Joy Parenting Club

While seeing a newborn as heavily dependent is easy, it's essential to recognize that even young babies are brimming with capabilities. These early abilities are adorable quirks and vital building blocks for their future development. Here, we shed light on some incredible things your baby can do.

Make choicesYour baby may not articulate their preferences, but they are already honing their decision-making skills. When presented with two toys, they might gaze intently at one or reach out to grasp it, showing you their choice. This early ability to make decisions lays the groundwork for independent play by normalizing that they are capable of leading their engagement. You can offer options between two outfits, too!

Build focusDon't be fooled by their occasional wanderings of gaze. Babies are actually experts at building focus, albeit in short bursts. Whether it's fixating on a colorful mobile or studying your face during feeding, they're developing their ability to concentrate. This skill will become increasingly important as they grow.

Heightened learningBabies are born with an “absorbent mind,” which is different from your adult “conscious mind.” It can be thought of as a sponge absorbing everything around them. Babies make about a million neural connections per second, meaning they’re in a rich period of life when learning is as heightened and effortless as it will ever be. This is why the first years of life are regarded as the most important to one’s development and later life success. Amazing, right?

1. Make choicesYour baby may not articulate their preferences, but they are already honing their decision-making skills. When presented with two toys, they might gaze intently at one or reach out to grasp it, showing you their choice. This early ability to make decisions lays the groundwork for independent play by normalizing that they are capable of leading their engagement. You can offer options between two outfits, too!
2. Build focusDon't be fooled by their occasional wanderings of gaze. Babies are actually experts at building focus, albeit in short bursts. Whether it's fixating on a colorful mobile or studying your face during feeding, they're developing their ability to concentrate. This skill will become increasingly important as they grow.
3. Heightened learningBabies are born with an “absorbent mind,” which is different from your adult “conscious mind.” It can be thought of as a sponge absorbing everything around them. Babies make about a million neural connections per second, meaning they’re in a rich period of life when learning is as heightened and effortless as it will ever be. This is why the first years of life are regarded as the most important to one’s development and later life success. Amazing, right?

So, as you gaze into those curious eyes and hold those tiny hands, remember that your baby is brimming with potential. The work you do to support them, love them, and nurture their development is life-changing.