I always feel so rushed around the holidays… particularly this year as we celebrate for the first time in our own home. It seems like every day it’s something. Shopping, cleaning, preparing for guests, decorating, cooking….it can be overwhelming. Jason and I have such tight schedules and we struggle to find time to spend together as a family.
This holiday season Mom Central and Baby Einstein have teamed up to provide tips and resources for moms who want to spend more quality time with their young children. The holidays are the perfect time to create meaningful moments and experiences. One of the things my husband and I started doing was reading with my son every night before bed. This time is special for all of us because it allows us to sit down and stop amidst the busyness of our lives and focus on my son. Reading is beneficial in so many ways and we’re hoping that regular nighttime reading will instill a love of learning and books within my son.
Thanks to Mom Central and Baby Einstein, my son received an interactive package which included the 10th anniversary special edition Baby Mozart™ DVD, the Baby Einstein Touch and Feel Baby Animals board book and the Lullaby Classics CD, a compilation of classical Baby Einstein soothing sounds.
My son absolutely loves the Touch and Feel Baby Animals board book. The books are appealing to young babies and toddlers who are discovering their world through touch. I love the tips on the back of the book that help parents go beyond passive reading to engaging in active learning. The Lullaby Classics CD is a soothing collection of melodies designed to help your tot fall asleep. I actually really like classical music so I found this to be “easy on the ears.” My son hasn’t quite discovered music yet but he didn’t seem to dislike it. The Baby Mozart™ DVD features soothing music, baby-friendly real-life images, and enchanting puppet shows which seem to be my son’s favorite aspect of the DVD. The segments are fluid and I feel like the DVD does a good job of connecting objects with real life. On the site you’ll find age and stage-specific tips to help you spark discovery and make every moment count.
Check out the Baby Einstein website for interactive tools that will you engage with your babies and tots. Because of the controversy surrounding children and television, I found their DVD viewing tips to be enlightening and freeing. Profuse thanks to Mom Central and Baby Einstein for this review opportunity.
DVD Viewing Tips
Without exception, one of the most significant moments of discovery for any mom, is the day she realizes her baby truly recognizes her and wants her above all others. That bond, the super-glue of parent child attachment, is the foundation for baby’s healthy development.
At Baby Einstein, each DVD is designed to reinforce parent-child interaction by providing visually interesting, entertaining content that you and your baby can watch together. Whether the theme is art, music, or barnyard animals, each DVD offers an opportunity to cuddle, share, talk, or sing along with your baby. The DVD can also be a jumping off point for more parent child interaction during your everyday routine.
Talk! Talk! Talk!
From the moment we say that first hello to our new baby, we begin developing our little one’s language. So, when you’re watching a Baby Einstein DVD, you don’t have to be quiet. This is a chance to create little stories.
For example, if you see mechanical toys on the DVD, describe the action to your baby—“see the seals go UP the ladder. Now they’re sliding DOWN and around– very fast.” If your baby starts “talking” back to your sounds, praise, cuddle, and imitate your baby to keep the conversation going. Even if you feel self-conscious about talking to a 6 month old, just stay the course. Your baby is probably listening and may show you with a smile, nod, or squeal, the many different ways they understand your language.
From the Video Theme to the Real World Scene
Whenever there is an opportunity to link what you have seen on the DVD to other experiences in baby’s life, make that connection. For example, if you watched a DVD about animals, you might say, “Oh, look. There’s a BIG fish on the screen. Do we have another fish in our house?” And off you go to look at your gold fish. This kind of activity shows baby that something we see in one place can be seen in other places too.
Bring it to Life
If children or puppets on the DVD are jumping or dancing, you can hold your little one and dance along to show baby how it feels. You can also play infant sized musical instruments to accompany the DVD Orchestra. Or, try using puppets or baby’s favorite stuffed animals to mimic the action in the DVD. You may get giggles from your little one. Babies usually want to do what they see and you can make that happen.
Make it Personal
Try making connections between what happens on screen with what happens in baby’s life. If you have a DVD that contains sign language, try some of the simpler signs with your baby. If you see how the puppets always do silly stuff, bring a puppet to mealtime to help you serve the food or provide additional encouragement to complete the meal.
Make it a Family Affair
Consider using DVD time as a way to interact with the whole family. If baby has an older sibling(s) around you can invite them watch the DVD with you. Encourage your older child to point out the names of the animals, say the colors, or even make animal sounds. They will probably love playing with baby and will be excited about showing off how much they know!
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