Baby learning is easy. Every single day is new and all that happens each day is new as well. Show a baby a zipper and they learn. Put their hand under running water and they learn. Parents are narrators to the world around their kids and facilitators in making even the mundane an adventure to be had. While historically as humans we have believed babies know nothing upon being born, they’re intuitive little sponges that absorb everything they see and hear. So harness their learning potential from day one to start raising a rational thinker.
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Raising a Rational Thinker
I have always said that one of the things I did right in this parenting gig from day one is to raise problem solvers. Both my kids are fiercely independent because of it.
Before having kids, I taught in a high school classroom.
I had 125 kids ages 14-16 and they taught me so much about life, parenting, and what I wanted my kids to be like.
And what I definitely didn’t want them to become.
Furthermore, it was a blessing to have experience teach high schoolers because I know what I expected from my students; therefore, I can teach my own children all those skills. And I want to.
But when they’re so young, sometimes it’s mind-mushing to not be able to dig deep into meaningful conversations with them.
But does that mean I should let my mind melt into a puddle of goop while I wait?
Of course not.
Easy ways expand your baby’s mind with a bit of intentional parenting.
Do not change your vocabulary.
Don’t “dumb down” words, bring your kids to your level. Expect your kids to learn words like facetious instead of silly, mundane instead of boring, and abhor instead of “don’t like” or “hate”.
Read. Everyday.
This can be anything. Reading the newspaper to a child is still spending time with them and it is still allowing them to hear spoken language. Baby books are great too. In fact, the ones with one word per one picture help us make connections and remember better. Our brains are wired for relationships.
Talk to your child like an adult.
They will respond to you whether you use “baby talk” or not. So respect them and they will respect you. This is not to say you should not imitate their sounds as an infant because that does help them develop
So respect them and they will respect you. This is not to say you should not imitate their sounds as an infant because that does help them develop
This is not to say you should not imitate their babbles as an infant because that does help them develop language skills. However, do treat them as if they are rational, thinking individuals throughout childhood. Because they are. And they have more self-confidence if they feel like you are not just giving them lip-service. Their point-of-view
And they have more self-confidence if they feel like you are not just giving them lip-service. Their point-of-view is important.
If your child says something ridiculous, don’t correct them. Ask them to explain. Kids see the world through innocent and wondering eyes. If a child wants to “sciz” his paper then just asked him to elaborate. To him, mowers mow, players play, blenders blend, so scissors must sciz. You will discover a whole new world by not simply correcting and writing off a child. Even with high-schoolers, allowing them to explain was a valuable tool for me and would lend insight into their minds.
Kids see the world through innocent and wondering eyes. If a child wants to “sciz” his paper then just asked him to elaborate. To him, mowers mow, players play, blenders blend, so scissors must sciz.
You will discover a whole new world by not simply correcting and writing off a child.
Even with high-schoolers, allowing them to explain was a valuable tool for me and would lend insight into their minds.
Make the everyday tedious and mundane activities fun and learning experiences. For young kids, let them help you fold clothes. This helps with fine motor skills. This also helps with matching. You can have a pile for shirts, pants, underwear, etc. And they must be placed in those piles. As kids develop a little more, have them match socks. My husband’s dress socks are perfect for this. They tend to be the same color with different patterns or stitching.
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Kara is an author and advocate for positive, grace-filled parenting. She is homeschooler to her 5 children living on a farm in New England. She believes in creative educational approaches to help kids dive deeper into a rich learning experience and has her degree in Secondary Education & Adolescent Childhood Development. She is passionate about connecting with and helping other parents on their journey to raise awesome kids!
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