I was in New York recently on a business trip. I have to admit I am not a subway chic I am a cabby. If you haven’t been in the big city lately, you might not know there are video screens in the cabs. ( Plus the greatest perk you can pay by credit card.) There are always promotions of the best of Broadway, great restaurants and local attractions. There is often a message from a celebrity or local government official. This time the message was very simple and to the point: Talk-Read-Sing to your children it makes a difference.
That said it all! Talk to your child, give them language. Read to your child daily and sing and dance with your child. There is a magic connection between words and movement. The first three years of development are significant. Brain growth is contingent on the interplay between genes and environment. Experience and repetition strengthens the connection of the brain and the influences are long lasting.
I once gave this speech to one of my parents. She was really a lovely women, but she took this way to heart. Upon her arrival at school the next day, I over heard her saying to her daughter. “We are walking through the door into the school building. I am going to open the security door with my code, and then we are going to walk down the hall to your classroom.” OMG just a little too intense but I applaud her effort.
Remember YOU are your child’s first teacher!
In Mother Words…..parent on
P.S. I believe talking and reading and singing to your child in utero is a must.
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