Baby Smarts - Games for Playing and Learning

Baby Smarts – Games for playing and learning
Written by Jackie Silberg
Published at Gryphon House

About the book
Did you know?
* A baby’s brain is 250% more active than that of an adult.
* The networking of the brain's synapses is nearly complete after the first 3 years of life.
* Giving your baby stimulating experiences encourages brain development that will prepare your baby for successful learning in the future.

Filled with developmental games based on the latest brain research, Baby Smarts helps you build your baby’s brain power, one activity at a time!

Baby Smarts is divided into four chapters, each representing a three-month period. Each chapter begins with a chart that helps teachers and parents anticipate the typical developmental milestones for that age. The corresponding games and activities develop and reinforce the skills babies need to reach those milestones. Each activity in Baby Smarts uses common materials—there’s no need for expensive toys or props. Every activity in Baby Smarts builds the foundation for future learning!

Who is Jackie Silberg?
Jackie Silberg, who has an M.S. in child development, is an early childhood advocate and popular keynote speaker. She received the Distinguished Alumna Award from Emporia State University, recognizing her current achievements as well as her long and prolific career. Jackie founded and directed the Jewish Community Center School of Music in Kansas City, Missouri, and worked for Channel 41 television, planning the music and performing her original music for a children's program called "41 Treehouse Lane." She wrote and produced a television show for Time Warner called "Just Kids," which addressed children's needs and interests. Jackie has worked as a consultant with the Discovery Channel, setting up their music streaming website. She has given workshops, keynote addresses, seminars, and family concerts throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, and in Singapore. Jackie has served as an adjunct instructor at both Emporia State University and the University of Missouri at Kansas City and lectures at Johnson County Community College. Jackie is the owner of Miss Jackie Music Company. Jackie Silberg lives in Leawood, Kansas.

My thoughts
This book is a little gem for any new parents. It covers every developmental stages from birth until 12 months. The book is divided in four sections specifically Birth to 3 months old,, 3-6 months old, 6-9 months old and 9-12 months old.

Each section will give you the developmental chart for the specific age and offers you a variety of games and experiences to develop three specific skills; physical, social-emotional and intellectual/thinking. Baby will also use all his/her senses while doing the games with you. There is a lot of activities to discover and have fun with your little one in this book.

When I receive this book, I had for mission to evaluate it for PTPA and report what I thought about it. Unfortunately, my daughter was already above and beyond the age range included in this book. But I did take the time to look into it and go through all the sections to see what this book could bring for parents. I was extremely pleased with the activities and part of me wished I would have another baby just to have fun with him/her. Instead, I am planning to give this book away to someone who will be expecting and recently I’ve learned that my neighbors are expecting their first child in the Spring of 2010. How exciting for them to grow their family! This will be a perfect gift to congratulate them don’t you think?

Baby Smarts is available everywhere even at amazon.ca and indigo.ca.