Baby brain building

The early wiring of your baby’s brain sets the stage for future development. Experiences during the first three years have a deep and lasting impact. The brain controls how your baby’s body works. It also controls thinking, feeling, learning and memory. Interacting with your baby helps his brain grow and develop—from showing him how to shake a rattle or reach for a stuffed bear to helping him make new sounds. Talking to and playing with your baby will make a difference in how his brain develops.

Tips to help your baby learn

• Give your baby things to play with. Babies like to hold things and put them in their mouths. Offer him a variety of new toys and objects to play with, making sure whatever objects you give your baby are safe.
• Give your baby things to look at. Bright objects and images help the development of a baby’s vision. Hang a colorful mobile over your baby’s crib, just high enough so it can’t be pulled down. Show your baby colored illustrations or photographs of faces.