Joshua Christhmas Gifts 2006
11 MONTHS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Cruising the Furniture
This month, it may be helpful to think of your baby as an Olympic athlete. Walking is his sport. But he can't win the gold medal without hours and hours of training. That's why your little contender seems obsessed with standing and with hanging onto the furniture.
Sometime soon he'll let go and take his first step. Then you'll know it's time to stand up and cheer. In the meantime, give your baby lots of encouragement. Standing, stepping and balancing are all tough skills to master. And now he has to coordinate all three. This means he needs lots of supervision, too. "Cruising" the furniture is risky business. He's bound to wind up tumbling over now and then. A small price to pay for victory.
"Bye-bye"
One of the highlights of parenting happens in these last months of your baby's first year. You've been talking to your baby all his life. Suddenly one day he'll start talking to you. A world of communication opens up when your child starts putting words to objects and people.
Expect him to start small. Sentences are beyond him. So are big words. He might start with single syllables; "Da" for Daddy or "buh" for bye-bye. Simple and sweet. You'll never forget the way he says his first words.
Becoming More Independent
Your baby is so determined to walk, he'll try almost anything that works. What happens if he takes two big steps? Two little steps? Should he hold the crib rail with his right hand or left? He's conducting experiments. He's also learning that there's more than one way to do things. The freedom to experiment gives your baby's confidence a boost.
One small step for your baby is a big step for his independence. Freedom is thrilling. You might feel a little wistful, watching your baby cruise around the room. He's not a cuddly little newborn anymore. But he needs you as much as ever. Pretty soon you'll be walking hand in hand.
As your baby is gaining both curiosity and mobility, try channeling their need to explore into fun and challenging activities, like hide-and-seek. Hide yourself or hide some toys. Cover the toys and let her find them.
Read story books to your baby over and over again. Make sure to add lots of dramatic voices and sounds when you can.
Look through a book and make up a story about each picture. Let your baby turn the page when she's ready.
Offer your baby a push toy, even if she's not walking yet.
Create silly routines that make your baby laugh, and where she has a role. Puff your cheeks up with air and let the air "explode" when she pokes you with her finger.
Cruising the Furniture
This month, it may be helpful to think of your baby as an Olympic athlete. Walking is his sport. But he can't win the gold medal without hours and hours of training. That's why your little contender seems obsessed with standing and with hanging onto the furniture.
Sometime soon he'll let go and take his first step. Then you'll know it's time to stand up and cheer. In the meantime, give your baby lots of encouragement. Standing, stepping and balancing are all tough skills to master. And now he has to coordinate all three. This means he needs lots of supervision, too. "Cruising" the furniture is risky business. He's bound to wind up tumbling over now and then. A small price to pay for victory.
"Bye-bye"
One of the highlights of parenting happens in these last months of your baby's first year. You've been talking to your baby all his life. Suddenly one day he'll start talking to you. A world of communication opens up when your child starts putting words to objects and people.
Expect him to start small. Sentences are beyond him. So are big words. He might start with single syllables; "Da" for Daddy or "buh" for bye-bye. Simple and sweet. You'll never forget the way he says his first words.
Becoming More Independent
Your baby is so determined to walk, he'll try almost anything that works. What happens if he takes two big steps? Two little steps? Should he hold the crib rail with his right hand or left? He's conducting experiments. He's also learning that there's more than one way to do things. The freedom to experiment gives your baby's confidence a boost.
One small step for your baby is a big step for his independence. Freedom is thrilling. You might feel a little wistful, watching your baby cruise around the room. He's not a cuddly little newborn anymore. But he needs you as much as ever. Pretty soon you'll be walking hand in hand.
As your baby is gaining both curiosity and mobility, try channeling their need to explore into fun and challenging activities, like hide-and-seek. Hide yourself or hide some toys. Cover the toys and let her find them.
Read story books to your baby over and over again. Make sure to add lots of dramatic voices and sounds when you can.
Look through a book and make up a story about each picture. Let your baby turn the page when she's ready.
Offer your baby a push toy, even if she's not walking yet.
Create silly routines that make your baby laugh, and where she has a role. Puff your cheeks up with air and let the air "explode" when she pokes you with her finger.
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on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 11:12 PM.
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