What to do for baby’s developing intelligence

From birth, babies can learn with his very active mind. Here are some useful tips on how to explore and develop your little one’s intelligence:

* Encourage him to develop a taste for exploration like holding your face and bright objects fairly close to his eyes. He can then see and touch with fingers, so that he also learns from feeling.

* Be sensitive to what interests him, such as your hair or a strange noise, and encourage his involvement with these things.

* Put a mirror (firmly secured) over his cot, about 20 centimeters from his face, so that he can see his reflection. He’ll have a lot of fun pulling faces at himself. Attach it to a semi-rigid structure, such as  a length of plastic, for him to reach up for when he’s able to.

* Don’t put a great number of objects in or around the cot; too much enrichment only turns him off.

* Listen to his cries and coos, and react to them promptly.

* Make a cradle-gym of toys he can reach, strung across his cot or pram, so that he can knock them, watch them swing, and learn some hand-to-eye coordination. He won’t be able to grasp them to start with, because that is still too difficult.

From six months:

* Give him just a few tough toys that won’t fall to pieces when bitten or thrown.

* Try a kick toy tied to the foot end of the cot, such as a large flat piece of foam rubber covered in vinyl, showing a big  toy face and little body, and tied on with strong elastic; it will give hours of pleasure and leg exercise.

* Talk about what you’re doing, such as putting on socks, all the time. Repeat the key words over and over.

* Give the baby free time on a blanket on the floor  every day. He’ll begin to crawl and explore more quickly.

* Let him handle things that work, like switching the light on, and when he succeeds, say “light.” Babies also love a jack-in-the-box.

* When he begins to crawl, make safe areas for him to explore. Freedom to explore is very important.

* Always respond to a baby. But if it’s difficult, then break off and tell the child to ‘wait a minute.’ It is better that ignoring him.

* Play involving games like hide and seek.

* Use playpens or any other restraining devices like high chairs only as long as the baby looks contented in them. When he shows signs of boredom, take him out.

* Keep life lively for the baby by changing his scenery, talking to him, and interesting him in your daily activities.

* No one is more interesting to a baby than his parents. Exaggerate your own actions slightly to make them clearer, such as speaking slowly and making clear facial expressions and body movements.

Source: Dr. Joan Freeman, child psychologist