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The Mind of the Baby

Unleashing Your Child's Potential

By Marie-Helen Goyetche

"Just by making eye contact, Justin knows if he can continue what he's doing," says Caroline of her 2-year-old son. "He will touch things I won't allow him to. I know that he knows he's not to touch them. He's trying to see if I changed my mind."

The way a 3-year-old child sees information, registers it and learns from it, she is learning twice as fast as an adult will. Ever heard the expression, "Children soak up information like a sponge"? Many children younger than 3 are exposed to a second language and never tell themselves they can't do it. They learn it by seeing, doing and trying.

The best way to enhance your baby's learning or give extra stimulation is simply by spending more time with your child. If you are working outside the home, make sure your child is in a high-quality child-care setting.

"The ideal situation for toddlers and infants would be to have several attentive caring adults and older children who play with the baby regularly in a rich physical environment," Gopnik says.

During the time you spend with the baby, try to play, talk, exchange and be attentive with your child. Use all occasions as they are presented. If your baby's in the mood to dance, then join in and dance with your baby. If she's playing peek-a-boo, engage in a game of peek-a-boo. Be spontaneous and get down on the floor and interact with your child. Your child will learn in situations where play isn't present.