Book Pick: The Wonky Donkey combines a silly story with a ton of fun rhyming words, creating a memorable pattern in your child's brain. Plus, this laugh-out-loud tale of a kooky donkey also shows the importance of being different and teaches kids about accepting others for who they are.
3. Movement gets the brain going. An active body makes for an active brain, so make learning a hands-on affair.
Book Pick: Get moving with Baby Shark! Featuring a famous little shark your child can't stop talking about, this picture book provides fun and interactive instructions for your little one to act out—from dancing to clapping her hands. Your little learner will be molding fine motor skills and having a blast with the whole shark family, doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo!
4. Stress disables learning. Cortisol, a hormone that kills off connections in the learning and memory parts of the brain, is produced during trauma. While you can't (and shouldn't) protect your child from all stressors, a close relationship with you and other caring adults will help her learn to cope and to feel good about herself.
Book Pick: Bring comfort to your baby with My First Taggies Book: I Love You. Made of soft cloth, your little one can snuggle up with his new favorite book and listen to a story about loving mommy, daddy, and himself. This little read will introduce new textures, encourage curious play, and offers a sweet story about parent-child bonding.
5. Music boosts learning. Singing, listening to, and playing music improves spatial orientation and mathematical thinking. Plus, rhyming builds language skills.
Book Pick: Five Green and Speckled Frogs: A Count–and–Sing Book combines important math practice with language boosting sight words — plus, a fun chance to sing and dance! Teach your child about these five little frogs and their buggy dinners. Your child can sing, count, and dance along all while learning skills that will grow for years to come.