I hope you had some fun playing “peek-a-boo” in class this week. Playing hiding games with your baby high-lights a concept called object permanence. To have internalized the concept of object permanence is to know that things and people exist even when they are out of sight. This concept is developing in babies over the first eighteen months of life. If you notice your baby looking for something or someone hiding, you are getting a glimpse into his development in the area of object permanence. Your new book provides another opportunity for your child to play “peek a boo.” They may turn a page back and forth over and over again creating their own “peekaboo” experience, watching the picture appear and disappear. Turning the pages also gives them practice using their thumb and forefinger a skill they will need to master paper pages later. (Karen Miller, Simple Steps, pg. 40.) It is never too early to start reading to your baby. The more you read to them the more they will learn to love books.
You may wonder why we’re doing group dances such as the polka in class. Group dances give babies the opportunity to notice, respond to, and engage others socially – and at the same time experience the thrill of joyful social interaction. There will be other times when we’ll dance our own little dances in class too. Don’t worry about getting the steps “just right” it’s about the joy of the experience not the perfection of the dance. “Do you need a break today?” I’m sure I know the answer but remember the same goes for your baby. Just as your child needs stimulation and engagement in age-appropriate activities, she also needs periods of relaxation. Help your child learn to calm herself, slow her pace, and relax by creating regular quiet times at home. Slow, gentle music can provide an environment conducive to relaxation. Enjoy your new CD and book this week. Here’s some other information that might interest you. Read On!
Sign Language Introducing signing to hearing babies has the benefit of allowing an adult and baby to communicate before the baby’s vocal chords are developed enough to speak. This silent but powerful communication system raises self-esteem, eliminates the frustration of not being able to communicate, and engages baby as an active participant in the learning environment.
Movement From birth, babies’ movements are developing from reflexive to intentional. Moving their arms and legs during the exercise activity helps them gain control over their muscles, making movements deliberate.
Language Development Label, label, label! Your child begins to understand language through a process called “receptive language.” Your baby may not be saying actual words, but every word you say to her is heard and processed. Be sure to label everything – movements, objects, feelings, colors, everything. Before you know it, her language acquisition will become “expressive” as she begins to use her tongue and mouth muscles to produce desired words.
“Epo I Tai Tai E” is a traditional song from New Zealand. Having been passed from culture to culture around the world the origin and meaning of this song has become obscured over time. The possible translations are: “I will not be sad, I will be happy” or “Here is a strong man, who fights like a bull”
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