B is for Babies: Themed Activities

Babies learn at amazing rates!  In 1000 days, from conception to their 2nd birthday. a child goes from non-existence to interactive, communicative beings who change our life!   I shared one of the 16 by 16 lookbooks available on the baby navigator website. They have a variety of resources that help you know what skills a baby typically masters by a set age if you want to learn more. 

An example of a baby's incredible growth is seen in their speech.  From undifferentiated cries to babbling, they typically have 1-2 words at 12 months, 20 by 18months and 200 by 24 months.  That is a tenfold increase every six months. It is even more incredible when you consider that this infant accomplished this level of growth in multiple areas of life simultaneously! Also, this is just a baseline, many children far surpass this guideline.

When we talk about babies we think of eating, crying, diapers, snuggles, hope...They require a lot of loving care but they are very active as they take in the world around them and learn and grow.  It is important to give them consistent and caring responses to their needs early on.  We generally simplify our interactions and vocabulary and use 'baby talk' to communicate with them.  This is fine because, by slowing down and speaking clearly, we help them understand and learn. As a infant grows though, we need to grow and adapt too.  

There is a 'plus one' concept that many find helpful.  Meet your child where they are at and add one.  For example, if a baby says 'baa', you can reply yes, 'baa baa'.  If they say 'mama' you can say, 'Mama, up!' If they say 'Car go!' you can reply with ' Car go fast?' and so forth.  Use their words to affirm that they got their message across then add another concept to help them go from where they are to one step up.

If you are finding they are not able to succeed at that, you can model it but just keep encouraging them at their current level too.  For example, if they can say /b/  but not ba or ball....just carry on with something like 'b,b, ball!  yes! roll the ball!'  The goal is to encourage their learning, not make demands on them to achieve a certain level.  Be sure to recognize all of the little successes and steps forward and celebrate them.  No matter how quickly or slowly your child progresses through the early stages, every bit of progress IS a success and worthy of celebration.  They are amazing little people and we are there  to guard them and guide them and give them the best possible start.

hmmm....this isn't themed activities.  Sorry.  Haha.  Off on a tangent! Let's add in a few ideas ...

OK. Well, baby books, baby pictures, play with babies, feeding baby dolls, clothing them and rocking them, crawl like a baby, cry like a baby, sleep like a baby, babble like a baby, play with baby toys.  What do you call a baby of different animal species?  How would you describe a baby? Write about a baby brother/sister/cousin. Draw them.  Make baby food. Learn about baby animals. Read the 16x16 LookBooks one more time!  What else?  Enjoy the babies you know and love!