First FUNdamentals is a book that promises interactive fun for parents and their children aged 0 to 2 years. The activities included are meant to improve a child's ability to learn. Although designed as an introduction to a complete learning program called FUNdamentals for kids aged 18 months to 6 years, this book does just fine as a stand-alone.
A wonderful message can be found throughout First FUNdamentals: that learning should be fun. A child's happiness is the ultimate goal of the program. All activities are built around the basic foundations of love, security, and fun.
Although there is a discussion of the theory behind the play presented in the book, most of its focus is on the actual activities that are presented on cards and within the opening text. There are 64 detachable activity cards altogether, and each is labeled with an age group (for example, "from birth", "ages 0-6 months", "age 9-15 months", etc.).
The numerous plugs for the next step of the program aside, this is a good book with some excellent suggested activities. You will find activities that are designed to:
- develop the senses
- build a rich vocabulary
- promote emotional development and balance
- develop music and listening skills
- encourage creativity
The book discusses the 8 full intelligences, building brain capacity, multi-sensory learning, left brain/right brain issues, physical skills and health, and more.
Also discussed is the issue of teaching babies to recognize basic words — this is encouraged and a few flashcards are included that differ from typical ones in that they are larger and have special typeface, style, and size that make it easier for babies and toddlers to read.
The First FUNdamentals program seems to be a whole approach to brain development in babies and toddlers — everything you can think of, from social skills to physical development, is taken into account. Many topics are touched upon, including developing pre-writing and pre-math skills, and the importance of proper nutrition.
There are 200+ activities to be found in this book. Additionally, there is a mail-in offer for free visual stimulation cards.
