Books
SPOT CAN COUNT
Author: Eric Hill
Publisher/Manufacturer: Putnam
Overzealous parents sometimes start flash cards in infancy, but far better to rely on books like this. That's because flash cards can be boring and set up a relationship where you're "drilling" your child on concepts he'll grasp more easily as a toddler. On the other hand, seek-and-find books that incidentally involve counting, colors, and so forth are fun, encourage bonding, and promote memory and motor skills---and a love of books. In fact, with its lift-the-flap pictures and simple words and illustrations, Spot Can Count is great for 10-month-olds and up even if you never progress to the counting part.
Spot the dog, ever-popular with the "around one" set, is counting ducks and pigs and sheep on the farm with his dad. Each page has a question, like "How many hens are in the yard?" that will help you start a dialogue with your child, and count the objects if you're up to it. Or, just look at the pictures and tug at the flaps, which are firmly attached, simple to lift, and absolutely irresistible.
