| The words "tabula rasa" literally means "blank slate". | | | | notice that your little one would keep on waving his |
| This philosophical concept is based on the belief that | | | | rattle in order to produce a specific sound. You might |
| an individual is born without any mental content and | | | | also notice that, at two to four months of age, your |
| that such content only comes from experience and | | | | baby would start kicking or hitting dangling objects |
| perception. | | | | while laying on their back in an effort to produce a |
| Recent studies about the development of the human | | | | sound or to make it move. At this age, your baby |
| brain has shown that, although the brain cells are | | | | would begin to appreciate crib mobiles, rattles as well |
| completely formed when a child is born, it is only upon | | | | as teethers that they can pick up and shake. |
| gaining experience that the neurons get to connect | | | | By the time your baby is eight to twelve months of |
| with one another. Regardless whether "nurture" takes | | | | age, he or she would already be able to show |
| precedence over "nature", one thing clearly remains - it | | | | appreciation for books with large and colorful pictures, |
| is during the first few years of a child's life that the | | | | musical instruments, building blocks, and push-pull toys. It |
| shaping of the mind can effectively take place. But | | | | is also at this stage when your little one tends to show |
| how does one impart knowledge to a toddler? | | | | fine tuning of their gross motor skills. You would notice |
| As improbable as it may see, toys actually form a | | | | that they are now learning how to efficiently use their |
| good way by which one can shape a child's mind. | | | | fingers when doing things. |
| However, you cannot use just about any toy. You | | | | Between the ages of one and two years old, your |
| have to consider the age appropriateness of the toy | | | | toddler would be more attracted to pretend or |
| as well as what area or type of intelligence the toy | | | | imaginative play. He or she would start to show |
| develops. By choosing the right toy, you can actually | | | | preference for dressing up as well as for pretending to |
| increase the IQ level of your child by as much as 50 | | | | do "adult stuff" like cleaning the house, taking care of |
| points. | | | | the children, and going to work. |
| As early as a few weeks from the time of childbirth, | | | | Keep in mind that taking time to ensure that your |
| you can already start stimulating your baby's senses. | | | | baby's toys are age-appropriate can help develop his |
| Since your baby would still have fuzzy eyesight, you | | | | brain in a much better and faster way. However, this |
| should go for toys as well as pictures that are brightly | | | | does not mean that you have to spend a lot of money |
| colored. At this stage also, your little one would already | | | | buying expensive toys. Oftentimes, simple ones would |
| be able to show appreciation for soft music. | | | | do as babies do not really pay much attention to the |
| In a few weeks' time, your baby would start to show | | | | brand. |
| the ability to connect cause with effect. You might | | | | |