Early Learning in 5 minutes or Less

When new parents get connected with early learning veterans, overwhelmed is a central feeling and the greatest obstacle. When I first stumbled upon babies reading in several languages and toddlers delighting in math activities, I was in awe and curious to know more. When I found wonderful parents that were excited to share their journey and encourage me in my own, I couldn’t help feeling insufficient for the task.

Break it Down

Of course, Rome wasn’t built in a day and a comprehensive early learning strategy isn’t developed overnight let alone implemented. It’s important to break it down into small easy steps, so I am starting this series to help you dive into early learning one step at a time.

Simple Toys, Rich Learning

First up in this series is starting at the very basics, Shape Sorter Activities. Shape sorters are simple yet a key early learning activity. It’s one of those toys almost everyone has and yet it is the most under utilized toys. It is in this simple activity that a parent can introduce a variety of simple and basic language to baby in a playful way.

I have created baby task cards to go with just about any shape sorter out there. It isn’t all inclusive, but the idea is to give you simple tasks that will get you started talking with baby that is intentional and joyful. The cards also come in both Spanish and English because it is never too soon to start talking to baby in another language.

Language Basics

• Colors
• Counting
• Shapes
• Prepositions
• Dual Language development

In 5 minutes or less, you can sit down with baby and enrich his environment with key early learning elements in two languages. You will want to laminate these cards because baby likes to explore things orally and take a little taste. Also make these cards easily accessible like putting them on a key chain and attaching it to the toy.

Key to Success is Consistency

These task cards are designed for you, the parent. It serves as a reminder to take a moment in what can be a very busy day to interact with your little one in a way that is joyful and edifying.   It is a reminder that early learning moments can be just that a moment of your time.  This will encourage you to be consistent which is by far the most important element of successful early learning.

Recruit a Team

Also, we want everyone in the family to be in on the early learning plan, and having these cards available makes it easy for the babysitter, older siblings, dad, grandma or grandpa to take the opportunity to have an enriching baby learning moment, too.

Join this Early Learning with Baby 5 minutes or less series by signing up below and you will get these Shape Sorter Baby Task Cards FREE.