5 Simple Ways to Encourage Early Learning

When it comes to your baby’s early learning, just about every parent feels like they’re at a loss. On one hand, they want to give their child the best start in life possible, and on the other, they feel like they’re failing as a parent every day that passes without them figuring out the ‘right’ way to raise their child.

The fact is, it’s not easy to find the best methods for child-rearing. Even the most dedicated and experienced parents will still find themselves struggling to raise their children in the right manner. That’s mostly because there are no set guidelines for what “the right way” actually means. So, if you’re looking to find out how to raise your child successfully, keep reading.

Look Into Books

It may not seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised at how many parents avoid actually reading to their children. Instead, they’ll purchase children’s books and read them to their kids. While it’s great that your child is learning to read, there’s also a distinct danger in overexposure to print. For example, there’s been a spike in recent years in cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) due to overly familiarization with books and tablets. It’s well established that babies’ brains are still developing and they’re much more susceptible to outside influences (especially when it comes to media consumption). So by exposing your baby to too many distractions, you may be doing more harm than good. In other words, you’re creating dependency and low self-esteem issues in your child. These will carry over into adulthood and potentially damage your kid’s mental health. So while it’s great that your child is engaged with something educational, remember that they need limits and one-on-one attention as well.

Play & Discover

Another dangerous sedentary habit that many parents are guilty of is playing video games or watching TV shows or movies while their baby rests. Some studies even suggest that too much TV watching in the first year of life leads to behavioral issues in children. So instead of playing during parent-child bonding time or when your baby first sees TV images, reserve video games, and screens for later in the day and expose your baby to natural sunlight. In other words, sunlight is the best fertilizer for a developing brain and helps with vitamin D synthesis. There’s also the added benefit that the sun’s rays help regulate your baby’s sleep cycles.

Parent-child Yoga

Whether you’re a parent who enjoys yoga or has taken a class recently, it’s a great way for you to bond with your child while also helping them relax and develop their minds. You can practice together as a family or give each other massages after vigorous sessions. Many parents report feeling better both physically and mentally after some yoga with their kids. It’s a win-win situation and a great way to create a routine.

There are several different types of yoga exercises that you and your little one can do. Some focus on physical fitness, while others engage the entire family in a mental workout. If finding a class near you isn’t possible, consider practicing at home with videos of expert teachers demonstrating the positions. And don’t hesitate to seek help from a yoga instructor if you’re looking for tips on how to properly carry out these movements with your baby in tow. This way, you’ll be sure to follow the correct instructions and avoid any potential injuries. Even experienced yoga practitioners learn new things every day, so it’s essential that you continue to educate yourself on this subject.

Attend Parent-Child Therapy

A lot of parents cope with stress and anxiety by talking about their child’s behavior and feelings. This particularly helps children who are struggling with separation anxiety or other behavioral problems. Seeing a therapist isn’t obligatory, as many parents find counseling to be a very useful tool. However, it’s something that you should consider as an option if you’re really looking for ways to improve your parenting skills. Parent-child therapy may also be a suitable choice for parents who are dealing with depression or addiction issues. In the case of addiction, attending a family therapy session can help improve your child’s emotional well-being and provide them with a stable home environment.

Build Independence

If your baby is older than six months, it’ll probably be starting to walk and discover the world around them. During this time, it’s important to continue building their confidence, so they feel comfortable exploring new things on their own. This doesn’t mean that you need to hold their hands while they walk around the house. Let them make their own mistakes and encourage them to try new things. Some of the things that your baby may be interested in exploring include:  Shopping for themselves Getting dressed Using the potty Holding their own bladder Walking to the mailbox Going to the bathroom on their own Taking a sip from a glass Pushing a button to make a light turn on Crawling Jumping up on a trampoline or slide Getting into a car without help Going up the stairs without help

The list of independence milestones that your baby will reach is endless, so it’s important to celebrate each and every one of them. Being a parent is a wonderful and unique experience, and you should cherish every moment that you have with your baby.