The Miseducation of Baby
The Baby has eaten and is free to play with her electronic book, congo drums, truck or puzzle.
Yet, she decides to pace the living room with a puzzle piece clamped between her lips.
Back and forth she goes, muttering all the way.
It's clear that this evening Baby is suffering from intellectual stimulation.
Which is why I've hatched a plan to launch the Baby Enrichment Series -- weekend jaunts to mind-stimulating venues in South Florida.
But where to start?
We've been to the Palm Beach Zoo, where she was more enamored with the pigeons than the animals behind moats. And she's too young for story time at area libraries.
Where have you taken your infant, just shy of 12 months, for some good old educational fun?
Comments
Joy,
Don't underestimate one of South Florida's greatest treasures: the beach!
My son, now 3 years old, has grown up enjoying the sand and the water. Our favorite location is Hollywood Beach because you can set up your belongings on the sand and walk just a few steps to get some good food that you can take back to your beach blanket.
There's lots to explore: sand, pebbles, seagulls, seaweed, shells, etc.
Posted by: anne | February 8, 2008 11:17 AM
One great thing about south florida is just how many different things are available. I agree with Anne that the beach is wonderful, you can waste an entire day relaxing as your baby has tons of fun playing in the sand.
I have to completely disagree with what you said about storytime at the library. I think you would be very surprised if you went. I started taking my son before he could even sit up by himself. Librarys have special programs for infants and toddlers. Not much story book reading, more signing and rhyming. Things that help babies and toddlers learn. They really are wonderful programs and equal to most that you would pay for.
Other cheap or free things are the county parks. They all seem to have something a little different to enjoy. Quiet Water Park has a wonderful splash swim adventurer area that is perfect for babies and toddlers. No area of the water is more then a few inches, but it's so much fun. Tradewinds Park has pony rides and most third Saturdays of the month they have trains that babies and kids can ride on around the lake. They also have butterfly world that is such a great place for young children. However, it can be expensive. $20 a person, but you can get a year pass for $50. I have gone about a million times with my son and he loves it evey time.
Most cities also have some kind of children's museums that are fun. Boyton Beach has a really great old school house museum with many fun things for babies to do. Ft. Lauderdale has the science children's museum and Young At Art.
The list goes on and on. Hope this helps!
Posted by: Laura | February 9, 2008 9:38 AM
Re: I agree with Anne that the beach is wonderful, you can waste an entire day relaxing as your baby has tons of fun playing in the sand.
Thank you Laura for the great suggestions. The train ride and Quiet Water Park sound like fun.
I'll let you know how well the excursions go over with Baby.
Posted by: Joy | February 11, 2008 8:28 AM