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Patricia Kuhl shares astonishing findings about how babies learn one language over another — by listening to the humans around them and “taking statistics” on the sounds they need to know. Clever lab experiments (and brain scans) show how 6-month-old babies use sophisticated reasoning to understand their world.

Click on the link to watch this fascinating talk!

http://www.ted.com/talks/patricia_kuhl_the_linguistic_genius_of_babies.html

Tip of the Month

(courtesy of the Child Care Council of Westchester and United Way)

Helping Children Say Goodbye

 Connection to learning: Leaving your crying child at child care can be painful. It can help to know that it’s quite normal for a young child to cry when a parent leaves. Some children have a harder time than others, which is also normal as children are all different. Here’s how you can help:

Tips for all children

Take your child to visit the program where you’ll be leaving him so the caregiver isn’t a complete stranger.

Never leave without telling your child. Always say goodbye, even though she may cry. This helps her trust you and become secure.

Make up a “goodbye” routine you follow every day, such as a hug, then blown kisses. This helps your child know what to expect.

For your young baby (birth to 8 months)

Your tiny baby doesn’t know the difference between you and others, so she may not fuss when you leave. Still, kiss her. Say “bye­bye. I’ll be back.” Your loving words are comforting, and help her learn the sounds of language.

For your older baby (9 – 18 months)

Fear of strangers is common. With baby in your lap, suggest that the “stranger” talk with you while holding a toy the baby can reach. Playing with the toy gives the baby time and space to warm up.

 For your toddler

Your toddler knows he is separate from you, which often feels scary. Help him feel closer by hanging a family picture in his cubby. Give choices when you leave. “Do you want kisses, hugs or both?”

 For your preschooler

3s and 4s can have a hard time separating, especially in new situations. Get your child a “Goodbye notebook.” Every day, ask “What do you want me to write?” Give suggestions at first, like “Mommy loves me,” or “Mommy will pick me up after nap.”

Most of you have probably seen some version of the guidelines below. Even for those of us who have worked with young children for many years, it is always helpful to be reminded of how much children learn and how much they can do for themselves at each developmental stage!

Checklist for Growing Children

Here’s what you can expect your child to be doing from birth to age three. If you have concerns about your baby’s development, call your local Early Intervention Program.

At three months of age, most babies:

• turn their heads toward bright colors and lights
• move both eyes in the same direction together
• recognize bottle or breast
• respond to their mother’s voice
• make cooing sounds
• bring their hands together
• wiggle and kick with arms and legs
• lift head when on stomach
• become quiet in response to sound, especially to speech
• smile

At six months of age, most babies:

• follow moving objects with their eyes
• turn toward the source of normal sound
• reach for objects and pick them up
• switch toys from one hand to the other
• play with their toes
• help hold the bottle during feeding
• recognize familiar faces
• imitate speech sounds
• respond to soft sounds, especially talking
• roll over

At 12 months of age, most babies:

• get to a sitting position
• pull to a standing position
• stand briefly without support
• crawl
• imitate adults using a cup or telephone
• play peek-a-boo and patty cake
• wave bye-bye
• put objects in a container
• say at least one word
• make “ma-ma” or “da-da” sounds

At 18 months of age, most children:

• like to push and pull objects
• say at least six words
• follow simple directions (“Bring the ball”)
• pull off shoes, socks and mittens
• can point to a picture that you name in a book
• feed themselves
• make marks on paper with crayons
• walk without help
• walk backwards
• point, make sounds, or try to use words to ask for things
• say “no,” shake their head, or push away things they don’t want

At two years of age, most children:

• use two-to-three-word sentences
• say about 50 words
• recognize familiar pictures
• kick a ball forward
• feed themselves with a spoon
• demand a lot of your attention
• turn two or three pages together
• like to imitate their parent
• identify hair, eyes, ears, and nose by pointing
• build a tower of four blocks
• show affection

At three years of age, most children:

• throw a ball overhand
• ride a tricycle
• put on their shoes
• open the door
• turn one page at a time
• play with other children for a few minutes
• repeat common rhymes
• use three-to-five-word sentences
• name at least one color correctly

If your child is having trouble doing some of these things, it may put your mind at ease to talk to someone. Early help makes a difference!

Talk with your doctor or call your local Early Intervention Program:

• Growing Up Healthy 24-Hour Hotline 1-800-522-5006
• New York City 311 or 212-639-9675
• New York Parent and Kin Connection Helpline 1-800-345-KIDS (1-800-345-5437)