Communicating with your baby in sign language not only allows you to develop a bond with your baby and understand his requirements, it fast tracks your baby’s mental development. Not to mention, it is a wonderful means of having fun with your baby.

It’s an established fact that babies pick up sign language before they learn a spoken tongue and if they can be encouraged to communicate thus parents will be spared the tantrums of a frustrated baby. Gestures denoting hunger, sleepiness, and need for help are basic gestures and can be taught.

Babies can pick up visual gestures quite fast and with some training they will be able to relate a gesture to an activity or an object. If you can do it regularly, your baby will pick it up and when you accompany gestures with relevant words, your baby will pick those up too. Communication is learnt by imitation and therefore consistent correct training by the parents will do your baby a world of good as you are going to help him lay the foundation of good communication skills.

Babies come with their own sweet joys and also bring exasperations to the new parents. It’s not uncommon to see bleary-eyed parents complaining about a lack of sleep. Babies function on a different biological clock, one that is programmed more to keep the parents awake at night rather than getting some sleep for the baby.

The sleep pattern of a baby gets set during the early days when they experience erratic sleep patterns. Parents rock them to sleep and babies come to expect being rocked to sleep every time they are in their parent’s arms or after a session of breastfeeding.

So, in order to cultivate a proper sleeping habit in your baby, do not allow him to fall asleep in your arms. The best place for your baby to get sleep is in his bed, so inculcate in him the habit to sleep independently. However, ensure that he does not get deprived of his mother’s touch and in fostering an independent sleeping habit the bond between mother and touch that is formed by togetherness and touch during the early days does not get strained. Place the baby on the cot sleepy but awake.

Set a routine for the baby, babies need a lot of sleep and if they can have a pattern or a routine then you can work out your schedule according to their routine. Place the baby to sleep at the same time every night; soon the baby will learn to fall asleep on his own at that particular time. Encourage the baby to fall asleep independently after around 3 months.

As far as possible put the baby to sleep on his back, it is the only known way to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Keep the baby’s sleeping area clear of soft toys and blankets. The baby’s cot should not be very soft, it should be firm and you should use a safety-approved crib mattress. Give the baby a good sleeping area and get him to follow a routine, soon you will be able to get back your night’s rest.

The Perfect Infant Activity

by Dalene Joubert

Many parents continually search for the best infant activity to stimulate and encourage their baby’s development… especially during the first few formative years.

During these first years babies must get all the learning experiences necessary for a complete development.

And developing a complete range of skills requires mastering many activities and exposure to many learning situations.

But there must be a shortcut, isn’t there?

Certain key baby activities offer an abundance of stimulation and valuable learning experiences. Yet, since many parents are totally unaware of the value of these activites they are mostly overlooked.

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Creative Play for Babies - Newborn to 6 Months

By: Dawn Arkin

New parents are bombarded with information about raising children. What diapers to use, whether to breast feed, and how to make their babies smarter. Millions of dollars are spend every year on products designed to make their child smarter and more alert.

But nothing matches parental interaction for helping a child grow and learn. Talking, singing, and cuddling all play a vital role in your child’s development. So does play time.

From the moment your child is born, they are curious about the world around them. Every experience is new, from the feel of their blanket to the sounds around them. And every new thing helps them make the connections that will help him grow and learn.

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Five Ways To Effectively Speak & Understand Your Baby’s Language

by Pammy Brown

No doubt, your precious newborn is going to need plenty of love, attention and care during the first year of his life. How do they tell you what they need, and better yet, how do you understand what they need before they get frustrated and distressed?

Learning how to understand how your baby learns language and communication can help you ascertain his needs as well as strengthen your bond with him/her. Follow these time line guides to listen and understand your child before they begin talking.

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8 Simple Easy Ways On How To Potty Train Your Child

By: Robert Michael

Is potty training your child not going well? Some children are very interested in being potty trained while other children will fight you all the way.

You will know when your child is ready to start potty training. Hopefully these potty training tips will help both you and your child make potty training easier.

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How to Talk with Your Baby

By: Carolyn Joana

The roads to communication with a baby are endless, and each parent travels some more than others. Here are some you may want to take to talk to your baby

Do a Running Commentary

Don’t make a move, at least when you’re around your baby, without talking about it. Narrate the dressing process;’Now I’m putting on your nappy . .. here goes the T-shirt over your head. . . now I’m buttoning your dungarees’.

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Parents are teachers, too. When it comes to child rearing, one of the most important lessons a parent can teach their youngster is responsible behavior. This means helping the child learn how to interact with others in a way that displays self-respect, as well as respect toward others.

No child comes into this world pre-programmed with good manners and virtuous attributes such as a willingness to share, consideration for the feelings of others, respect for others possessions, respect for authority figures, and a selfless attitude.

Considerate, responsible behavior must be taught while a child is very young so that it is instilled by the time they are older, when irresponsible behavior risks evolving into criminal behavior.

Teaching a child about responsible behavior begins at home. It is accomplished by setting a good example on a daily basis. Parents do this by being conscientious about exhibiting maturity in the ways they deal with other people, react to stressful situations, disagree with others, make choices, etc.

Parents can help their children grow into responsible adults by being a positive role model. Helping them learn how to think, feel, and act responsibly, and to pursue their own interests without becoming insensitive of the needs and feelings of others.

Accountability, fairness, honesty, courage, and respect toward self and others are important character traits. Many parents help instill these qualities by sharing deeply held religious and moral convictions with their children. Showing “why” these attributes are important as a foundation for ethical behavior, even when difficult or not materially rewarding.

Responsible behavior is a cultivated trait. It is a characteristic formed over time, made up of our outlook on life and daily habits. Responsible people behave that way whether or not anyone is watching, and regardless of how others may act. (more…)

Responsible behavior doesn’t come naturally; it is a learned trait. It is important for parents to teach their children responsible behavior at an early age; a healthy respect for the feelings of others, and a strong sense of right and wrong.

Combined with setting a good example and involvement in a young child’s development of social skills, spend quality time with your child and instruct them about proper, responsible behavior. It can go a long way in helping to correct behavior problems that could lead to serious consequences down the road.

Everyday experiences are a parent’s best tool when it comes to teaching responsible behavior. Because this type behavior is a learned trait, it can become habit through repetitiveness.

Parents can effectively teach children with both words and deeds. Parents can always tell a child to respect others, and they may or may not comply in any given situation. But, when a parent consistently shows respect for other’s opinions, feelings, and possessions, they teach their children to do the same.

Actions + Words = Effective Training Methods

Our daily actions, attitudes, and social skills speak louder and much more effectively than words. As children watch what we do and ask questions, a golden opportunity is presented to teach valuable “life-lessons.”

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