Nom Nom Nom

We have graduated. Graduated that is from constantly gumming on every toy within our reach to banging toys together. To me this thrills me. This shows me that my little hippo is learning to explore her world in new ways and learning how objects can work together. It's amazing how much learning she does in a day!

Now that we're banging more toys together than gumming does not necessarily mean I discourage her from mouthing objects; because she still will mouth objects. In fact I still encourage her to explore toys with all her senses, understanding that oral exploration is important for her development. Exploring toys orally allows my little hippo to learn movements of her tongue, learn where her gum line is and learn where her teeth will be. It also allows her to learn different positions and movements of her tongue in her mouth that are important for later speech sounds.

Try allowing your little one to explore his or her world with all their senses. That means that yes teddy bears can go in your mouth. Yes mommy's ruler is fun to chew on. Yes daddy's slipper is smooth to gnaw on. Yes that rattle is exciting. Yes that toy is bumpy. Yes that whisk is so fun to stick your tongue through.... so go ahead let your little babe explore and develop their skills.

Check out some of our favorite "toys" to chew on these days.

Building Language While Reading

Let me start by saying books are amazing.  Why are books so amazing? The images paired with your little babies interests literally provide mini vocabulary sessions.

My sweet little hippo is just about seven months and we read books upon books, upon books, upon books, upon ... well you get the idea.  My little hippo even has her favorites; a Curious George Mirror Book, Very First Gruffalo,  and That's Not My Monkey.

These are her favorite right now because they are interactive and have details for her to touch and feel. Her Curious George book has mirrors that allow her to see herself, kiss her reflection and allow me to talk about her eyes, ears, nose, lips, etc.

Although this is her favorite, I like her other books better; and its not because of the story line. Trust me. I just feel it is easier to talk about items in those books. Such as "look at the monkey's feet", "look at his nose", "do you feel his nose?", and so forth.

When I read books we dont follow the story line. Instead I talk about what she touches and is focusing on. When I "read"  to her it goes something like this;

Mamma:  "There's the gruffalo. He's a big gruffalo. Look at his nose. Touch his nose. Gruffalo's nose. His nose. Where's your nose? There's mama's nose. Oh yep there's his silly nose. It's a green nose. Ewww yucky nose."

Hippo: Drooly grin

Mamma: "oh did you see his nose again? Such a silly nose. There's his nose. Can you touch his nose? His nose has a -- oh! We're turning the page?  Ok, turn the page.... oh look at his knobbly knees!"

And on and on it goes.  What is important to remember is that it is O.K. read only a few minutes at a time, not follow the story line and not "finish" a book.

Early Reading Tips

- only read for as long as your baby tolerates

- talk and sing about the pictures you see

- point to the words and show your children the words

- let them hold the book (even if upside down)

- talk about what they touch

- make books part of your daily routine

- show them the cover of the book

- let them play with books beside you and you read your books

- most important; make reading fun and enjoyable

So go ahead read some books. What are your favorite books?