Fostering Mental Development in Children

Parents want their children to succeed. It's an unwritten rule really, when the baby is born, parents have a preset idea as to what they want them to do and how their role as parent will factor into their success.

Some parents take things to the extreme to find ways to help their child develop quickly; they buy books on child development and read them, and books on how to teach their child a certain task are always great sellers. Whether or not these books work is another article and one I'm not here to write.

The truth is, you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on developmental books, or seminars or programs that claim to triple your babies' IQ, all that's need is five rather simple tips and hints to help your baby reach their full potential.

Don't push your child; don't expect too much too soon. Nurturing your child should be a top priority, as well as creating a warm, loving environment in which learning can occur. Babies are babies, born into this world a blank slate where learning takes time, and each is different learning at their own pace. A child's development will occur in steps and when the time is right for your child. A small delay in the 'expected' development is not a bad thing.

Read to your child. Ok, so maybe they won't understand all of the words that you are saying, but it is a great way to bond with your child. Reading to infants will help ensure a life long reading habit. They will respond to this bonding time, and to the tone of your voice. Once they get older, they will ask to be read to, and you can make this a regular activity, turning bedtime into reading time where bonding and learning can occur.

Provide opportunities for exploration. Children learn by doing, it's as simple as that. When children have a variety of toys around them, and different chances to explore the world around them, they learn. Some parents are cautious when it comes to this step, but it's important that they have room to explore without mom or dad behind them telling them not to touch that, or not to throw that ball across the room. Children, especially babies learn through their senses a great deal, and by throwing that ball across the room, or putting Mr. Ducky in their mouth what things are like. The realize what sound the ball makes and that Mr. Ducky is hard and doesn't taste to well, and food really is better than that big yellow thing.

Be responsive. When your baby talks (you know, makes those cute gurgling, babbling sounds), talk back. Talking to your children when they 'talk' to you is important for language development. The more they hear, the more they'll say. It's important to talk to them and not at them however. Ask questions, name items as you give it to them, say their name, refer to you as mommy, or however you want to do it. It's important you do it. Even if they aren't talking to you, respond to their facial expressions and body language. Whenever they smile, smile back and talk to them about it. Everyday talking to your children is literally a learning experience.

Realize that you need not be around 24 hours a day. Children need time to explore on their own. Ok, I understand that Jr. climbing headfirst into the toilet or trying to pull a pot off the stove is a really bad thing and should be stopped, but they need time to crawl and put objects in their mouths (reasonable objects of course). Not only do they need a break from the parental units, you also need a break from them. It is ok to let someone else take over once in awhile. I promise they will not forget you or what you have taught them.

See, that wasn't so hard, was it? If all parents realized it would be this easy, I think they were be less stressed mom's and dad's out there.