You may think newborn are not actively learning but they are. They begin learning even before birth. Babies learn through experiences with their world. Interaction is at the heart of learning and, all children benefit from spending time with adults who are close to them. From birth, infants take in their world through their developing senses. The senses of hearing, touch and smell are the most developed during the first three months of life. Sight develops significantly during these first few months, but babies in this age range focus best on items 8-12 inches away. Adult faces become a major focal point.

 Try these activities to help them make new brain connection, activate their sense and build muscles.

1. While feeding the baby –
   • Explain what you’re doing while preparing for feeding as well during the feeding. For example: “My baby is crying, I hear you, it sounds like you’re hungry, Let’s get ready for feeding session”
   • During the feeding – if baby is in happy mood and active, make “music” while making eye contact, sing your favorite rhyme, song or tune, whistle, make noises using your tongue and try variations in your voice.
2. While changing the diaper
   • You may hang a black and white mobile above your diaper station and let baby focus on the mobile, this will help them build their eye muscle and develops vision.
   • During bath, touch their feet, tickle them or make a song about their body parts, for example: “Here’s your head, water is flowing on your head”
   • After bath time, when baby is well-fed and in happy mood, put your baby on tummy, offer them some black and white cards in standing card holder.
3. Take a tour –
   • Everything in the world is new for babies, they are curious to learn about everything. Satisfy their learning craving by giving them a house tour or take them out for a walk. Describe the things you see, for example, “this is a tree, look at the flower, it’s yellow color, isn’t it beautiful” These conversations help them build new connections in their brain and develops their brain architecture.
   • Give your baby a soothing rattle (wooden rattle, crochet) while riding the stroller, show them how they can make noise with it.
4. Share stories –
   • Read some stories to your baby in calming tone, read it with expression and using parentese (baby like slow tone of voice preferred by babies) and make eye contact
   • Show some black and white flashcards while explaining the pictures with expressions
5. Bed time routine –
   • Create a Goodnight routine by taking your baby around the room and saying goodnight to people, favorite toys and objects
   • Play or sing her favorite lullaby or soothing music while you settle your baby in bed.
   • Routine helps baby in predicting what comes after a particular event and makes new patterns in brain.