, which can lead to a ‘well-rounded’ confident child. One of the most important factors in providing this learning environment is you, not just as a teacher but also as a parent.
Respond to your baby’s requests (these could be in the form of cries) without hesitation but with love, affection and attentiveness, these are very real needs. Well meaning people may give you advice that it is better to let him cry because "he has to learn who is boss" and "you cannot let him get his own way" but such well mean't advice may leave your baby wondering why you do not respond to his requests and may reduce his feelings of security. Indeed, it could leave him confused and even more fretful.
Tell your baby you love him, he will soon learn what it means.
Make sure your baby’s world is safe and secure. Respond lovingly and consistently to your baby's cries. Stress can slow brain development.
Don’t forget – feed your brain
Nutrition makes a big difference in brain development even before the baby is born. And because of the rapid pace of myelination in early life, mum-to-be and infants need to maintain good levels of essential fatty acids in their diets, until at least about two years of age. Myelination is very important; it is the process of laying the protective coating (myelin) over the nerve fibres that carry impulses to and from brain cells. After birth breast milk is the best source of liquid nutrition into the toddler years. If a baby is not breast-fed they may need to add these essential fatty acids to their diet.
Breastfeeding - more information
Diet & Nutrition - more information
Benefits of Essential Fatty Acids - more information
Diet for optimal brain development -more information
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