4 easy ways parents can support their baby's development
Inspiration for busy parents.
With every hug and every kiss, every meal and every game, you can help your baby develop in so many ways. Need an inspiration boost? Try out our 4 practical and playful tips for parents. They’re fun, free and fast to do!
1. At meal time, allow your child to explore their five senses.
1. Taste: What does the food taste like? Is it sweet or sour?
2. Smell: How does it smell?
3. Sight: What does it look like? What colours do you see?
4. Touch: How does it feel? What kind of texture does it have?
5. Hearing: Say the name of the food so your child learns the name.
How this benefits your child
The more your child explores the world around them through their five senses, the more they are able to learn and absorb. By helping them to explore through their senses, you’re encouraging their curiosity. You can help set the ground for them to make healthier food choices later in life.
2. When you put your baby to sleep, sing them a song about the beautiful things you’ve done together during the day.
Try to make up songs yourself, use your child’s name in the song or words and objects they’re familiar with to make the song special and just for them!
How this benefits your child
Routine is good for children. This type of routine can help them calm down before sleep and have a good night’s rest. It’s an opportunity for you to bond with your child and share beautiful memories from the day. You're helping build their vocabulary by introducing them to new words (even if they can’t pronounce them yet).
3. What can you find in your house to play with your baby?
Blankets? Empty boxes? Clean plastic plates/bowls or pots? Hide behind a blanket and then reveal yourself making a funny noise. Hide a small cup underneath a blanket and let your child pull to find it. Let your child drop something safe, like a plastic spoon, and make some noise!
How this benefits your child
You’re strengthening the bond with your child through fun interactions, encouraging your child to use their imagination and to explore the world around them and helping them learn new concepts and vocabulary.
4. Mimic the sounds and noises your child makes.
When your baby makes sounds, even if they’re not words as we know them, treat it like a dialogue and conversation with your baby!
How this benefits your child
All types of ’talk’ help build your child’s vocabulary. By engaging with your child (even babies) you’re helping them learn language and how to communicate. The attention you give through dialogue is very rewarding for children (even babies), builds their self-confidence and helps foster a strong bond between you.
