what's baby thinking'

From birth, babies are already wired to respond, to think, to see, to hear and to learn. They can't speak, but they communicate by their gestures and movements. They need early stimulation through human contact and interactions, alongside toys and experiences that promote and build upon their inborn skills and reflexes. This early stimulation and interaction between parent and child is the first part of a baby understanding, exploring and interacting. It is one of the most important parts of early development and promotes brain stimulation that is important for later learning and life skills.

what's baby thinking'

Understandably, parents often think baby is a blank slate, only able to feed, cry and sleep (or not…as the case may be). But, the time after birth is one of the most important parts of early cognitive development.

Kathy’s own research, coupled with that of leading US Early Childhood experts, says babies are born with significant mental abilities that form the basis for thinking and learning. Babies can mimic sounds, comprehend different tones of voice, examine facial expressions and respond accordingly to all of these.

Babies have certain reflexes that allow them to suck, to cry and to grasp with their hands. They have a range of cries depending upon whether they are hungry, tired, or in discomfort. They recognise their mother’s smell and are already able to focus on people’s faces. They attach mainly to their primary carers and by about 6 months of age, realise if someone other than their parent or carer is around them.

They take in information by watching our facial expressions, listening to our voices and mouthing objects such as toys and teething rings. And as they start to sit up and crawl, they explore a range of things.

In other words, there is a lot going on inside a young baby's mind, even though it is not as refined or mature as that of an older child.

These innate abilities need daily stimulation and interaction with primary carers to progress healthy brain and social development.

Kathy states that research strongly indicates that young babies must have daily interaction with adults - touch, smiles, play, singing, cuddling and talking. This facilitates healthy brain development and continues to build upon the aspects of the brain at birth. Without this daily interaction, baby may become detached from their primary carer and lose their natural curiosity to explore and interact with their environment.

Without these early opportunities, future relationships, learning and life may be more challenging and difficult.

Use the sidebar to the right to see how you can encourage your baby’s brain development.

lets get practical

Use these quick tips and activites to help with your baby's develoment.

  • kathys quick tips
    • 1
      Provide overhead mobiles that hang about 30-45 centimetres from your child’s face. This stimulates their visual and brain development. Too far away from their eyes makes it difficult for them to focus in their early months.
    • 2
      Some mobiles may be close enough that the baby, as they grow, can reach out to touch them. Touching is an important part of learning to take in information.
    • 3
      Provide music in the background from time to time that is quiet and gentle. It is soothing and provides other stimuli for the baby.
    • 4
      When you talk or sing or hold baby, keep your own eyes focussed on their eyes.
    • 5
      They are born with a fascination with the human face. They love to look and stare at you, to smile and giggle. This eye contact helps the baby to learn to focus when you speak and interact with them.
    • 6
      Give your baby lots of cuddles. Human touch actually promotes brain development and helps the wiring of the brain to continue to progress.
    • 7
      Use routine times such as nappy changing, feeding and dressing to talk, laugh, smile, tickle and interact warmly with your baby. These daily experiences build a strong bond and this facilitates learning and self esteem.
  • featured activity
    • 1
      Make sure your baby has lots of small toys to hold, to suck on, to mouth and to squeeze. This is very important in helping babies to begin to understand their world, through the hands on experiences we provide for them.
    • 2
      Give them toys that they can hold, squeeze, and that have sounds and textures. All of this promotes sensory experiences that help your child’s perception skills.

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