I'm not really going to give you a "mound" of info, just a couple more fun things to help them learn. Can you believe you have a month old already? Has their face changed already? Isn't it fun to see how much they weigh and are continuing to grow? It's amazing!!
Now that we are done squealing and giggling about your newborn lets find out about some fun things we can learn with them this week.
Communication
Are you starting to hear little coos, grunts, and hums? Your baby is starting to learn to talk! No matter how hard you try your baby will learn how to talk (and talk back) so even if you are anxious it's going to happen, so why not help out? Talk to your baby, especially when their face is close to yours. When they are being changed and eating are some of the best times. I have noticed that John will stay awake longer while eating (and eat more) if I talk to him. He doesn't have the same response if I am listening to music, or watching TV, only if I am talking. This week do a show and tell of their room and of your home. Tell them memories you have in each room or about specific items in your home. Tell them a joke or two and maybe you will be able to see that cute little smile as you laugh at the joke (or at yourself). Involve other children and let them tell the new baby what its like to live in the house and what the rules are (you might get some funny answers).
The first time I made John smile I was wiping some spit up off of his lips. I brushed the cloth on his lips and gums, smiled at him and he smiled back! Since then I've been able to get him to smile and talk more while doing this. Hopefully that's a helpful trick.
Journaling
Okay, maybe not journaling, but at least documenting this time of your baby's life. Take pictures of your baby and maybe a few "selfies" (I hate that word) as you lie on the ground next to them. They will soon be outgrowing those cute newborn clothes you have them in so snag a couple photos of them while they are wearing those faves to remember. This might not be teaching them anything, but it'll be fun to reminisce about later.
Reading
As a teacher I have a firm belief in reading (every day) either to or with your little ones (and big ones). A love of reading is (in my opinion) the NUMERO UNO important thing you can teach your child. Try to go one day without reading. You can't! And as I was saying on my soap box in the first post if every student I taught in special education read a book every night they would show HUGE progress. Now I didn't grow up loving reading, and I don't blame anyone for that (kind of). I was the 4th of 5 children and I was doing okay on my own. I have always (ish) been able to read on level but I never really had a LOVE of reading. I have since found authors and book series that I love and therefore better understand other reasons why reading is so important; it helps you develop imagination, creativity, and learn to escape in a healthy way.
So, this week start reading to your little one. If you like to read the scriptures every day, read a couple verses or a chapter with them (this is easiest for me on a handheld device while they are eating). Read one of the baby board books you have every night before putting them to bed, or read from a book you are reading. Lay down next to them and show them the pictures as you read. This is another fun thing you can do if you have multiple kids. Point out the emotions of the characters, colors, or shapes you see too.
Hearing
I got this idea from one of the websites I told you about in my first post. To help your baby develop their hearing and understand they can hear in 2 different ears you can talk in each ear. You can use a toilet paper tube to whisper something in their left ear, then whisper something else in their right ear. This also might help if your little one prefers to look to one side (*cough* John) for them to look at the other side. You can do this while you are changing their diaper, or while reading a book. Take turns with your spouse and read opposite pages so your baby hears from you out of one ear, and your spouse out of the other ear.
Lullaby-I am like a Star
This is a song from the Children's Songbook from lds.org. I love this song; it's sweet and short.
You can see/hear it here
Lyrics
I am like a star shining brightly,
Smiling for the whole world to see.
I can do and say happy things each day,
For I know Heavenly Father loves me.
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