5 Things to Do With Your Child This Weekend to Build Brain Development

1.Snuggle! Your touch builds brain connections. Infants need touch for sensory development and security. Responding to infants cries helps them feel secure and to develop a sense of trust for the world around them. Build on a baby or toddlers self-esteem with loving cuddles. Parents’ touch also reassures the young child giving them confidence to explore independence.

2.Read a Book. Preferably, read a book that you have already read a hundred times. Or sing a familiar song. Children crave repetition and it turns out, for good reason. Repetition builds and strengthens pathways in the brain. Routines are another way repetition builds brains.

3.Get Dirty! Hands on activities like squishing play dough, playing with shaving cream or whipped topping, finger painting and other messy activities build sensory development. Cooking with an adult is a great activity for older toddlers. Each new activity sparks new pathways in the brain.

4.Take a Nap. Babies and toddlers need a lot of sleep to support all this great brain development. Getting regular and predictable sleep is crucial. An infant 6 months old should be getting 14-15 hours of sleep a day (night and naps) a toddler who is two should be getting about 13-14 hours, and a three year old should be getting about 12-13 hours.

5.Chat! Talk, talk, talk. Studies consistently show that the more parents talk to their young child and infant the bigger the vocabulary the child will have. See yourself as a play by play commentator. Talk about everything you are seeing and doing and encourage your child to do the same.

So there you go! Weekend homework. See if you can get five out of five!

Happy Weekend!
-Amanda