There is no doubt that parents want to bring up their children to be as intelligent as possible. The problems begin to develop when those parents seek out the best ways to go about early education. Countless products are available that read to children or allow babies to push buttons and hear letter sounds. Are these the best way to educate your little one?

While there is nothing wrong with purchasing these toys, do not confuse them with truly educational toys. The real foundations of early education are in exposure to the spoken language and through discovery. For a true foundation of early education to take place, parents must spend time with their children and help them discover shapes, colors, and numbers.

Comfort

Many experts have found that for a child to be truly ready to understand and begin grasping aspects of the world around her, she must be comfortable. A children’s sleeping bag can keep her warm and cozy, and items such as teddy bears and other plush toys add comfort and familiarity to cribs, bassinets, and play areas. Once a child feels content and at peace, she can begin to take in the world around her.

The Senses

The earliest learning actually takes place before a baby is born. While in the womb, an infant can hear and identify certain sounds including songs and especially her mother’s voice. As hearing adults important in her young life speak is one of the most crucial aspects of building vocabulary, expectant mothers should spend time each day talking to their unborn child. The more familiar a mother’s voice, the more comfortable a child will be upon delivery.

Once a child has arrived and becomes aware of her surroundings, her earliest learning will be sensory. Touching, seeing, smelling, tasting, and hearing are her tools and she will use them as frequently as possible. Rather than letting your little one put every found object into her mouth, find interesting textured playthings such as faux fur or wooden toys. Keep up running conversations and allow your son or daughter to experience all the sights and sounds of both indoors and out.

Educational Toys

Truly educational toys are those which stimulate the senses, but allow the baby to do the work of discovery. Wooden toys offer terrific colors and textures for baby as well as the ability to learn to stack items and how to make things go. Plush toys that hang in cribs or on strollers offer baby something fun to touch or even chew on. Teddy bears can become close friends or trusted allies as your child grows.

This is not to say that toys with lights and bells are not educational, but there will never be any substitute for direct interaction with parents. Children will play with toys that call out the names of colors or shapes, but they will listen and learn while playing with parents doing the same thing. Simply spending time interacting with your child and offering new experiences is the best way to build a foundation for education.

Every new mother has heard it at least once. In fact, so many parents are terrified of doing it, they go a bit too far in the other direction. Spoiling a baby is not the dreadful thing that others might make it out to be. In fact, spoiling a baby is perfectly natural, and even necessary for a happy, healthy baby.

Spoil Your Child

Every child should be spoiled. Children must be lavished with as much parental time and attention as possible, and every need, if not want, should be met quickly and fully. Of course, no parent wants a child who fully expects to receive every item his little heart desires, but small unique toys and plenty of extra time together speak volumes with young children.

Children, even infants, know when they are being well tended. Children granted a great deal of time and exclusive attention from parents have been shown to be calmer, more focused, and even more independent. This is the premise of the new wave of Attachment Parenting. When children have no question as to their value and love, they are more confident and self-assured. While this is only a generality based on studies, research is clear that spoiling children, at least to a degree, is actually a good thing.

Go ahead and hold your baby. Rock her, play with her, carry her, and snuggle her as often as you like. Find unique toys or gifts for your baby to ensure her comfort and happiness. Order a new plush toy or spend the evening showing your baby the best way to build block towers with his soft or wooden toys or how to love a teddy bear. Wrap your newborn in a faux fur blanket as you spend the evening singing lullabies. There is nothing more powerful for a young child than his mother’s loving touch, so there is absolutely no reason to not lavish love and attention on your precious little one.

Too Much of a Good Thing

Of course, there are certain dangers that come with unabashedly spoiling your baby- although most do not appear until the child is out of the infant stage. While it is wonderful to rock a baby to sleep, there will come a time when your young one will simply want to lay down, and you should encourage this as learning to fall asleep is a crucial skill. If a baby is held constantly, she might also lag behind in some developmental areas, so be sure some of your time together is spent as “tummy time” activities or helping her “walk” around the room. Developmental toys are an excellent way to spend time together while aiding baby’s growth.

Finally, the most prominent fear of most new parents is that by spoiling their baby early in life, they will create a tyrannical toddler. This can certainly happen if parents give in to every whim, but generally, the occasional developmental toy or new teddy bear will not become a routine expectation. Of course, there is no reason for your child to not anticipate your undivided attention as often as you can offer it. Undivided parental attention is a child’s right, not a privilege. Spoiling it seems, is simply the best part of parenting.