One of the challenges of raising a child is to make sure that they are put in an environment that stimulates and encourages them to learn. This becomes especially important as she is becoming more alert and responsive. The concern is that if they are not read to, talked to, touched or played with they won't develop as quickly or completely as other children, putting them at a disadvantage as they get older. Now, I don't want to sound like one of those crazy parents that is going to pressure Emma to be a Rhodes Scholar - I just want to make sure that we are providing her with what she needs.
If Melissa has anything to do with it, Emma is going to be a motor mouth as soon as she starts talking. Melissa is constantly talking to Emma and telling her all about what's going on, from cooking lessons (tonight it was chocolate chip cookie bars!), to bath time, to explaining why the Twins have had such a terrible year, and even the rules of golf! I like to eaves drop on their conversations, which makes me chuckle sometimes. Just the other day on the car ride home from Reinbeck, Melissa was explaining golf to Emma. This lesson went on for several miles while I was driving and she was in the back seat entertaining the kid with lessons about the different clubs and what they do, how the course is laid out, what birdies and bogeys are, etc. At one point I caught this little snippet, "...and by this point you should be on the green. What's the green you ask?" Ha :) After 11 weeks at home with Emma, Melissa has mastered the art of a one way conversation. She's pretty clever :)
We also like to read to Emma. We have all kinds of books. Some of our favorites include: Yummy Yucky, Barnyard Dance, Put Me in the Zoo, and so many more. If Emma is in the right mood she will sit and follow along by looking at colors and pictures on the pages and sometimes "helps" turn the page. It's not only books that we read to Emma. This morning I came into the livingroom to find Melissa reading a newspaper article on Chad Greenway - who is 1 of Melissa's 2 favorite athletes, the other...Peyton Manning. If I had to guess, I would say Chad is also on the top of Emma's list.
We also sing a lot to Emma - I think she finds it soothing. If she's lucky we'll even sing her an actual song. Most of the time I work on my freestyle lyrics and just make stuff up. I'm not sure she knows the difference. One of my favorite "actual" songs to sing her is also her anatomy lesson. Through song she now knows all about her head, shoulders, knees, and toes (knees and toes :) )
I have no doubt that Emma is going to be just as bright and successful, if not more so, than her mommy and daddy. I often wonder what she will grow up to be and do and look forward to her journey through life. It will also be fun to see what forks there are in her road and what will help to shape her life. There is one thing for certain, Melissa and I will be there with all the love and support that she needs.
Hugs and kisses from Jason, Melissa, and Emma
p.s. A teaser for the next post: the truth will be known - who does Emma look like? The proof is in the baby photos :)
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