Parents as Teachers

Somewhere along the line, you had a favorite teacher. Chances are, you still remember what made him or her so special.

Teachers make an incredible impact on our lives. Their influence often makes a difference in how well we do and what we achieve later in life. Why is this important to you as a new parent when your baby’s first day of school is so far away?

Scientists have explored the brains of babies and young children. They now know that during the first five years of life, the brain has windows of opportunity for learning. Just as an electrician must carefully run wiring throughout a new house during construction, your baby’s brain must wire itself for the future. The brain wires itself in reaction to the world that surrounds it.

In the earliest years, you help your baby’s brain develop properly through appropriate nurturing. Nurturing means giving your baby all the things necessary to grow and thrive. In addition to healthy food, nurturing means reading books to your baby, singing songs and giving lots of love and affection. It means playing music, telling stories, holding and making eye contact when you feed your baby. It means a safe place to live and doctor visits at the right times.

Scientists have discovered that appropriate nurturing can increase a child’s IQ by 10 or more points. Growth rates in premature babies can be doubled. Grade promotion rates increase, and adjustment to school can be easier.

Even children with special needs may perform at grade level in school. Regardless of capacity, all children benefit from nurturing. Clearly, success in school is directly connected with what happens from conception through early childhood.

As a parent and your child’s first teacher, take advantage of the windows of opportunity described in this book. In addition, you will find guidelines for physical, language, intellectual, and social-emotional activities and milestones for typical development in ages birth to 6 months, 6 to 12 months, 1 to 2 years, 2 to 3 years, 3 to 4 years, and 4 to 5 years.

Remember, as your child’s first teacher, you play a vital role in making sure your child is ready to learn all that he or she can.