EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
Health: Birth to 5
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Taste, touch, listen, and learn Most of us think of our home as a place to eat, sleep and spend time with family, but your home is also the most important early learning environment in your child’s life. Home is where your child will learn important social skills and build the foundation for future academic success. Children use their five senses to explore, experience and learn. There are many things that you can do to make sure that your home environment is interesting, challenging and peaceful for your child by engaging each of his senses. Sight • Make eye contact with your child regularly and come down to her level when talking to her. Your smiles will let her know how important she is to you. • Place safe toys and games at your child’s eye level so he can reach them by himself. • Choose soothing colors to relax your child. Too many bright colors can overexcite small children. • Label toy containers with pictures and words so your child can put things away on her own. Rotate toys so that there are not too many things out at once. This will keep your child interested in trying new things. Taste and smell • Include your child when you cook. Talk to him about what you are doing and let him taste or smell some of the ingredients. Even infants enjoy being in the kitchen while the meal is being prepared. Just be sure your child is located safely away from sharp or hot items. • Introduce your child to new foods from a young age. Let her help select fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. For instance, you can buy one of several kinds of apples and then let each family member choose their favorite. • Remember that young children tend to put lots of things in their mouth, so clean your home and toys regularly! Sounds • Talk to your child constantly. She is working hard to develop her vocabulary, and the more you talk, the more she will learn. • Play different types of music throughout the day. Classical music may relax your child, while something upbeat will spur him to dance. Music is a great tool to set a mood in your home. • Try to protect your child from arguments and overly harsh tones. It is natural for your child to sometimes hear arguments, but if she is exposed to it on a regular basis, it will cause stress and affect her learning. • Take a break from television. Too much TV can take away from other learning and physical playing, which are important mind and body exercises your child needs! The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting TV watching and video game playing to no more than one to two hours a day for children over 2 years old and not allowing TV for children under 2. Touch • Help your child create a soft, warm place to snuggle up when she needs to nap or relax. This can also be a great place to read a book or play a quiet game. • Have your child sit close to you when you read a book together. He will learn that reading is enjoyable and a way to relax. Later he may have good feelings associated with books. • Hug and cuddle with your child as much as possible. This will help to build her self-esteem by making her feel secure and special. |
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