Use everyday situations – shopping at the grocery store, a trip to the park – as an opportunity to point out different colors to your baby. If she’s able, ask her to find specific colors and point them out to you.
Follow Baby’s preferences.
Figure out what he is particularly interested in, and run with it. If he seems fascinated by trains on TV, show him real ones. Check out books about trains at the library. You can foster an interest in learning if you start with things that he really likes.
Play some baby basketball.
You know how your baby likes to throw things off her high chair for Mommy or Daddy to pick up? Take advantage of the natural urge to play this game; not only will she have fun, she’ll be sharpening her motor skills. Put Baby in her chair and give her crumpled pieces of paper or tissues and encourage her to throw them into a bucket or bowl.
Be choosy with TV.
Unless you’re a family without a TV – very rare in today’s society – there are bound to be times when your baby seems glued to the tube. TV watching isn’t bad, but be selective about the programs that Baby is allowed to watch; even infants are more perceptive than they may seem. And limit television-watching time; creative play and interaction is worlds better than even the most educational children’s TV show.
Don’t underestimate Baby’s intelligence.
Many times when we talk to babies, we tend to use smaller words and even mispronounce them: “Does Baby need his wittle diapey changed?” Speaking in a higher-than-normal pitch isn’t a bad thing; it’s what you say that matters. Talk to your baby like you’d talk to an older child or even an adult, using words you normally use, not trying to “dumb down” your speech on Baby’s behalf. Babies whose parents speak to them frequently and use more “adult” words have better vocabularies and stronger language skills.