Learning Through the Senses
Explore the teachable moments in everyday life.
As babies and toddlers begin to explore their home and surroundings through all of their senses, they can be kept safe, healthy, and engaged:
- “Tummy time” can help babies learn to hold their heads up, crawl, and focus on their surroundings. Set up a small mirror in front of them so they can see their reflection and expressions.
 - Little ones explore by touching anything and everything! Find fun, safe things with different textures for children to touch and explore. Try a cotton ball, a cardboard box, or a small plastic bottle filled with water.
 - Sounds are all around us, and kids love making their own sounds and music. Set up homemade instruments: a pot and spoon can be a drum set, and a paper-towel roll with holes poked in it can be a flute. Encourage siblings to play with sounds together, and use their voices to sing along.
 
								
									
							The Power of Following Children’s Lead
Joining children in their play offers so many opportunities to encourage, communicate, bond, spark and share joy, teach, show warmth and kindness, and help them thrive.
								
									
							Go To Sleep, Elmo!
Handling a middle-of-the-night monster moment.
								
									
							Monster Meltdown
Meltdowns happen… but they are somewhat predictable! As you try to handle them, curiosity and patience go a long way.
								
									
							Milestones: Your 18-Month Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
								
									
							Milestones: Your Two-Year-Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
								
									
							Milestones: Your One-Year-Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
								
									
							Milestones: Your Baby’s First Year
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
