| The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has | | | | play a CD, but babies prefer your not-so-perfect |
| made it clear that television viewing by children | | | | singing voice and find it more soothing than any |
| under the age of two is not recommended. Tell | | | | classical music CD. Take that, Mozart! |
| that to parents who are the targets of | | | | Dancing--They don't call them bouncing baby boys |
| marketers promoting DVDs and television | | | | for nothing! Babies love movement--boys AND |
| programming claiming to transform babies into | | | | girls for that matter. For older toddlers, encourage |
| geniuses! However, AAP continues to assert its | | | | them shake their little booties by demonstrating a |
| opinion that TV may adversely affect a child's | | | | few of your dance moves. Dancing is fun and |
| development during these critical early years. So, | | | | teaches them that moving is a good thing--a |
| what's better than so-called "genius" videos? | | | | lifetime lesson that will help prevent a sedentary |
| That's easy! There are plenty of activities for | | | | lifestyle as they get older. |
| parents and their little ones that will help to enrich | | | | Talking--You may not completely understand each |
| their baby's mind, create a stronger body, and | | | | other yet, but talking to baby teaches them basic |
| encourage parent-baby bonding. | | | | language skills, which is a complex feat! In fact, |
| Reading--It is never too early to introduce a child | | | | some researchers believe that talking to babies |
| to the wonderful world of reading! Babies love | | | | can actually improve their language development |
| looking at the bold, colorful images in picture | | | | because they pick up speech patterns during |
| books and can never get enough of hearing mom | | | | conversations with mom and dad. If you don't |
| or dad's voice. The cadence of a parent's voice | | | | have much to say, simply narrating what you're |
| reading a nursery rhyme can be soothing to a | | | | doing is a great way to interact with baby. |
| fussy baby. High-contrast pictures, especially those | | | | Breathing--Breathing fresh air, that is. Take baby |
| that are black, white, and red are good for the | | | | outside to not only enjoy the scents of nature, |
| developing eyes of the youngest babies. Early | | | | but also the sights, sounds, and textures to |
| reading also helps to foster a child's love for | | | | stimulate baby's senses. Find some open space |
| reading--a love that may positively affect a child's | | | | and let baby explore. All of this is new to her, so |
| literacy and educational success in the future. | | | | the grass, sky, trees, and are part of an exciting |
| Singing--Don't worry! Babies don't mind that your | | | | adventure! |
| pitch isn't perfect. They just love the sound of | | | | Remember that there is no replacement for |
| your voice, no matter the octave. Silly songs | | | | parent-child interactions. Parents are what's best |
| during playtime and lullabies during naptime both | | | | for our children; TV, video games, hand-held |
| help create a sensory environment for babies, | | | | electronic devices, and the like cannot replace |
| which stimulate their little brains. You could just | | | | YOU. |