| Many people have the preconceived notion that | | | | easily learn how to add, subtract, multiply and |
| children aren't ready to learn much until they are | | | | divide. |
| 5 or 6 years old. That couldn't be further from | | | | When we expose babies to music, they are able |
| the truth. In the last century, early childhood | | | | to learn perfect pitch as well as the names of the |
| educators have discovered that the optimal time | | | | notes. If exposed to classical music and told what |
| to teach babies almost anything is from birth to 5 | | | | the pieces are, they will be able to identify the |
| years old. Babies are wired to learn from birth, so | | | | music of different composers and different |
| what canwe teach them? | | | | periods. |
| First of all, babies are born linguistic geniuses. They | | | | If babies are allowed to spend time on their |
| can learn any language. This includes foreign | | | | tummies, they are able to crawl, creep, and walk |
| languages, sign language and even written | | | | much earlier than children that are not given these |
| language, giving babies the ability to read before | | | | opportunities. Babies are able to learn how to |
| their first birthdays. | | | | swim beginning at birth. They actually know how |
| Babies that are taught sign language are able to | | | | to swim; they have been doing it for 9 months. |
| communicate their needs much sooner than | | | | They just need to be given the opportunity to |
| babies that depend on verbal communication. | | | | continue practicing their skills. |
| Babies that are exposed to foreign language from | | | | Babies are like sponges, waiting to absorb all they |
| birth are able to speak like a native with no | | | | can from their environment. It is our duty as |
| accent. The younger we teach our babies | | | | parents and caregivers to create an environment |
| language, the faster and better they learn it. | | | | that is rich in language, music, math, science and |
| Babies can also learn how to recognize true | | | | whatever else might interest our babies. From |
| quantity. When babies are taught quantity before | | | | birth to five we are laying the foundation for a |
| the numerical equivalent, they are able to then | | | | love of learning for a lifetime. |