When To Start Teaching Your Baby (1)

When is it that I should start teaching my baby? That is a question that may come to mind for many first time parents; other parents may never consider the question at all, and just leave things to evolve naturally.

In a way, that is an unnecessary question as, whether you like it or not and whether you mean to or not, you begin teaching your baby while it is still in the womb, and then continue through its early years, teenage years, and even into adulthood. So, perhaps it is better to rephrase that question slightly to "when should I consciously start teaching my baby?"

Even with the rephrased question, the answer is the same: while the baby is in the womb. How can that be?

While the baby is in the womb it starts to learn about its environment after about six months of pregnancy, when it is capable of hearing external sounds. Of course, it is aware of its internal environment earlier than that, but there is little you can do to enhance that. But when it comes to the external environment, you are in a position to have some influence even from that early stage of development.

What Can You Teach Your Baby In The Womb?

With the baby in the womb there is clearly a very limited scope for teaching as such. However, you can provide additional stimulation that will form an important part of their learning at that stage. You can provide many hints as to what the outside environment is like, in a way that sets a good foundation for their feeling of love and security.

The main external awareness of a baby in the womb is sound. If you can make the external sounds comforting and welcoming then that will help the baby more than you may think. Music is a proven stimulation to babies, especially classical music; a daily dose of Mozart will stimulate the baby's brain and senses. With any luck, they will become a musical talent, but that is not an issue at this stage of their development.

You do not, of course, have to restrict her to classical music. Whatever music you like, just turn the volume up a bit more than usual to ensure she hears it. The sound will be muffled, but by the time baby is born, she will be used to your musical tastes. Your aim should be to make the outside environment familiar to the baby. Most of that will happen naturally, and she will become used to the daily sounds, such as vacuum cleaner, liquidizer, lawnmower and other domestic noises that are penetrating.

Our baby daughter was born in the Philippines, where our usual form of transport is a tricycle. I do not think it a coincidence that, once she was born, she was contented with the noise of a tricycle; and they are noisy here, I assure you, especially outside the womb! However noisy the tricycle, she would always be asleep within a minute or two, and even now at 20 months is particularly relaxed on a deafening tricycle.

If you want to insist on having a most important sound in the womb, then it must be the voices of the parents. Getting to know the voice of mum and dad will come naturally, but dad especially can get up close and talk to the baby in the womb. It will not talk back of course, but you can rest assured, if she is awake, she will be intrigued by your up close and personal voice. It is something I did every evening with Saffron. That also had the effect of keeping her awake as long as possible during the evening, so she was less restless at night. That can be very helpful for mum to get a good night's sleep.

Another external stimulation which I never learnt about for my now grown up children, and that is light. This can be even more useful for keeping baby awake in the evening. If you take a powerful flashlight, switch it on, and hold it close to mum's tummy, the baby in the womb will respond to it. I must say I thought it a silly idea, until the then unborn Saffron started moving every time the light was switched on. So, the flashlight became another tool in the "keep baby awake in the evening" campaign to stop mum being kicked so much during the night.

Maybe Saffron did not appreciate my "keep her awake" tactics. She was probably wondering "who is this guy keeping me awake all the time; doesn't he realise I want to get some sleep?"

However, she does seem to have done well on it. She has slept like a log all night, every night apart from one, since she was just a few months' old. The odd night? Apparently, a bad dream at 11 pm. A quick cuddle and words of reassurance, and she was back to sleep again.

Whether that has any connection to her in-the-womb experiences, I cannot say for sure. But I will definitely be using the same tactics again next time, if we are blessed with a baby sister or brother for her.

This teaching baby article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner author of the Bouncing New Baby website. Ably assisted by his baby daughter, he is also responsible for the Baby Blog

---

Baby Shower Party Decorations to Liven up Your Baby Shower

An excellent source of information providing the perfect baby shower... Read More

Preparing A Layette For Your New Baby

First of all, in case you do not know, what... Read More

Dressing A Toddler, Whomever She Is Today

Some things we take for granted. Like getting dressed. Unless... Read More

Tips for Discreet Breastfeeding in Public

If you're a new Mom who is nursing your baby... Read More

Basic Guide To Choosing Toys For Babies

A baby's only activities until the age of two months... Read More

Naming Ceremonies: Advice for First Time Godparents

Congratulations! It is a great honour your friends have done... Read More

Baby Shower for Mom and the Ladies

Baby Shower for Moms who just wanna have fun! This... Read More

Baby Gift Guide

Having a baby is one of the most amazing things... Read More

Baby Eating Habits ? Which Approach Do You Take

One of the first decisions we make is if we... Read More

Family Life or How to Buy Chair for a New Baby

Even if your baby is just weeks old now, you'll... Read More

Baby Furniture Essentials for Your New Baby

Baby furniture can be made up of many different pieces... Read More

How to Choose a Diaper Bag

Even though it's a popular shower gift, you may want... Read More

Tips and Tricks for Introducing Solids to Your Baby

Helping your child move from breast breast milk or formula... Read More

Baby Shower Planning and Hosting

Planning and organization are crucial to hosting a successful baby... Read More

Baby Shower Checklist-Hostess

Using baby shower checklist-hostess are the best way to stay... Read More

Selecting a Baby Shower Theme: Easy as One Two Three

No aspect of party planning is more crucial and sometimes... Read More

Getting to Know Your Baby: Babys Second Month Guide

Time has flown. Your little bundle of joy has been... Read More

Potty Training At Daycare and Preschool

With 61% of children between the ages of birth and... Read More

Baby Proof Your Home - Frequently Asked Questions

Keeping your baby safe at all times is one of... Read More

3 Simple Steps In Searching For A Baby Name

1) BRAINSTORMIt is a good idea to pick a baby... Read More

Wasp and Bee Stings to Babies

Are you expecting a baby? Are you planning on having... Read More

The Personality Traits of an Aquarius Baby

Your Aquarius Baby..January 20 - February 18Your Aquarian baby will... Read More

20 Popular Quotations About Babies

1. "A baby is God's way of saying the world... Read More

Does The Size Of Your Baby Matter?

Does size matter? No, not that! Is your baby too... Read More

Protecting Your Baby and Toddler from the Sun

Babies and young children have thinner and more delicate skin... Read More

Real Nappies (Cotton Nappies) or Disposables - The Debate

I'm sure you have heard some of the debate surrounding... Read More

Baby Shower Invitations Add Style To Baby Announcements

Baby shower invitations set the tone for the big dayBaby... Read More

Feng Shui Fertility: Six Ways to Create More Baby Chi

Today, feng shui is used for everything from arranging office... Read More

A Baby Shower Cake is the Highlight of the Baby Shower

When you're holding a baby shower one of the most... Read More

How to Buy Infants? Best Educational Toys?

Buying educational toys for infants can be difficult, because infants... Read More

Choosing Baby Names for Twins

Choosing a baby name for your new born can be... Read More

Selecting The Right Type of Stroller For Your Lifestyle

Having a baby is exciting, but also very tough! There... Read More

Prepare Your Child For Potty Training

When your child shows a majority of the signs of... Read More