Being a nanny for a baby can be the dream job. Babies are sweet, adorable and curious! But more than anything they are little sponges, soaking in everything every moment of the day. Remember through all the cuteness you are their teacher and they look to your guidance in learning. When a baby is between the ages of six months and one year, there are lot of activities that you can do with them that will be good for their growth and development. Whether you are nanny or a parent here are a couple ideas that help babies stay cognitively active.
- Read to them. Start reading to babies early on and introduce books with beloved characters as well as interactive books that are appealing to the touch and eye. Reading a bedtime story will soothe babies and offer time for you both to have a special connection.
- Help them deal with separation anxiety. Most babies have a person they prefer to be with by the time they become one year old. If that person happens to be you, take the opportunity to teach him or her how to better deal with separation anxiety. Don’t make a fuss when you’re leaving, and definitely don’t just sneak out, because it will do more harm than good. Instead, just tell them goodbye and that you will be back. Keep in mind there may be tears but they will soon go away.
- Teach them how to feed themselves. This will take time and dedication. Start with foods they love, and encourage them to feed themselves (no matter how messy it gets) offer big smiles and cheer when they start attempting to eat by themselves. Slowly integrate a spoon and teach them to eat soft foods from a bowl or plate. Make meal time fun and playful. Giggles should always be welcome at the dinner table.
Babies are born ready to learn, and their brains develop through use. A child needs a stimulating environment with lots of different activities that give him/her plenty of ways to play and learn, and lots of chances to practice what he/she is learning.
