Birth to Three Parent Child Program - Eau Claire

Here are some ways to help your babies to grow and learn.

At three months:

• Touch, rock, talk, smile and sing to your baby. Babies develop rapidly in loving, talkative homes. You cannot spoil a new born by responding to his/her needs.
• Have mobiles, bright pictures of faces, rattles, large rings, toys for squeezing and sucking, and vinyl or cardboard books with bright illustrations.
• Hug them and tell them you love them every day.

At six months:

You may want a cradle gym, soft blocks, mobiles, unbreakable mirror, rattles, toys that make noises when shaken, squeezed mouthed and batted, water toys that float, busy box, grip ball.

• Begin to child proof your home.
• Do many repetitive song, rhymes and games everyday

At 12 months:

• You will see lots of movement around your home. Rejoice about the mess and confusion.
• You will see your baby drink from a cup and use a spoon. Allow them to explore.
• Celebrate their peek-a-boo, patty cake and so bigs.
• You will start to hear first words.
• Your baby will be able to pick up small items with the thumb and finger--and then put them in the mouth but not yet understand which things should not be there.
• You may want cardboard or cloth picture books with large brightly colored pictures, tub toys, push and pull toys, dolls and stuffed animals, nesting toys, stacking rings, wooden blocks, drum or xylophone, pots, pans and boxes with lids, large ball or vehicles with wheels.
• Make a point of reading in front of your child. Your child will learn that reading is important.
• Try not to compare your baby’s progress with that made by other children of the same age, or even with your other children. Your baby is unique and will develop at his/her own rate.

By 18 months most babies:

• Like to push and dump things
• Understand simple directions and names of things
• Pull off socks, shoes and mittens
• Like to look at books and turn pages
• Use 8-10 words that are understood
• Walk without help and step over obstacles
• Stack 2-3 blocks
• Try to keep your child’s play area uncluttered if possible. Too many toys are often confusing to a 1-year-old. Remove objects as interest wane and gradually introduce new toys (or toys that have been put away for awhile). Balls, push toys, empty boxes, sturdy books, large crayons and blank paper, and pots and pans with lids are great toys for you child.
• One of the most important things that you can share with your child is reading books together. Reading to your child helps to develop a curiosity about books as well as a desire to learn to read. When choosing books for your child, select those that are familiar to him/her. Your child will love stories filled with rhyme and repetition. Encourage your child to chime in.
• Remember that the experiences that your child has in the first few years in life determine how his/her brain develops and how he/she will interact with the world.

If you have a concern about how your baby is developing call the Eau Claire County Birth to Three Program at 839-6216

TOUCH TALK READ SMILE SING COUNT PLAY