Infant Education: 5 Things You Can Teach Your Baby Now

Most people think that babies are all about feeding, sleeping, pooping and making funny sounds. The truth is: babies can actually learn a lot of things early on. Knowing the best things you can teach your baby can help you maximize your baby's early learning experience.

Parents.com shared some of the things you can teach your baby. "Babies are like little learning machines, picking up everything around them," family and child development specialist, Gail Gross, Ph.D., Ed.D., told Parents.com.

1. Teach your baby to have a close attachment to you.

Bonding with your infant child is one of the best things you can teach your baby. Regular breastfeeding is the most effective way to build a close attachment with your baby. Dr. Gross also noted that a baby who forms a strong bond with his or her mother will be able to learn faster and more efficiently.

2. Teach your baby to recognize basic words.

The best way to talk to a baby is by stretching out real words, saying them clearly in a high-pitched and melodic tone. Doing these things can help your baby recognize words better. "In fact, a study by the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences at the University of Washington, in Seattle, found that young children whose family often used this speech style with them knew twice as many words by age 2 as those whose parents didn't," Parents.com shared.

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3. Teach your baby about proper hygiene.

Regularly changing diapers, giving baths and gentle brushing of gums do more than keep your baby clean. These habits can also provide your baby a sense of orderliness, security and appreciation for routine which helps strengthen her emotional well-being.

4. Teach your baby about affection.

The best way to teach your baby about the importance of affection and warmth is through hugging, kissing and touching. "It may come as no surprise to parents, but cuddling your baby provides them with social benefits for years afterwards, according to scientists," Daily Mail shares. "Children who have been deprived of physical contact as babies have lower levels of social-bonding hormones, the researchers found."

5. Teach your baby how to stay calm.

One of the most important things you can teach your baby is how to stay calm during stressful situations. Babies can assess their parents' facial expressions and voice. Babies might imitate the angry and fearful emotions you displayed through your facial expressions or voice.