Since an XXL soft toy or another bodysuit does not necessarily help the little one follow in the footsteps of Albert Einstein or Marie Curie, a neuropsychologist helps us choose the gift that specifically accompanies the intellectual and motor learning of our little heads.
They can barely chew, scream or walk, but come Christmas morning they find themselves with a mountain of presents (often much bigger than themselves). Often toys that are appropriate for their age and development So how can you avoid being off base this year and not end up with a child who is more interested in the packaging than the present content? is to consider the baby care section of the store to pick out a gift that will stimulate their language or even walk up to 3 years old. Spoiler alert!screens are still banned.
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Something to look at, speculate
From 0 to 5 months, the baby works on his perception, primarily visual. To help him in this effort, Sylvie Chokron (1), a neuropsychologist and research director of the CNRS, recommends exposing him to objects, card games, of bed bumpers or cuddly toys, black and white, and then some contrasting colors and patterns (dots, stripes, etc.). On the other hand, we avoid pastel shades. Although they are popular with parents for decoration, “they are not well received by children,” says Sylvie Chokron.
During this period and up to the age of 1, the child also discovers touch. According to the neuropsychologist, this precious sense serves as a compass to recognize and recognize the world around him through the fingers or even the mouth. And for this little game, the awareness book is a great learning tool. We choose it from 2 months old to avoid injuries and the more different the better. “smooth materials, others that itch, wrinkle, or sting,” Sylvie Chokron quotes.
One thing led to another and the baby reached one year old and acquired new skills. For him comes the key stage of manipulation. Through it, “the child discovers the coordination of what he sees and what he produces,” explains the neuropsychologist. Therefore, he understands that his actions have meaning. That’s why it’s interesting to offer him games and toys that he needs to understand, all of which have a certain end goal: to make a noise, an image, a smell, a texture. :
What to read and listen to?
Reading is essential from a very young age because it not only allows a sensory opening to the world, but also contributes to the acquisition of language and the development of cognitive and emotional abilities, especially if it is shared is to name it with the child, pointing here and there on the pages,” explains Sylvie Chokron. Some books even include sounds that can trigger or to detect odors.
It is impossible to miss audio players such as Lunii, Yoto or Tonies on store shelves or on the Internet. “Unlike screens, these stories and nursery rhymes enrich a child’s listening attention and understanding from the age of 12 months. This also contributes to the good development of a person’s imagination and language,” says the specialist at the beginning of the “Toudou” youth podcast. France Inter:. On the other hand, Sylvie Chokron insists on one thing: listening to an audio story does not mean being passive. “The child must be able to speak, move, communicate with the adult with whom he is listening,” he observes.
Something to move and grab
Speaking of movement, we mustn’t forget another big change in early childhood. At the age of 1 or 2, our little ones discover movement. From then on, any opportunity to move and walk is a little uncomfortable. That’s why it is valuable to introduce them to crutches to improve their footwork. As such, the walker is beneficial and the balance bike, which are important for learning balance and walking to ride or push on, as trolleys.
From the age of 2, babies can focus on improving their dexterity and the ability to perceive more complex objects. To strengthen this hand-eye coordination, Sylvie Chokron recommends all activities dedicated to motor skills and “fine gestures”. set with shuffleboard or mini bowling, fit with large puzzles or Lego©, collect with cubes, beads or stickers with labels,” he lists. Cooking also strengthens these skills. “It’s an eminently cognitive task, because it integrates social interaction, language, the senses, and takes us away from screens,” assures the neuropsychologist.
Something to color and create
If the movement is well organized at this stage, it feeds into the next, even more important, graphic awareness. . And to help her along the way, Sylvie Chokron praises coloring.
Finally, still in this logic of developing their creativity, the neuropsychologist reminds us of an important element when shopping for Christmas or birthdays: the best is the enemy of the good. “If the child receives only ready-made gifts that he cannot personalize, not having room to maneuver constrains him and slows down the development of his imagination,” warns Sylvie Chokron. popsicle sticks and other handy DIY materials, then let him, always in your arms, create his most beautiful art the case, showing up in the living room. Or the garage, depending on the outcome.
(1) Sylvie Chocron is notably the author in the brain…(Ed. Les Presses de la Cité), €19.90.
Source: Le Figaro
