Part 1: Learning During the First Few Weeks of Life

The First Few Weeks of Life
Your baby will gain feelings of security by having her physical needs met promptly and regularly in response to her cries. When your baby cries because she is hungry, feed her. If she is fussy because her diaper is wet, change her. If she seems to simply want to be held, hold her. These simple and repetitive acts of serving and comforting your child are the means by which your child learns who you are and that she can trust you. Do all you can to foster the bond that is now being forged with your child.

It is okay to let your child cry sometimes—especially after you have done everything you can to soothe and comfort her. But by and large, you should respond to your baby’s crying in whatever way seems most likely to comfort her. Some babies are quiet, demanding little attention. Busy parents can easily neglect such “low maintenance” babies and fail to provide a stimulating environment. Often the inactive, good-natured, non-crying baby is the baby who needs environmental stimulation the most. Make certain you are consistently comforting, holding, and talking to your baby.

The first 10 months your child’s life should be a time filled with joy and positive experiences as your child learns to know and trust you and gains confidence in herself. Do all you can to help your child have good feelings about interacting with you. Frequently give her your full attention. Smile at her, talk to her, sing to her, and hold her.

Along with nurturing feelings of security, a major purpose of initiating early interactions with your child is to nurture your child’s intelligence. There is overwhelming reason to believe that stimulation of mental activity at the earliest possible age is vital. You should consistently provide varied sensory experiences for your child.

During the first ten months of your child’s life, focus on systematically building her pre-vocabulary skills, encouraging vocalization, and increasing her visual, listening, and muscular skills. Allow your baby to sit or recline in many positions. She should be situated in different locations in the home where she can see a variety of items, shapes, and colors both inside and outside the crib.