Your Brilliant Baby in Week 52: The Importance of Pointing

Learning is more efficient now that your child's brain allows her to process information she receives from her surroundings and from you, simultaneously. She doesn't have to learn all about dogs and clocks and tractors on her own: She now relies on your input to help her figure out her world.

Sure, you may want to roll your eyes as the pointing games begin yet again, but remember, your child can read your body language. It's your job right now to tirelessly and enthusiastically label your little one's world.

Later she'll acquire more skills to further pull you into this learning picture. She'll want you to demonstrate or explain how things work, and around age two and a half, the "why" questions begin. Can you even imagine how brilliant your "baby" will be by then?

Your Week 52 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.