Just about everywhere you look there are intelligence-boosting products promising to give your child an intellectual edge. But where has this strong trend in early learning come from and are there any benefits to be gained from it?
Macquarie University lecturer and specialist in infant and toddler development Dr Sheila Degotardi says the ‘teach your child early’ product boom comes as a result of an increase in pressures on schools and parents to introduce academic learning earlier.
“Many parents understandably respond to this pressure and want to ensure that their children are not left behind,” Dr Degotardi explains. “Toy and book manufacturers therefore design and market products to tap into this concern.”
Despite this, Dr Degotardi says it is best to keep a child’s learning experiences as natural as possible.
“There is little to be gained when the adult imposes learning on a baby without thinking about whether the learning is relevant and useful for the baby at this time in her life,” she says. “Babies learn best through relaxed, real-world experiences, so benefits will follow when adults and babies play together in a natural, meaningful way.”
Babies enjoy the closeness of sharing a book with their parent. It’s an important and enjoyable interaction. This shared experience helps them learn about patterns of language and the value of books and reading.
“These experiences are rich context for verbal, non-verbal and emotional communication, which can strengthen relationships and build self-esteem and confidence,” Dr Degotardi says. “For this learning to happen though, the babies need to be interested in the books. I suggest that parents follow their baby’s lead, rather than any formal academic motive, when selecting books for their babies. As a young toddler, my son loved to look at cookery books, so we shared many enjoyable times chatting about photos of casseroles and cakes.”
Some littlies love books about colours, shapes and numbers, and they certainly won’t do your child any harm. It’s just important to keep in perspective what these books can and can’t do for them. If your child does show an interest, it’s important to focus on their enjoyment rather than providing an academic edge.
“When a baby is interested in something, they will show this interest and parents can respond in natural ways,” Dr Degotardi says.
Furthermore, there’s no need for parents to follow any traditional rules when reading books.
“Parents can use books in a way that maintains and builds on their baby’s interest and participation,” Dr Degotardi says. “Reading a book word for word is not as important as sharing what you both can see and enjoying the relaxed time spent together.
“In this way, reading together becomes part of everyday living and this will lead to a love of books and learning that babies will take with them as they grow.”
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