The way you play with your baby, from the time you bring him home until he starts toddling across the room, helps establish lifelong patterns of thinking. Here are some month-by-month ideas for making the most of that time.
  • One month: Talk to your baby. Babies understand language long before they can speak, so it’s important to talk to your baby even though she is not yet ready to answer. For example, talk your way through each diaper change to let her know what you’re doing and why. Your newborn is happy to hear about every little chore because your voice is music to her ears. Though it sounds simple, talking to your infant is one of the best ways of building brain power, according to this article in the New York Times, "From Birth, Engage Your Child with Talk."
  • Two months: Read to your baby. It’s never too early to turn babies into bookworms. The best baby books feature brightly colored pictures with rhyming, melodic phrasing on sturdy board pages.
  • Three months: When you ask your baby a question, pause for the answer. Respond to his babbles as if he’s actually spoken words. This gives him confidence that he is important to you.
  • Four months: Once your baby can support herself on her elbows, include tummy time in each day’s babies activities. Spread out a soft blanket on the floor and surround her with safe fun-to-touch toys in contrasting colors. Add an unbreakable mirror to the mix; babies love checking themselves out.
  • Five months: Play pick-it-up. When your baby sits in his highchair, allow him to toss his sippy cup over the side. Pick it up and laugh with him when he drops it again. This helps him explore gravity and cause-and-effect.
  • Six months: Now that she’s sitting up to play, give her musical toys to experiment with sound. And be sure to sing to her.
  • Seven months: Does someone in your household or extended family speak a foreign language? Teach your child your child those words right alongside English.
  • Eight months: Crawlers love to explore. Indulge this passion by stocking a low kitchen cupboard with safe items such as stainless steel bowls, plastic lids and chunky wooden spoons.
  • Nine months: Roll a ball back and forth, stack blocks and make them fall—anything active is perfect for this age.
  • Ten months: As she begins to talk, if your child says “baw” instead of “ball,” repeat the proper pronunciation back to her. Don’t scold her, but do say the word correctly yourself, and fight the urge to join her in baby talk.
  • Eleven months: Play peek-a-boo to help teach your child about object permanence—something doesn’t disappear just because it’s covered up.
  • Twelve months: Load up your baby’s bookcase with plenty of board books featuring bright pictures and simple text. Nab them cheap at garage sales, trade with friends, or borrow them from the library.