Congratulations on your newest little one! As a parent, you play the most important role in supporting your newborn's growth and development. Don’t be overwhelmed. You are probably already instinctually doing so many of the activities research shows will nurture your little one's development.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Talk to your baby: Every time your baby hears your voice you are stimulating their brain development. You can talk to them about what you're doing, describe the sights and sounds around you, or simply make silly noises.
- Read to your baby: Reading to your baby helps to expose them to all the sounds of your language and helps to improve their vocabulary -even this young! You can read them picturebooks with beautiful illustrations (which is great for their visual development too). But all reading is reading, so read them your recipe as you cook, sections of the newspaper, or parts of the novel you’re enjoying.
- Play with your baby: Playtime is an important part of your baby's development. You can play simple games, such as peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake, and singing nursery rhymes. You can also provide toys with different shapes, colors, and textures to encourage your baby's exploration and discovery.
- Get physical: Physical activity is important for your baby's overall development. You can gently rock or sway your baby, take them for a walk in a stroller, or engage in gentle exercises, such as tummy time.
- Provide sensory experiences: Babies are constantly learning about the world around them through their senses. You can provide different sensory experiences, such as letting your baby touch and explore different materials, offering different smells and tastes, and exposing them to different sounds and sights.
Check out the activities on the Earlybird app for more suggestions. Download the *FREE* parenting app in the Apple app or Google Play store.
