As parents we often ask what we can do to help our children to grow and learn. The activities below cover many areas of development and will hopefully provide you with some fun and creative ways to help your children to grow and learn! Information such as this can be found in many sites on the internet. Hopefully you will find the time to explore some of the links that we have provided for you on our Useful Resources page.

Birth to 6 Months:

Imitate your baby's cooing and babbling.

Talk to your baby in a pleasant voice.

Be exciting - use your face to show what you are saying.

Provide sounds for your baby - music, singing, noisy toys.

Provide safe toys for them to explore with their mouths.

Talk about all the house sounds, like water and pet noises.

Provide opportunities for your little one to sit in a supported position to allow for free head movement as they develop.

Hang shiny, colorful, safe things above the crib and out of reach.

Show the baby objects around the house; remember that what is ordinary to you is fascinating to this tiny new person.

Talk as you are changing diapers, feeding, or bathing your baby.

Describe and talk about your daily activities: "Now it is time to go to bed."

Shorten your sentences and repeat a lot; this is great for your little one.

Sing in the car to your child. Peek-a-boo is a great first game. Give them opportunities to bring their hands together as well, help them to clap.

Dance with your young partner. Holding your child while dancing to different types of music develops rhythmic responses and can be great exercise for you.

Read books aloud to your child, even your own book. Your voice is a source of learning and security to your little one.

6 to 12 Months:

Remember that everything is new to your baby, so measuring cups and spoons are as much fun to hold and play with as expensive, complicated toys.

All day long, talk and listen, talk and listen.

Your baby loves repetition. It is reassuring in a strange world, and it helps your baby learn - so sing the same songs, tell the same stories, and tell your baby again and again about things you are doing.

Carrying your baby is important for your baby's learning. Many more things come into view when a baby is higher. From the floor, your baby's world is chair legs and feet. In your arms, your baby can wonder at the many things you see and talk about. Baby backpacks can be delightful for parents and baby.

Praise your baby. Your baby wants to make you happy, so your delight delights your baby. The happiness and pride in your voice and on your face is important to your baby.

Your baby will begin to love and play along with baby games like "Where's your mouth," Hide and Seek, and Patty Cake. Allowing for opportunities to sit and to stand with support provides different vantage points to view there world from.

Give your baby children's books that are OK to play with. Your baby will learn to turn pages and concentrate on pictures.

Set aside specific times in the day to "read" with your baby.

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