Family, Youth and Community Sciences News: Family Album Radio: Learning Starts at Birth

Reviewed by: Donna Davis

Few new parents gaze into their baby’s crib and
imagine getting their newborn ready for school. That seems ages away! However, learning actually begins when a baby first opens her or his eyes. “Research shows that children are born ready to learn” (Zero to Three). The natural curiosity and trying to make sense of the world around them in infants show readiness for learning.

Here are some ways to help excite children about learning, even as babies and toddlers:

Talk together. Copy your baby’s sounds and encourage your baby to imitate you.

Point out and name the things around you. For instance, as you peel a potato, show it to your baby, say what it is, and let her or him touch it.

Give your child things or toys they can touch, bang, and shake, so they learn
how things work. http://www.zerotothree.org/schoolreadiness/

Use math games in your daily routines. Count stairs as you climb, or peas on the plate.

Give choices, based on the child’s age. For instance, young children may be able to decide between two books to read before bed.

Let your child be the problem solver, figuring out a solution herself or himself.

Read together. It’s never too early to start! And when you read together, let your child hold the book and point to the pictures as you read—even if they hold the book upside down!

Young children “learn best through their everyday experiences with the people they love and when learning is fun.” (Zero to Three, Pointers for Parents).

Listening, learning and living together, it’s the science of life. “Family Album” is a co-production of University of Florida, IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences and WUFT-FM.