There is a window of opportunity for children's learning, and although children continue to learn , as we all do at any age, the brain is particularly open to receiving instruction at particular ages.
The following passage from my book Smart Starts in the Arts: Fostering Intelligence, Creativity and Serenity in the Early Years http://www.iapbooks.com/ explains some of the easy and rather delightful tactics we can employ with our very young child to make the most of this window of opportunity in the very early years.
What Works (Kotulak, Ronald. 1996)
- Talking to your child frequently; this allows words to be learned faster, increasing vocabulary. Watching words, such as he sees on TV, without content specifically suited to his age, does not do the job. Moreover, you point to things as you talk and talk in short sentences, allowing him to take it all in, ask questions, and interact with you in a social way. Use many different words in a variety of combinations.
- Creating enriched environments with engaging toys, pleasing social interactions, story reading. Stimulating the senses by:
- Playing complex music on radio or tapes, such as the sounds found in classical music;
- Providing kinetic movement for vision to focus upon, such as that found in an intriguing mobile.
- Providing rattles and push-button toys with eye, ear and tactile appeal and later, clay or play dough, which not only exercises fingers and hands but creative vision and the tactile sensations of texture.
- Instilling confidence by allowing exploration, diverting attention when necessary by calm physical intervention, rather than yelling from your chair.
- Providing positive feedback. Praising accomplishments, responding to questions, giving firm guidance rather than commands.
- Finding time and situations for comforting touch, for holding and cuddling; using breast or bottle feeding routines for this, and during changing rituals, play times and sleep preparations.
- Removing stress from the environment; physiological responses to stress and high blood pressure are molded in early development when the brain is changing the most.
- Instilling in your child the attitude that he is not helpless; he can do something about a problem or a feeling; he is worthy; he is important. When he develops his view of the world, he will have that inside, always.
