School Readiness Begins Early
Growing research in early brain development shows there are some basic things parents of infants can do right now to start raising a child who is curious about the world and ready to learn. These recommendations are relatively simple to adopt as part of your parenting routine.
Read to your child. Spend time together as a family by reading books to your infant. Research shows that babies and young children who regularly have an adult read aloud to them begin to build language, literacy, and social-emotional skills. Your baby is not too young to be read to!
Incorporate play into your everyday routine. It does not have to be elaborate to make a positive impact on your child’s health and development. Be silly together, talk, rhyme, sing, and make observations about the world around you. Even common tasks can become learning opportunities, like counting each step in a flight of steps you walk up or down together.
Routines are essential for children’s health. Children yearn to know what to expect and what is expected out of them. Create consistent routines for such activities as waking up, meals, and bedtime. Research has shown that eating several meals together as a family each week positively impacts a child’s health.
Shape and manage your child’s behavior. Children who begin their school years with an understanding of social, emotional, and behavioral skills fare better in education than their peers who struggle in these areas. As a parent, model good behavior, praise your child’s positive choices, and reinforce smart choices with positive discipline techniques, which help children to self-regulate.
Healthy relationships have a lasting impact on children. Create an honest, nurturing, and respectful relationship with your child, and model this in your own relationships. As your child grows, speak to them about what it means to be a good friend, and what qualities to look for in a friend.
Become your infant’s best educator and advocate as they begin their life journey – YOU are their best teacher!
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics