Brand New Dad » Month By Month » 4 Months Old » Guiding Principles To Help Your Baby Every Day

Here are some important things you can do that will help your baby every day:

• Be your baby's teacher. Babies learn when they have many good experiences with someone who loves them. Give your baby a rattle. Say, "Shake, shake," as you move it and make sounds together. Name things for your baby. For example, say, "Look at the tree. Let's sit under the tree." This helps your baby develop language.
• Encourage your baby to explore. Your baby is at an age when she likes to be held up to look at things. Looking at things is important for her. Look at something together, and move it around. Your baby now is holding on to things and putting them into her mouth. This helps her explore. It also helps her develop movement skills. Find things she can play with like unbreakable spoons or plastic cups, and get down on the floor and play with her.
• Get excited about your child. Show your excitement when she does something. Make sure you act immediately. Your baby will connect your pleasure with what she has just done. For example, when your baby sits up as you hold her, say, "Look at you! You are sitting up!"
• Repeat things with your baby. Babies learn by doing the same thing over and over. Your baby may learn faster when she has lots of time playing and talking with you.
• Communicate. Talk and sing to your baby. She has been learning about language since birth. Talking to her helps her to learn.
• Do not treat your baby harshly.
• Babies do not know right from wrong.
• They should not be punished.
• They should not be teased in a rough manner.
• Never shake or hit your baby. Never allow anyone else to shake or hit your baby. This can cause injuries, brain damage or even death.