Reading is by far the best excuse any child or adult can have for snuggling up on the couch. Make this a regular habit with your child and a special time for quality interaction. Turn off the television, find a quiet spot, and snuggle up with your child and some of your favorite books. Pick books with colorful pictures, rhyming, cause-and-effect plot lines, nursery rhymes, or repetition. Your child can participate by turning pages, pointing to picks, and even answering simple questions about the story. Although your child's attention span is much longer, continue to read books with pictures on each page and short and simple text. Limit questions and directions and keep reading times relatively short in order to ensure this time together stays positive. 

 

 

Brain Science for Your Baby

 

Your toddler is smarter than you know.  And smarter than scientists thought!  We know that toddlers imitate what they see "live".  But toddlers are learning and remembering what they see in books too.  A recent study (Brito, 2012) found that 18 and 24 month old toddlers who saw a researcher demonstrating how to make a three-step toy rattle via a picture book could imitate that - not only immediately - but weeks later!  An 18 month old could remember for 2 weeks; a 24 month old could remember for at least a month.  So your curious toddler is listening, imitating, watching, and remembering what he sees in books!

 

Tips for reading to your toddler
A Baby Buffer Prescription for Your Baby
 

Make reading fun for you and your baby! Much like any interaction, things go better and are more enjoyable when everyone is interested and excited about what's going on.

 

Books & Blankets: Snuggle up with the whole family under your coziest blankets and with your baby's favorite pile of books. Select some books that promote cuddling or interactions between you and baby.

 

Books in Bed: Crawl in your "big bed" and snuggle up with your favorite books. Pile up pillows, relax, and sing silly songs or read funny books.

 

Bedtime Books: Read 2-3 bedtime books during your nighttime routine to help put bedtime and sleep in a positive light and give your baby cues it is time to go to sleep. Try these oldies but goodies!

 

Pajama Time! & The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton

 

Goodnight Moon! by Margaret Wise Brown &  Clement Hurd

A baby Buffer Prescription for You       

 

Find your inner child and your childhood books! Taking care of another human being is a big responsibility and can be stressful at times. Everyone deserves a break or at least a "visit" to a happy childhood memory. Take a trip down memory lane by remembering your favorite childhood book(s) and reading those same stories with your child.

Finding these may mean going through old belongings, a trip to the bookstore, or maybe even a great find at a garage sale. Regardless, sharing books from your childhood with your baby is a great way to connect with your baby and eventually share memories of special moments or people from your childhood.

 








 

What Your Baby Can Do - Developmental Milestones 

 

Your one year old will be able to imitate what you do in his or her play!  Give her a dust rag and let her dust furniture, pots and pans with a spoon so that he or she can "cook", and your baby will be able to start practicing brushing teeth and doing other self care activities.  

 
Gene's Research Tip
Two articles that we look at this week show that kids who grow up with consistent rules and healthy habits do better in school, and are less likely to have sex at an early age.  It is never too early to start encouraging healthy habits like eating fruits and vegetables, exercise and getting plenty of sleep!  
Baby Buffer Blog
Kristie Clark, MD, FAAP

 

As a new Mom of toddlers, I would get frustrated when I tried to get them to do a "Time-Out".  How do you get a 3 year old to stay seated for 3 seconds, much less 3 minutes?

 

Have you ever seen a 9 month old baby remove Grandma's glasses or pull their Mom's hair?  Babies as young as 9 months can exhibit defiance, and need some gentle discipline.  Babies younger than 9 months really are not capable of being naughty and do not need discipline. When young babies cry, it is for a reason. Usually, babies that cry have a need to be met.  Either they are hungry, wet, dirty, cold, too warm, sick, in pain, scared, over-stimulated, tired or colicky. It is up to us as parents to get to know our baby's non-verbal communication cues so that we can meet their needs.  Never ever hit or shake a baby!

 

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