• Hold your baby so she can see things. Help her hold objects like her socks or a rattle. As she grows, give her safe objects to feel, shake or put into her mouth.
• Be your baby’s teacher. She will see how you react to things. When you get excited about a toy or object, she’ll get excited too. As she grows, show her how things work—for example, how doors open and close. Talk about what you are doing. For example, “I am putting the food in the pot to cook it.”
• When a baby is learning something new, it helps her to try it again and again. With your help and support this can be fun, and your baby will like trying new things.
• Protect your baby from harsh disapproval, teasing or punishment. A baby doesn’t understand right from wrong. She doesn’t know what things are dangerous for her to do. Watch her to keep her safe. Remove her from situations where she can be hurt or injured.
• Talk and sing to your baby. Even before she is able to speak, this helps her develop language skills. Babies learn best when you talk to them.
• Read to your baby from the earliest months of her life and continue.

Other brain building ideas include:

• Keep to a simple routine.
• Give your baby lots of love and affection.
• Always respond promptly when she cries.
• Play with your baby to stimulate her brain growth.
• Sing to your baby while you rock her.
• Hold your baby so she can see things. Take her for walks in the stroller, sling or baby carrier.
• Give your baby some quiet time - avoid over stimulating her.
• Talk to your baby often. This is how she learns language.
• Mobiles that play music are great for the development of a baby's brain.
• Place your baby on her tummy for short periods of time. Use an interesting textured play mat to make tummy time more fun
• Read simple books to your baby. Texture books are also a great way to develop your baby's sense of touch.
• Put a baby mirror near her and watch her explore the image.

Previous: Newborn brain development

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