1.TAKE PRENATAL CHECK UPS AND FOLLOW DOCTORS ADVICE. Ask your OB-Gynecologist about the vitamins you should take for better fetal development. My doctor gave me Anmum, Iron and Omega-3 supplements. The neural tube is the first part to be developed from the nervous system and we don't want it to be dysfucntional right?

2.TALK, READ AND SING TO YOUR BABY INSIDE THE WOMB. At about 18 weeks or 5 months, the baby inside the womb can already hear from outside. It was studied before that when a pregnant mother is being checked for fetal heart rate and a sound the baby hasn't heard before was played, the heart rate of the baby becomes much faster. Then after some time the baby gets used to the sound, he/she will have normal heart rate whenever the sound is played again. This is one of the earliest interactions parents and other people can provide the babies. Every interaction helps the form "brain connectors" thus giving the brain more paths for future information. Classical music works wonders in some studies too!

3. WHEN BABY IS BORN, SET ENOUGH TIME FOR SLEEP. Babies process the information they gather over sleep. While they are younger they sleep most of the time, so we take it for granted that a routine should be established for sleep and other processes day and night. I suggest that parents create a schedule for everything including meals, sleep, play, etc. This prepares the baby for certain procedures like being sleepy near sleep time. Having a well established sleep routine helps babies complete the rquired hours of sleep for their age and thus they are able to process information better.

4. BREASTFEED. Or if for any reason breastfeeding can't be continued, please be very mindful of the formula you're going to replace it with. Read the labels. Chek for important ingredients such as vitamin A, DHA, ARA as these are the ingredients originally found on breastmilk that support eyesight and brain development. Remember the ad for 7 more IQ points?

5. TALK, READ AND SING WITH YOUR BABY OUTSIDE THE WOMB. Hehehe! Well of course, when he/she's already born! Always talk like you would with an adult and leave baby talk to the babies! Read to them so they would appreciate reading and enjoy it on their own in the future. Melodies from your singing are pleasant to babies ears, thus making them appreciate being with you more. The trust that you build while you bond with them makes them more receptive of learning from you.

6. REPEAT, REPEAT AND REPEAT. Memory is one key aspect of babies' development. And what better way to keep certain things in their memory is there than to keep repeating these things?! When I point certain things to my daughter and tell her what it is, I usually say the word three times in a row. Then I'll keep on repeating the word for every one of that kind we see until it gets stuck in her memory.

7. MAKE PLAY AGE APPROPRIATE. Us parents have to research on this. I cannot provide detailed information regarding this or else this entry will be too long. However, you can visit www.parents.com which is practically where I got mine. The thing is, there are certain aspects of development that needs focus as the baby progresses. Along with it comes age appropriate play and toys. If a toy or play is introduced too early or too late, it will no longer serve it's purpose in the child's learning process. Either he/she will find it too complicated and hate it, or he/she will find it too easy and ignore it.

8. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. Whenever you feel that your baby has already acquired something that you'd like him/her to learn, always ask him/her to display it. I would always ask Ella all the things she knew when I get back from work everyday. I know it's already taking a lengthy amount of my time because every learning acquired goes on top of the previous one. But knowing how much your baby has learned over a span of time makes it all worth it!

9. ENCOURAGE PEER INTERACTION. In this way, the babies would learn from each other. It also helps them develop cooperation, sharing and friendship.

I have been doing this to Ella and I'm really happy with the results so far. How about you. Would you have anything you'd like to share?