Play with Me: It Helps Me Learn

The Name Game

Purpose of game: This game helps your baby learn that everything has a name. It encourages your baby to imitate the sounds you make when you name objects.

How to play: Let your baby sit in your lap while you hold a magazine. Point out and name objects in the magazine. Point to the object, name it, and say, “See the car" or "Look at the dog.”

While you are pointing, you can ask your baby, “What is that?” Wait a few seconds and then say something like, “That’s a car!”

Your baby will not understand all the words you use. However, he will hear the different tones of your voice. This will help him become more aware of language.

Remember the songs and finger plays you enjoyed as a child? Maybe you remember pat-a-cake, one-two buckle my shoe, and this little piggy. Your baby will have a great time playing these games with you now. And you’ll have fun remembering them!

Helping Curiosity Grow

Researchers have learned that curiosity is very important for success in school. Curiosity is an interest in exploring and finding out more about what happens.

A child who is interested in what is happening around her watches to see what happens and learns from it.

You can’t really teach curiosity with flash cards or similar teaching methods. Young children learn best when they are in charge of their own learning, not when you try to force something on them.

Your child’s first year is a very important time in laying a foundation for a lifetime of curiosity.

You can help your child develop curiosity about her world. Research suggests that encouraging a child to explore is very important. This helps the child develop the curiosity skills needed to answer questions she faces as she gets older. Here are some ideas that you can begin working on right away:

• Ears: Let your child listen to music. Help her make sounds by banging blocks together. Talk and sing to your baby.

• Eyes: Use brightly colored clothes, toys, and room decorations. Show your baby the pictures that hang on your walls and the pictures in books and magazines.

• Touch: Give your child many textures - soft, hard, smooth, and rough. Touch your child and let her touch your skin, hair, and clothing. Tell your baby what she is touching as she touches it.

• Taste: Encourage your child to try new and different foods.

• Smell: Give your baby many chances to smell safe things, such as soap, perfume, food, flowers, and feet.

The child who is curious is a child who is learning. Try to see and hear things as your baby does. Share the experience. When your baby gets excited about something, she probably has had a “wonderful idea” about it. That is what learning is all about!