<p>While this isn't as profound as much of the very good advice above, it is very practical and based on a conversation I had with my daughter at her college freshman orientation last week:</p>
<p>If your baby has a comfort item, such as a blanket or stuffed animal, buy another one exactly like it right now. My daughter still sleeps with her two "Bees," ordinary white thermal blankets she's had since birth. We've had some close calls with almost losing one or the other in the past 18 years. One spent a week in the Hong Kong Hilton Hotel laundry system and then, amazingly, was delivered to our front door. Our discussion the other day was about whether she should take one or both of them to college. If she lost one she'd be sad, but if she lost both, she'd be heartbroken.</p>
<p>read to your kids, talk to your kids, learn with your kids.</p>
<p>from experience, they'll think it's lame and whine for tv and videogames (and you can give into that a little as they get older, it's not all bad) but once they start thinking about college and realize all you've done to foster a love of learning, they'll be grateful.</p>
<p>I never said 'no' to TV or video games. In fact, I recall many pleasant hours taking turns with Mario. TV watching & reading cannot be forced on a child; they often follow the example set. Often we'd share scifi or HP books.</p>
<p>Only thing not mentioned is taking a walk, bike riding,swimming, tennis, music, etc with child.</p>
<p>As so many have said in many different ways, enjoy the wonder of having your child; enjoy his/her wonder at the ever expanding world around them. Foster the joy of discovery and their excitement. Every child is different. My 2 sons use to try and get me to say that a certain friend was smarter or less smart, better at a game or not as good. My answer was always "Every one is different , everyone is special". Amazingly, they repeat that now, with some tongue in cheek laughter. But they have learned to appreciate different people for their own gifts.
Recognize whatever is special in your child and love them for it, even if it is not the trait you were hoping for. Allow them to take the time to smell the flowers, and watch a butterfly, splash in a puddle. Enjoy their enjoyment.</p>
<p>You have received some great advice. I would only add that ensuring a love of learning is not always possible in an academic sense. My ds is 12 his sisters are 16. They loved reading/singing with me dancing all that and both are fantastic students. DS would arch his back and climb out of my lap as a little guy, had no interest in patting the bunny or talking about Carl's exploits with the Baby, and covered my moth w/ his little hand and said "Kiet Mommy" when I sang to him. All three love to learn. He doesn't neccessarily love to learn what the state curriculum dictates. The Wild West, Pirates, Football and Basketball are topics that he will happily pursue. Not so much the Mesopotamians and Assyrians. We impressed upon him the importance of working hard even when you don't "love" learning a specific topic and his grades improved dramatically, but left to his own devices I don't think that would have happened. What I am trying to say is that what we love to learn about is unique to the individual. Love your baby for her/himself and if she/he is not setting the world on fire academicly in Middle School, don't dispair. Academic excellence and a love of learning are not automatically related although parental involvement can encourage both. The Love of learning and the acceptance of your child for the person he/she is are far more important.</p>
<p>With all of the attention placed on success and the right pre-school, elementary, junior and sr high schools it's no wonder you are concerned but guess what? There is very little evidence to suggest that any of that matters in the overall quality of a person's life. However the perceived presence or absence of unconditional love in a child's life has a huge effect on future success. If you can remember just that and take the child you have been give for the person he/she is you will insure something more important than academic success.</p>
<p>Speaking of history, I could tell my son loved this subject from a VERY young age; also mythology and religion--along with heavy equipment and dinosaurs, He said it was "All about power". I have to agree; unconditional love--doesn't mean you don't set limits--is what "everyone, everyone, everyone needs."</p>
<p>Dont stress out is the first thing, enjoy being a parent. </p>
<p>Expose you child to sports, fine arts that you like then as s/he gets older let them choose a few activites and interest they wish to pursue, of course this will change as your child matures.</p>
<p>Read a lot to your child</p>
<p>Travel during school breaks</p>
<p>Pick a school from pre-k onward that suites your child's disposition</p>
<p>Begin a college savings plan today in your name with your child as the beneficiary. Even if you being with $100 a month you will be thankful you did.</p>