Teaching your baby is very enjoyable. Babies are capable of learning from the day they are born. The human brain grows at a rapid rate from birth to age 5. Since the baby is already observing everything and everyone, take that learning to the next step.

Cuddle the baby in your arms and walk around his/her room. Start with items which can be easily seen since a baby's visual acuity takes time to develop. Pick up an object, perhaps a stuffed animal, and say the name of the animal. Teach one-word names (tiger, doll, airplane). Let the baby touch the toy as you repeat the name. Also, use the names for bottle, diaper, shirt, etc. as you are feeding or changing him. A baby's brain is like a sponge --- it absorbs a tremendous amount of knowledge.

Read picture books to your baby from Day 1. Choose pictures which are not cluttered with a bunch of objects. One or two items on a page should be the limit. Wooden object books are also enjoyable. A child does not have to be able to speak to be able to learn academics. Babies can learn to read and it starts with you teaching the names of objects.

Don't leave your child in the baby crib when you are cooking. Put the baby swing in the dining room facing the kitchen and let her watch you chop vegetables and prepare dinner. He or she will learn that people do things, and will most likely be fascinated with watching you. You can teach your baby many things by letting her observe your daily activities.

When out in the stroller point to the bushes, flowers, and lawn decorations that you pass along the way. Teach her to notice details. Some people who are unpopular or have poor social skills just really never learned to notice details about people and places.

An older baby, one who can sit up and crawl, can be taught to count. Use items that are too large to be put in the baby's mouth. If your little darling likes to throw things then choose soft objects.

Take the child with you on short errands such as going to the corner store for milk or bread. Expose them to new surroundings and new activities but remember that they have a short attention span. Leave the baby with a sitter when you need to do the weekly shopping.

Plan a variety of outdoor activities. Your list might include a picnic in the park, a trip to the zoo, or planting a flower garden in the backyard. Although the baby cannot physically participate (except maybe with plucking the flowers), he or she will be mentally absorbing all that is going on around him. Teach the baby something new every day.

Learning is much more than academics. Making the extra effort to include your child in as many family routines and activities as possible will help him to learn about his environment and, most importantly, that he is a precious member of the family.

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