Play Guide - Social and Emotional Development 0 - 6 months
It takes time to get to know your baby and the meaning of his cries, but you soon will, just as he will soon learn the meaning of your touch, voice and smell. In these vital early months your interactions help his social and emotional development as you both learn about each other and form a strong bond.
Here are some general tips for your interaction with your baby in the early months:
*Relax- The best way to make him feel relaxed is to be relaxed. He cannot understand what you say- but he will understand your body language and tone of voice. In the first weeks it is not easy to feel relaxed, especially as you quickly come to understand just how much you have put your heart on the line, and how completely it would break should anything happen to him.
*Accept that your life has been turned up-side down- your time is not your own and that no one really copes very well in their first weeks of parenthood, especially if they are the carer of a new baby. It is stressful, at times it is an enormous strain. You would be a saint if you did not sometimes want to shout “This is not what I wanted when I thought of being a mum!”
*Love and soothe, carry and cuddle but don’t expect success every time- Babies cry for many reasons: hunger, pain, tiredness and loneliness and however hard you try you will not always manage to guess what is wrong and calm him. You’re not the only one!
*Establish a routine- Structure makes a child feel safe. A regular bedtime sets a pattern for childhood, so does a regular meal-time. There is a happy medium between keeping to a strict schedule and feeding more or less continuously on demand. It’s sometimes hard to find a routine in the early weeks- but most children do settle into one.
*Don’t pander to his moods- except his good ones! If you tip toe around his bad moods you are likely to increase them.
Games
In the early months, as he learns about the world around and indeed, about his own senses and body there are some simple ways your play interaction with him can help;
0-3 months
*Show me how* We tend to think of toys as things children use for independent play - but that is not always so! In the first year your children will love to share their toys with you. Show him what his toys can do. Hand them to him rather than let him always select his own, and talk about the toys as you play.
*Here’s looking at you * Make eye contact. He will copy you and looking at each other will make you both feel more secure.
*Show him things * Take him out to see the world and talk about it all the time.
*Snuggle buggle- Hold him rock him, kiss him and tell him that you love him. He will recognise the sentiment even if he doesn’t understand the words.
3 – 6 months
By now he will have uncurled, he is able to focus and will meet your eye with a smile.
*Play with me * Toys are not just for independent play- children love to share them and play with you. Show him what to do. If the toy has a little surprise- make it happen.
*I love you* Hold him in your arms and tell him you love him.
*Conversation * Talk to him and let him answer, even if his answers are just little sounds or eye contact. Always respond when he communicates.
*Meet the neighbours * Take him out and let him meet other people- especially other children.
*Copy cat* Copy what he does - and he will reward you by doing the same.
*Hup two three* Hold him under the arms and march around the room together- left right, left right, hup two- three (on the three lift him up in the air).
*Dance a baby* Dance him on your lap and enjoy a little song.
Toys and games for eye-hand co-ordination 0-6 months
In the first weeks, his hand-eye co-ordination will make steady progress and quite quickly. As such major changes occur, we have broken this section down further.
In the first weeks
In the first weeks your baby’s eyes and hands do not work together – he will just watch. His favourite toys and things are bright and move. He will enjoy watching the following kinds of objects:
* His reflection in a mirror
* The toys on his gym
* A mobile.
* A torch you shine on the ceiling of a darkened room.
* Flashing lights.
* Shiny objects that catch the light.
* His hands if they come into view.
6 weeks +
He is more ready to swipe with his arm at objects he sees. He’ll enjoy;
* The toys on his gym.
* The rattle you hold for him.
* Toys fixed to his bouncer, pushchair or cot.
2 – 4 months
He will gradually develop the skill to grab.
He will grab objects and toys firmly and shake them. He’ll also put them to his mouth – this is him actually putting his hand to his mouth rather than the toy. Toys are tested with this in mind. Look for toys that have small sections that are easy to grab or hold.
5-6 months
His grasping is more deliberate and he will reach without constantly monitoring his hand. Because he can reach and clasps toys from above as well as from the side he is able to pick things off the floor. He knows when something is out of reach and does not try to grab it. Most babies now transfers toys from one hand to the other. He’ll enjoy playing with;
* Toys he can pick up, take to his mouth or pass from hand to hand.
* Toys he can grab and hold- especially those with textures he can feel and which make noises when he grabs them.
* Toys which he can bat with a more open hand.
* He may like to cuddle a soft toy and stroke an interesting texture.
* Link-a-Doos toys that connect to nursery equipment or toys are great for bat-at fun.
The changes in his strength and mobility in his first year are extraordinary. From a helpless newborn baby, by his first birthday he will be showing all the signs of taking his first step.
From No Control To Head Control:
*1-4 Weeks*
If you use your baby’s arms to pull him up from a lying to sitting position, his head completely falls behind his body.
*8-10 Weeks*
Now, if you pull him up from a lying to a sitting position, his head does not completely fall behind his body.
*16-20 Weeks*
When you hold him he can turn his head in all directions. If he is pulled up from lying to sitting, his head only slightly falls behind his body.
*24-28 Weeks*
He can now lift his head spontaneously when on his back or tummy and tucks his chin to his chest when you pull him upright. He can begin to enjoy action rhymes. Pull him up and let him fall back down as you sing:
Row, row row your boat,
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily ,merrily, merrily.
Life is but a dream.
From Feeling His Feet To Standing:
*1-15 Weeks*
He is quite passive and does not try to bounce when you let him 'feel his feet' by standing on your lap.
*16-24 Weeks*
He begins to push up by raising his buttocks but cannot yet hold himself up without your help. He will enjoy a game of Dance To Your Daddy whilst he stands on your lap. Sing:
Dance to your Daddy, my little Laddie.
Dance to your Daddy, my little Man.
You will have a fishy,
On a little Dishy. You will have a fishy,
When the boats come in.
*36-44 Weeks*
If you hold him up, he will lower his legs to find the floor and push down and he will stand in a more upright position if you support him. Children who really enjoy being upright will love to stand and jump in a bouncer.
* 48-52 Weeks*
He stands erect when holding on to the furniture or your hand and, by the time he turns one, he can probably stand for a mument or two without holding on. He may be among the few that can walk at this age.
Playing games and having fun with your child will really help him to learn and is also a fantastic way for you to build your relationship with him. You’ll love every minute of his company and will collect memories to last a lifetime. Here’s how:
* Watch him when he’s playing on is own. This way you’ll get hints of what he needs, what he enjoys and what will help him learn new skills.
* Always choose toys appropriate to his age and that match his stage of development. Age limits are set by child development experts for both safety and developmental reasons.
* Follow his cues to be creative and resourceful, without dominating, and let him dictate the pace. If he starts to lose interest he’s probably had enough so stop and resume your play when he seems interested again.
* Create time for him to enjoy playing. He learns best through play and he will learn best in an environment that allows him time to explore, investigate and discover things.
* Keep an eye on him. He will like to see you nearby just as much as you need to supervise him. Provide him with a safe, hazard-free play space indoor and
outdoors.
* Regularly check his toys are safe to play with as they will receive a lot of use and abuse! Encourage him to play with toys that suit the space where your child will be playing and anticipate potential dangers, such as trying to carry a large toy upstairs.
* Surround him with a variety of toys to hold his attention and encourage his learning in both active and quiet times, and when he is playing alone or with other children.
* Limit the number of toys he plays with at any one time. If he is playing with one toy the others will distract him and it is easier for him to concentrate and pay attention to one activity at a time. If he gets another toy out, tell him to put another one away.
Whether in the bath or garden, water is great for play. Here are some games to inspire you.
Bath-time
*Bubble bath*
This is a simple science game for children of various ages that teaches them to be observant.
Run a bath and add some bubble bath
Young babies will just enjoy making bubbles by kicking and splashing.
From 12 months he’ll enjoy seeing what happens if he uses soap or adds a little oil to his bubble bath (his bubbles disappear).
From about 2 years let him explore away, or play with a bubble maker.
Do the bubbles burst when they land on other bubbles? Do they burst when they land on the water?
*Little boats*
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This is a simple game for a young child that allows him to discover how to make things move
Have a collection of objects that can double as 'boats'. Lolly sticks, corks or just paper folded will work.
Put the boats in the bath. Show him how to make waves.
What happens if he kicks and splashes?
Play games of boat races.
*Ice science (suitable for 4-5 year olds)*
Make a tray of ice cubes, using a rubber mould with interesting shapes if you can find one - add a little food colouring to the water before pouring it in the mould.
Add small items to the ice cubes - a plastic button, a wooden toggle, a waxy leaf, a metal washer. The idea is that some objects should be heavy enough to pull the ice cube to the bottom of the bath - and others should allow the cube to float.
When the cube melts some of the objects should float (wood, sponge, sequins) while others (thin slices of carrot) should sink.
As he watches the ice cubes will gradually disappear
*Water Fun at the Sink*
Filling and pouring.
This is a simple activity that teaches a child about volume and improves his placing skills and his eye-hand co-ordination.
This is a more demanding pouring game because he needs to aim for the cups.
Show him how to fill a jug by immersing it in the water. Put the cups on the draining board and let him fill them. It doesn’t matter if he is not very accurate at first. Cups are good for this or Tupperware tubs, but you could also try her stacker cup toys, as these are different shapes and colours this will add even more to the game.
Of course you can also try this game in the bath too.
*Washing a doll’s dress*
This is a simple activity that teaches a child to work towards an end – something she will have to do when she starts school.
Partly fill the sink with water (or give her a bowl), add some baby shampoo or bubble bath (better for her skin) and let her wash a dolls dress. Show her how to squeeze the water through the cloth. She can then hang it out to dry.
*Games for the garden hose or tap*
Let him fill his watering can and help with watering the plants
Mud is great fun, let him have fun making mud pies!
Practice carrying and pouring by asking him to fill a bowl on the other side of the garden from the garden tap
Playtime tips and games to encourage communication and language.
As a newborn, your baby can’t make any obvious vowel or consonant sounds, but you can tell he’s trying to communicate with you all the time. Toys and games have a part to play in communication development even at this young age, because they help provide a talking point, to create an ongoing dialogue between you and baby. All the while you’re playing with baby, you’ll have an ongoing chat with him even though his responses aren’t verbal.
This selection of game or activity suggestions can help encourage baby to develop communication skills.
Look and say
All through the day, everything you do, tell him what you’re doing, have a conversation with him. It’s really important to hold eye contact with him.
* While you feed him
* While you wash him
* While you change him
* As you pick him up
* As you put him down.
Always make a pause after you’ve said something to let him have his turn, that way he learns that communication is a two-way street!
I will know what you mean
Talking to him constantly will help him learn the building blocks of language. When baby’s start babbling they explore all the sounds that it’s possible for them to make – you might realise this but many of these very strange sounds actually do feature in foreign languages, even the clicks and raspberry noises. The more you talk to your baby, the more he notices which of these sounds do and don’t feature in his native language and so he begins to drop the strange sounds!
Over the top!
He is slow to respond, finds it difficult to see and cannot locate voices very well. You don’t need to be loud but in other respects you need to be rather “over the top” - more changes of voice tone, more extreme facial expressions, getting in closer. Don’t worry about this - you will find that you do this quite naturally because babies are more likely to listen and respond if you do. He is teaching you!
* Exaggerate the pitch of your voice. Babies like high pitches best- his heart rate increases when he hears a high pitched voice.
* Sing a song in a high pitch and then a low one. He will recognize the difference.
* Try talking with a flat facial expression, then pull out all the stops- eyebrows raised, mouth wide open and watch the difference.
Where did you go?
* When your tiny baby is lying in his bouncer talk to him and when you are sure he has locked onto your gaze walk slowly round him holding his gaze and talking as you go.
* As he becomes more able to “find” you call to him from different parts of the room.
* Start to play peek-a-boo
* Show him toys that you move from side to side (slowly at first). In time he will enjoy playing peek a boo with the toys.
Mouth music
As a parent you sometimes find yourself making very strange noises with your baby! Why? Because babies love them, this is probably because explosive noises blend a mixture of high and low tones that babies find really exciting.
Try these:
* Blow raspberries at her tummy
* Click your tongue as you jiggle her
* Smile and growl, lift you eyebrows and squeak, gurgle coo- if there is a sound she does not like leave it out.
* Blow your lips as you imitate a car (initially just rock her – once she has more control over her head you can drive her through the air)
* Kiss and smooch (of course)
* Whistle and hum and sing.
Follow my leader
You might notice your baby will sometimes copy your facial expressions. Why not have a ’conversation’ like this?
* Poke out your tongue and wait for her to copy.
* Speak and watch her lips
* Smile and wait for that smile.
If you’re happy and you know it.
When she is lying in her bouncer or you arms look at her, take her hand and hold it gently, play with her hand and stroke her fingers while you sing “If your happy and you know it”.
From birth, your baby prefers to look at a human face above all other objects. Something about the eyes, nose, and mouth attracts your baby's attention. Finger Face is based on that fascination.
Materials:
•
Knit glove
•
Scissors
•
Your hand
•
Colourful felt-tip pens
•
Ability to focus
•
Recognition of faces
•
Social interaction
What to do: 1.
Cut the fingers off a knit glove. 2.
Using felt-tip pens, draw a face in the middle of the glove's palm. Make the eyes and mouth large, bright, and colourful. 3.
Slip the glove onto your hand. 4.
Hold your baby in your lap and turn the glove face toward him. 5.
Now wiggle your fingers and move the face around slowly so your baby can enjoy his new Finger Face friend, who can help you sing songs, tell stories, or just chat.
Safety:
If your baby gets ahold of the Finger Face, he will probably put it right into his mouth, so make sure you use non-toxic felt-tip pens.
Developing eye/hand coordination takes time, but if you watch your baby carefully, you'll see her beginning attempts to control those tiny hands. Fun fingerplays can help your baby work on motor skills.
Materials:
•
Soft blanket or an infant seat
•
Fingerplays, songs, and rhymes
•
Your hands and baby's hands
•
Eye/hand coordination
•
Motor control
•
Social interaction
What to do: 1.
Lay your baby on a soft blanket or sit her upright in her infant seat, and sit close by so she can see you. 2.
Sing or chant songs and rhymes while you play with your baby's hands and fingers. Try one of the following Handy Clap games:
Pat-A-Cake Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man, (clap your baby's hands) Bake me a cake as fast as you can; (repeat clapping) Roll it (roll baby's hands) and pat it; (pat baby's hands) Mark it with a B. (draw a B in the middle of baby's hand) Put it in the oven for baby and me. (gently poke baby in the tummy)
If You're Happy If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap baby's hands) If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap baby's hands) If you're happy and you know it, then your hands will surely show it. If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap baby's hands)
Whoops! Johnny! (Start by spreading your baby's fingers open.) Johnny (touch your baby's baby fingertip), Johnny (touch baby's ring finger fingertip), Johnny (touch next fingertip), Johnny (touch next fingertip), Whoops! Johnny! (slide your finger down in between the forefinger and the thumb, then repeat going backwards) Whoops! Johnny! Johnny, Johnny, Johnny.
Safety:
Hold and move your baby's hands gently as you play.
Bet you didn't know you had a whole music machine right in your mouth! Your baby loves to hear a variety of noises, and your mouth is just the instrument necessary to make a perfect symphony.
Materials:
•
Your mouth, tongue, teeth, and lips
•
Sound discrimination
•
Sound imitation and language development
•
Sound location
What to do: 1.
Hold your baby in your lap, facing you so he can see your face clearly. 2.
Begin making noises with your mouth, such as
* Kissing and smooching
* Clicking your tongue
* Making raspberries with your tongue
* Blowing your lips like a motorboat
* Growling, squealing, gurgling, cooing
* Whistling, singing, humming
* Making animal sounds, such as a duck, dog, cat, horse, cow, pig, chicken, rooster, monkey, snake, bird, donkey, or wolf
Safety:
If you use any instruments, make sure they are safe for your baby to try. Don't make noises too loud, or they could damage your baby's hearing. If a noise disturbs your baby, don't repeat it.
Bath time is fun for most babies, although some don't seem to like the water. But no matter what kind of reaction you get from your baby, you can make bath time more fun by adding a few baby bubbles while you wash.
Materials:
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Soft washcloth
•
Plastic baby tub
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Baby no-tear bubble bath
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Towel
•
Body awareness
•
Language development
•
Listening skills
•
Sensory stimulation
What to do: 1.
Lay a washcloth on the bottom of your baby's plastic tub to help keep your baby from sliding around. 2.
Fill the tub with warm water and add a small amount of baby bubble bath solution. 3.
Place your baby into the tub, holding her securely at all times to gain her trust. 4.
Sit your baby up so she can safely enjoy the bubbles and splash the water if she wants. 5.
Wash your baby's body parts while singing “This Is the Way We Wash”:
This is the way we wash our face, Wash our face, wash our face. This is the way we wash our face, Baby (name) and mummy.
Continue the song with “...clean our neck,” “...rub our chest,” “...scrub our back,” “...bathe our arms,” “...soap our legs,” “...tidy our toes,” and so on.
Safety:
Follow these two rules to make sure your baby enjoys the bath: Be certain that your baby feels secure at all times—don't let her slip or dunk under the water. Make sure the water is always warm—not too hot and not too cold. Always keep baby within arm's reach.
Your baby needs months to gain full control of her body movements, but you can assist her during those early weeks with a game of Tootsie Roll. By four to six months your baby will have mastered the rollover!
Materials:
•
Soft blanket or towel
•
Soft floor surface
•
Directionality
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Locomotion
•
Motor control
What to do: 1.
Place a soft blanket or towel on a soft surface. 2.
Lay your baby down on the blanket, on her tummy. 3.
Pick up one side of the blanket and slowly raise it, causing your baby to tilt to the side. 4.
Continue to slowly roll your baby over, talking to her as you go, and using a hand to spot or guide her as she turns. 5.
When your baby turns over, show your delight. 6.
Repeat until your baby is tired of playing.
Safety:
Be sure to move slowly and keep a hand on your baby so she doesn’t roll too fast and get hurt.
Your baby begins learning speech and language long before he utters his first word. Besides talking to your baby, try a little Tummy Talk. It makes speech and language a sensory experience.
Materials:
•
Your mouth
•
Soft blanket
•
Body awareness
•
Language development
•
Sensory-motor exploration
•
Social interaction
What to do: 1.
Remove your baby's clothes (nappy optional) and place him on a blanket, on his back 2.
Kneel down beside your baby, chat for a mument, and gently rub his tummy.
3.
Now it's time for Tummy Talk. Press your face and lips onto your baby's tummy, and talk, sing, recite a nursery rhyme, or just make up funny words. Vary the pitch and loudness of your voice as you speak.
4.
Add a few kisses each time you finish your words.
5.
Sit up and smile at your baby after each Tummy Talk. Your baby should be giggling while you play and anticipating the next ticklish chat.
Safety:
Don't speak too loudly; you don't want to startle your baby. And if you play this game with a naked baby, keep a nappy nearby, in case of a sudden tinkle!
Since your baby is new on the planet, he spends much of his time trying to figure out his environment. Help him by playing a game of All Gone!
Materials:
•
Soft, colourful toys
•
Blanket, towel, or cloth
•
Anticipation of events
•
Cognitive/thinking skills
•
Object permanence and stability
What to do: 1.
Collect several soft, colourful toys, and place them out of sight. 2.
Seat your baby comfortably in his infant seat and sit opposite him. 3.
Bring out a toy and show it to your baby. Hold the toy close to your face and talk to your baby, to attract his attention. 4.
While your baby is watching, cover the toy with a cloth. 5.
Say to your baby, “All gone!” 6.
Wait a few seconds, then uncover the toy and happily announce, “Here it is!” 7.
Repeat with different toys.
Safety:
If your baby gets upset at the toy’s disappearance, hide the toy slowly to show him what you’re doing. Don’t leave the toy covered for too long.
One of your baby's favourite toys is his feet! They're soft and wiggly, and close at hand. And they feel funny when they're touched! Have fun with Happy Feet as you combine nursery rhymes with toe touching.
Materials:
•
Soft blanket
•
Words to songs and nursery rhymes
•
Your fingers and your baby's toes
•
Body awareness
•
Enjoyment of senses
•
Language development
•
Motor control
•
Social interaction
What to do: 1.
Choose a favourite nursery rhyme that can be played with your baby's feet and toes. 2.
Lay your baby on a soft blanket and kneel beside him so you can reach his feet. 3.
Play one of the following Happy Feet games:
This Little Piggy This little piggy went to market, (wiggle the big toe) This little piggy stayed home, (wiggle the second toe) This little piggy had roast beef, (wiggle the third toe) This little piggy had none, (wiggle the fourth toe) And this little piggy cried, "Wee, wee, wee!" all the way home! (wiggle the baby toe)
Gobble Gobble Wee wiggle, (wiggle baby toe) Two tickle, (wiggle next toe) Three giggle, (wiggle next toe) Four sniggle, (wiggle next toe) Five-gobble! (pretend to gobble up your baby's foot)
Pitty Pat Pony Pitty pat pony, (pat the soles of your baby's feet) Look at her toes. (hold baby's feet and wiggle them) Here a nail, there a nail, (poke the bottom of baby's feet) Gid-up and go! (pat the soles of your baby's feet again).
Safety:
Don't tickle your baby too much. As you probably know from personal experience, excessive tickling becomes uncomfortable.
When your baby’s feet press against a solid surface, she stretches out her legs. This is called the “walking reflex.” Use this reflex to help your baby practice for crawling.
Materials:
•
Soft, nonslippery floor surface
•
Colourful toy
•
Cause and effect
•
Motor control
•
Precrawling exercise
What to do: 1.
Place your baby on a soft floor, on her tummy. 2.
Place a colourful toy a few inches from your baby’s head and call her attention to it. 3.
Sit behind your baby, with your legs or hands pressed against her feet. Your baby will push against the pressure, causing her to propel a few inches forward, toward the toy. 4.
Keep moving the toy and pushing against your baby’s feet until she has inched forward and covered some ground.
Safety:
Be careful not to move your baby too fast. Don’t let her get too close to the toy, or she may hit her head against it.
Your baby begins to respond to touch immediately after birth. The first welcome your baby receives is the tactile comfort of your touch as you hold him. Provide your baby with a Baby Massage so he can delight in the pleasure of your soothing hands.
Materials:
•
Blanket or towel
•
Baby lotion
•
Body awareness
•
Enhanced sense of touch
•
Social interaction
What to do: 1.
Spread a blanket or a towel on a soft carpet. 2.
Place your naked baby on the blanket, on his tummy. 3.
Pour a little baby oil into your hands and rub your hands together to warm up the oil. 4.
Gently massage your baby from his neck to his shoulders, down his arms to his hands, down his back to his buttocks, down his legs, and to his feet. Use a gentle touch, not too firm and not too light. 5.
Turn your baby over on his back and repeat, using more oil.
Safety:
Use a soft touch so you don't cause any rug burns! Be sure your baby isn't allergic to the oils or lotions you use. Avoid touching your baby's face so the oils don't get into your baby's eyes.
