The first
six months of baby's life are amazing time, as he transforms from a
floppy-headed newborn into a tiny person who can sit and play when propped
up. While your baby will develop at his own pace, there are ways you can
encourage that growth—and compelling reasons to do so.
"Stimulating
your child's brain during this time and providing situations where they can
explore helps them to learn things that get them in touch with their environment,"
says child and adolescent psychologist Robert Myers, Ph.D., founder of the
Child Development Institute and assistant clinical professor of Psychiatry and
Human Behavior at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine.
"Doing
developmental activities with them also bonds parents to their child and makes
them a better observer, so when they go to the pediatrician, they can give the
doctor good information about where the child is developmentally."
Encourage your infant's development with these fun and
easy activities.
1.
LISTENING
What
to do: Sing and talk to your child using exaggerated tones of
voice. Watch your baby's facial expressions and see how he reacts to different
pitches.
Skills
learned: Language development
2.
TRACKING
Materials
needed: A small, soft, colorful toy, like a sponge ball or stuffed
animal.
What
to do: While your baby is lying on her back, hold the toy in
front of her face and, if needed, wiggle it slowly or gently touch her with it
to get her attention. Then move the toy from side to side, and encourage her to
follow along with her eyes.
Skills
learned: Visual tracking, visual development
3.
DANCING
Materials
needed: Music
What
to do: Put on one of your favorite songs and, while holding your
baby securely to your chest, gently move around together in time to the music.
Skills
learned: Listening. "This also encourages an interest in music
and strengthens bonding with the parent, which is important for emotional
development," Dr. Myers points out.
4.
SINGING
What
to do: Next time your little one is having a meltdown or
resisting a nap, sing him a lullaby in a soothing voice. Don't remember any of
the classics? No problem—you can find song lyrics online or just make up your
own.
Skills
learned: Listening, emotional regulation
5.
REFLECTIONS
Materials
needed: Baby-safe mirror
What
to do: Show your baby her reflection in the mirror, then ask,
"Who is that?"
Repeat with your own reflection and a sibling's or a stuffed animal's.
Skills
learned: Visual, social, and emotional development
6.
BABY SIT-UPS
What
to do: If your baby has good head control, lay him on his back, place
your hands under his arms, and gently guide him into a sitting position. As he
gains muscle tone and strength, do these sit-ups by holding his hands and
slowly bringing him to sit.
"Just
like adults' muscles strengthen when used over and over, the same is true with
babies," explains Roni Cohen Leiderman, Ph.D., dean of the Mailman Segal
Center for Human Development at Nova Southeastern University, and co-author of Let's Play and Learn Together.
"In fact, as your baby develops strength and balance, he may begin pulling
himself up faster than you are guiding him."
Skills
learned: Motor skills, head control
7. MASSAGE
What
to do: When your baby is in a quiet and alert state, undress her down
to her diaper and lay her faceup on a soft towel or blanket in a warm, quiet
room. Working in sections as her tolerance allows, gently but firmly stroke her
legs, arms, and belly. "We want to make sure babies are touched often and
gently," Dr. Leiderman says. "That touch is how babies thrive."
Skills
learned: Body awareness, bonding
8.
FOLLOW THE LEADER
What
to do: See how many actions your child can imitate in a row by
tapping the table, opening and closing your hands, clapping, and waving. Tip:
Start with something your baby is already doing, like banging a fist on the
table.
Variations: Increase
the challenge by adding new and more complex movements, but pay attention to
your baby's reactions. Scale back if she seems frustrated—the activity should
be fun.
Skills
learned: Imitation, back-and-forth conversation, memory
9.
FLYING
What to
do: Lay your baby belly-down across your lap, and place your
hands around his midsection so he's fully supported. Then gently lift him up
and move him up, down, back, and forth, like a rocket jetting into space. For
extra giggles, add sound effects. "Babies like the element of surprise and
learn through it," says Dr. Leiderman. "They are also seeing the
world from a different perspective, and there's a gleeful aspect to that."
Skills
learned: Body movement and stimulation
10.
KICKING
Materials
needed: Tissue paper
What
to do: Tuck one or two sheets of new or used tissue paper under
the cushion of a sofa or upholstered chair so that it hangs down to the floor
like a curtain. Remove baby's socks, and place her on her back, with her feet
against the tissue and her knees slightly bent.
11.
GRABBING BASKET
Materials
needed: Empty paper towel or toilet paper tubes cut into 1- to
2-inch rings, a low basket or a shallow pan
What
to do: Fill the basket or pan with the paper tube rings, and
place it in front of your baby while she's in tummy time, propped on a pillow,
or sitting on your lap with hands free to play. Encourage her to push and bump
her hands up against the rings or use use the wall of the container to help her
grasp them.
Variations: Swap
out the cut tubes with ribbon strips or bath puffs to provide a different tactile
sensation. (Always keep eyes on your baby and keep her within arm's reach when
using ribbons.) Golf balls are another fun filler, as they make a great noise
when placed in a metal pan.
Skills
learned: Grasp and release, tactile stimulation, hand-eye coordination
By
By Ellen Sturm Niz
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