Look Who’s Talking?

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

 

I’m finding it increasingly difficult to keep pace. Ayanna surprises us with a new word almost everyday. Just the other day, out of the blue, she pointed to her eye and said ‘eye’. Ayanna has added ‘wower’ (flower), mouth, car, cat, apple, cold and red to her growing list of words. She’s constantly absorbing and soaking up all that she hears around her.

 

Those adorable ba-ba-ba mutterings, the beginnings of spoken language, have led us here. Ayanna seems to express herself in phrases and sentences (though it’s baby talk still). She seems to understand what is being said and responds to it through action.

 

I’ve always wondered if my constant talking with Ayanna would bear fruit. It sure has. Making a conscious effort at early communication has certainly helped. Experts say parents teach language when they talk to each other as well as when they talk to baby.

Baby picks up almost as much from secondhand dialogue as they do when they’re part of a conversation.

 

It will be another year or two before most of Ayanna’s sentences and phrases become easily comprehensible but I reckon the journey to be quite exciting and full of surprises.

 

Mummy needs to always remember to:

 

Label, label, label – verbally label everything in baby’s environment, from objects to animals and people.

 

Listen, listen, listen – listen to the babble and respond positively and encouragingly.

 

Concentrate on concepts- introduce concepts such as hot and cold, in and out, up and down, big and small.

 

Become colour conscious – identify the different colours around baby.

 

Self-feeding

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

 

Oh what a mess...

 

Ayanna’s independent streak is growing strong. And she’s fervently expressing her desire to be independent at the table.

 

In it goes...

 

These days we’ve begun breaking up meal times to support and encourage her independence. This means we spend some time feeding her and then, Ayanna happily feeds herself some finger food or light snacks. This is to ensure she gets enough to eat. She loves dipping her fingers into her bowl and makes a mess while trying to feed herself. But it’s all worth it. We spread some newspaper on the floor beneath the high-chair to make cleanup easier for mummy.

 

 

Crossing over...

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Ayanna has officially made the crossover from baby to toddler. There are some apparent changes; others more subtle.

 

She’s struggling to master the most challenging large motor skill of all – walking. She’s still cruising (walk holding on to furniture) but she’s also standing momentarily, experimenting with balance.

 

Ayanna has added more words (those that we can comprehend) to her rather limited vocabulary list. Ayanna knows a dog when she sees one and says it. She also seems to have mastered the word ‘no’ and uses it too quite good effect. Ayanna’s also using gestures – pointing and waving. She’s busy talking- using immature jargoning (gibberish that almost sounds like a foreign language).

 

Busy conversing with Bebe, the dog.

 

I’m slowly but surely glimpsing behavioral patterns typical in toddlerhood – she’s growing more independent, asserting her wishes. She makes known if she’s upset or no longer wants to eat.

 

Using gestures to convey - "I've had enough mum!"

 

It’s important to support and applaud your baby’s steps towards independence. I reckon the years ahead are going to be filled with toddler-centric behaviors and more will enchant and exasperate, delight and dumbfound, fascinate and frustrate, test our resourcefulness and patience as a parent.

Kids don't come with instructions. That's why there's Gymboree.

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Everyone’s a little curious about Gymboree and what gets done there.

Ayanna started Gymboree at four months and has been there since. Ayanna loves it at Gymboree. She’s made plenty of friends and loves the many set-ups where she gets to test her developing skills on. I believe Ayanna has reached some of her milestones earlier because of the fun exercises at Gymboree.

The Gymboree Learning Programme targets the earliest and most critical stages of a child’s life – before the age of 5. Their carefully crafted program levels focus on the specific developmental milestones a child is working on at his/ her age. Each class incorporates fundamental activities that help build a child’s cognitive, social, and physical skills.

Level 1 (Birth to 6 months)

The Thoughtful Observer – becoming calm, attentive and interested in the world. There's exploration and stimulating age-appropriate activities like tummy time, flashlight play and infant massage to support visual and auditory skill development.

Welcome to my crib - experimenting with different textures

Level 2 (6-10 months)

The Doer - acting with purpose and intent. Babies explore cause and effect and build strength with ramps, slides and climbers. Parent discussion time help mummies and daddies to learn about their child's development and to exchange information with other parents. Experts say engaging babies in playdates before a child turns 1 is really unnecessary as babies don't actually interact with each other. Babies tend to play together side by side, known as parallel play. Interaction happens because a parent gets involved.

It's my space- spatial awareness

Level 3 (10-16 months)

The Communicator - becoming an effective two-way communicator. Ayanna's currently at this stage. Exercises at this level encourage balance and coordination on playscapes. Children also display ways of interacting with their peers. 

Row row row your boat - peer interaction

More Birthday Moments...

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Ayanna getting to know one of her guests.

Ayanna gets a little help from mummy and friends with blowing out the candle.

One for the album

Thank you dear friends for making Ayanna’s birthday party a special one! Thanks for all the lovely gifts.

 

Birthday party

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Ayanna had a blast over the weekend at both her birthday parties but it was the one held at Gymboree that she enjoyed most.

 

Through the tunnel...

 

The activities – games, singsong sessions and exploration of romps, slides and climbers kept Ayanna and her friends busy.

 

Parents and kids having fun together

The kids had plenty of fun and so did the parents who had to participate along with their kids, leading to active parent-child interaction.

 

Ayanna's doing her thang' - dancing and popping bubbles

Thanks to everyone at Gymboree (at Bangsar Village 1) for organizing a wonderful, memorable and exciting first birthday party!

 

My baby girl is growing up...

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

It’s official – Ayanna is one!

 

There are a host of activities geared up for the little one this weekend. It may get a little overwhelming for her – the people, the commotion.

 

We’ve got a couple of things right – hosting the parties at familiar places will put the little one at ease. Being at grandma’s spacious abode means plenty of space to crawl and make merry. And since Ayanna is used to having other kids amongst her at Gymboree, she may actually handle the situation better than expected. Though children at her age don’t actually engage with others but participate in parallel play.

 

It is important at all times, for mummy and daddy to remember to focus on the birthday girl. This would help her adjust to strangers and make her feel comfortable.

 

Mummy is certainly looking forward to Ayanna’s first birthday party!

 

Happy Birthday precious!

Dental Hygiene

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

 

Can you spot those pearly whites?

 

Now that Ayanna’s pearly whites have made an appearance, it’s time to get started on basic dental care. Though her tiny pearls are all bound for extinction, it is good to begin educating her on good dental habits.

 

Every morning, Ayanna’s soft teeth are gently brushed using an infant toothbrush moistened with water. This is combined with some light wiping of the teeth with a moistened cloth. Wiping does a more thorough job while brushing gets baby into the important habit of good dental hygiene. A combination of both works well. We wipe after meals and at bedtime too. Ayanna’s tongue gets a wipe too.

 

No toothpaste is necessary for baby’s teeth, though we can flavour the brush with a tiny bit of toothpaste (one that’s formulated for infants and doesn't contain fluoride).

 

Next, the search is on for a pediatric dentist.

 

Recommendations anyone?

 

Nine days more ...

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Now that there’s just 9 days before Ayanna’s birthday, I’m getting a little apprehensive. We are planning on having two parties – one for family and friends and the other, for Ayanna’s buddies. There are a few things to get – party packs for the little ones and some party décor for the house. Oh yes and cake! Ayanna’s birthday do with her pals will be at Gymboree, which has a great set up for kids. There’ll be age appropriate games and activities.

 

Just Chillin'

 

Oblivious to the upcoming frenzy, Ayanna is simply enjoying her days. She’s talking a lot more – we’re beginning to recognize some words. There’s bye, bubble and baby for starters.

 

Hmmm…. What’s baby going to wear? Need to find a birthday dress.

 

Oh dear… running out of time.

I spy with my little eye…

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

.. two pearly whites, breaking through Ayanna’s gums. That explains her irritability, refusal to eat and excessive nibbling and drooling.

 

It’s time to bring out the infant toothbrush. Good teeth care is highly essential. The hunt is now on for a dentist for the little one.