Your Brilliant Baby in Week 49: Improving Memory

Conduct your own memory and imitation experiments using your mobile phone. Leave it out somewhere your child will see it, then notice the first time she picks it up and acts as if she's using it. At this age, she's not pretending to talk to anyone—she's remembering and copying your actions from previous conversations. (Pretending is a skill that comes around age two and a half.)

Because regularly using cell phones has become the norm today, we're raising a skilled generation who will mimic our own patterns of using them. Think about this: While you may or may not want your child highly interested in cell phones, you probably do hope your child becomes highly interested in books; if you are, demonstrate your use of them as consistently and with as much interest as you do your cell phone.

Keep in mind that children are extraordinarily aware and have good memories. Regularly ask yourself, "How would I feel if I saw my kid mimicking me do this?" Use these facts to your parenting advantage by demonstrating activities that you hope your children will copy—and that will serve them well.

Your Week 49 Toolbox

Related skills and topics this week include …

• What's happening in Baby's 12th month?
• Use our Development Tracker to check off your child's 8-12 month milestones.
• Here's what our pediatrician says you might be worried about this month.