As he becomes more mobile, as his memory improves and as his confidence in his own ability grows, you’re almost certain to see a quick progression in his learning. He can move around to look closer at things and, with his improved hand skills and coordination, he is able explore them more. He is learning about the world all the time but he’ll enjoy these simple games and activities to help encourage him along his way.
Games
*Sponge squeeze*
This is a fun way for baby to explore texture, water and shape and engage in social interaction. This is best played at bath-time.
* Buy a pack or two of sponges and cut each one into a different shape.
* Drop them into the bath one at a time and let him explore them.
* Put each sponge on the side of the bath and press out the water. The sponge should stick to the side of the bath.
* Baby will probably want to make a grab for it.
*Tower demolition*
This game helps build baby’s confidence that he can make things happen, and he will begin to learn that a toy seen in one place can actually be the same toy that he saw somewhere else a mument ago!
* Sit on the floor in front of your baby and build a tower of 4 – 5 bricks between you.
* Encourage her to knock them over
* She will love the excitement of knocking the bricks over and won’t get bored of this game for quite some time!
*Hunt the toy*
In this six months, many of the toys and games that babies enjoy most are those that help reinforce the idea that objects can move and still be the same object, and also that they can still exist even if they are hidden!
Take one of baby’s favourite toys and a cloth or tea towel. Put the cloth over the toy and lift it off to show her the toy. Give her a turn to see if she too will lift it off to expose the toy. You can also try the following ideas;
* Try her with the toy half covered
* Try with the toy completely covered
* If you’re playing with a toy that makes a noise, see what her reaction is if you get the toy to go off from under the cloth.
* Try removing the toy before she (or you) takes the cloth off. Is she surprised?
* Bye-bye baby*
Before children can talk using words they can understand and use hand signs. So include some of these hand signals regularly in play and day to day routine. The easiest one is waving hello or bye-bye.
* Teach her to wave bye-bye.
* Wave bye-bye to everyone when she goes to bed.
* Wave bye-bye to the bus as it disappears down the road.
* Wave bye-bye to the sheep in the field.
* Wave bye-bye to the trains at the station.
Games and Activities to Stimulate Mobility 7-12 months
Playtime tips and games to encourage movement and mobility.
In this six-month period your baby will become quite mobile, but don’t worry, less than half of babies are walking as the year ends. Most will be crawling and many of them will be able to pull themselves up on furniture.
Games
*Play, play, play*
Make the most of toys in her toy box to help keep her entertained and mobile. Toys that encourage her to bounce are great for strengthening the legs, walker or push alongs are good for children beginning to walk around the furniture.
*Come on baby!*
Encourage her to creep (and later crawl) by putting toys just out of reach.
Encourage her to pull herself up by putting toys into the arm-chair.
Encourage her to step out by pushing furniture close together
Let her take her weight on her legs and dance on your lap
*Crawling fun*
Chase her around the sofa (you can crawl too!)
Make a tunnel from some old boxes and let her crawl through.
Show her something – then put it across the room so she must crawl to reach it.
* Up and down*
She not only needs to pull herself up - she also needs to let herself down. Toys in the arm-chair will encourage her to pull herself up - toys in an adjoining chair (which she needs to crawl to) encourage her to pull herself up and sit down again.
*Walky walky!*
Once she is able to stand and support herself with minimum support, she will love having her hands held while she walks. Backbreaking for you- but huge fun for her!
*Dancing*
Once babies find their feet they will want to stand and bounce whenever they have an opportunity. Let her dance on your lap and/or jump her up and down and swing her in the air.
Playtime tips and games to encourage eye-hand co-ordination.
Now that his hands are becoming more skilled he begins to treat toys more individually. He might start putting two bricks on top of each other, push his toy train or put things into his sorter. He can use a pincer grip to pick up small items and will use his thumb to push a larger object into his hand.
(b>Games
* Toy Box *
This really is the age of the hand and he needs lots of practice, toys are the safest things to practice with. He needs toys that will encourage him in different ways. Look for toys that enable him to;
Bang a toy onto the tray of his highchair or one toy onto another.
Prod soft spongy textures
Poke his finger into little spaces.
Feel different textures.
Explore things by stroking his hand across them
Explore by moving toys in his hand
Explore by holding toys with one hand and exploring with the other.
Pass toys between hands
Pick up toys.
Drop toy - initially by tipping them out of his hand but gradually by turning his hand over and then letting go.
Place toys where he wants them to be.
He will need to practice picking up small objects- and since these still tend to go to his mouth small bits of food are best for this.
Something like an activity table is good as they very often feature lots of these actions in one, and they also have the added bonus that they are sturdy enough for him to practice pulling himself up on to his feet.
Toys like blocks and rounds are good for placing or rolling actions.
"Try Peek A Blocks or Roll A Rounds".
* Pincer practice *
He needs to practice using the pincer grip - and since he is still putting most things into his mouth food is the safest thing to practice on!
Peas and carrots - Cut carrots into pea size squares and give him a dish
Pasta - Small pasta shapes can be played with in the same way.
Slices of banana - small pieces of apple, berries or any other food he enjoys.
* Wiggle worms *
Give him a bowl of cooked spaghetti to play with. He will enjoy squashing it in his hand, picking up pieces in his fingers and generally messing about with it. All great for developing dexterity.
* Jelly wobble *
Try the above but with Jelly or mashed potato. These are both great for squashing in his hands and exploring texture.
* Stroke *
Let him stroke your face.
Let him stroke different textured fabrics such as the carpet or a silky cushion.
Talk about the textures.
* Dropsy! *
Let him practice dropping toys from the pram or high chair. Pick them up so he can do it again.
Attach some toys to his high chair with a short piece of elastic so they bounce up and down when he throws them out. Can he grab them back?
* Put and post *
He may be able to put one brick on top of another - but will not line it up first. The Peek A Blocks Collection features a Shape Sorter which is a good choice as the blocks can be handled or stacked and also posted through the differently shaped holes.
The easiest shapes for his sorter are round balls - as long as he gets the ball to the hole he can push it through.
He loves putting things into containers and will enjoy a little bucket or bag to put things into.
By one he may be able to put one brick on top of another.
* Turn *
Give her a chunky board book to read, turning the pages requires the pincer grip!
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.
At the beginning of this stage, you’ll probably notice her trying to ’tell’ you things with particular actions. She’ll continue to babble and smile in conversations. By 12 months your conversations together will probably include some very distinct signals like pointing, waving and even a word or two!
Lets gossip!
It’s important to keep engaging baby in conversation, the more she experiences conversation the more she is picking up. Always give her a chance to give her answer!
* Talk when you sit together, while you change, bath and feed her * Play together and talk as you play.
* Use toys as conversation starters- talk about what the toy does. Play games together.
* Answer when she talks to you, let her draw you into her conversation and in turn draw her into your conversation
* Talk eye-to eye and face to face, and where necessary get down to her level but also call to her across the room to reassure her you are there and thinking about her
* Be her mirror. Reflect back what she does and says. Interpret her actions with words- “you want picking up” when she lifts her arms.
* At other times she will want you to interpret
* Copy her facial expressions and laugh together.
Party piece.
You’ll probably have noticed by now that small children are real show offs and love to demonstrate anything new they’ve learned, which is okay except if it’s a naughty word!
Its great for children to have a party piece that makes them the centre of attention. An easy one is a question they know the answer to and can either say the word or do an action to show you.
* What does the cow say? (he answers moo, or maybe oo oo)
* How tall are you? (he lifts his arms up above his head)
* Where’s daddy? (he points)
Children can learn to answer questions like these before they are one, but only if you - so point, show and make the sounds over and over again.
Where did it go?
Hide and seek games are a big draw for children of this age. They guarantee lots of laughter and excitement. As you play hide and seek games with them, these are a great opportunity to enhance communication.
* Hide a small object in your hand. Show her something small- like a piece of cheese or a chocolate button - then close your fingers over it, put your hand behind your back and ask "where is the cheese" - when she finds your hand let her see and play again. At six months you may have to keep showing her the cheese as you play.
* Hide a bigger object under a cloth
* Hide yourself behind a door and ask "Where’s Mummy?"
* Hide behind the sofa or inside a big packing box and ask "Where’s Mummy?"
Touch and tell
As you carry her around the house point out and name everyday objects
* This is the door.
* This is Molly’s cot
* Here is baby (looking in a mirror)
* Here is Daddy’s coat.
Show and tell
Do the same when you’re out and about. On a walk to the park get down to her level and show her things.
* Look Molly it’s a flower
* Look Molly there is a Dog, Woof woof”
As you start to talk, you look her in the eye and as you mention the word you look at the object it names. From about six months you’ll find that baby naturally follows your gaze and so starts to understand what you’re talking about.
Ride along horsey.
The sounds and movements of action games help baby to learn and remember speech patterns. Ride Along Horsey is a good example:
Ride-along horsey
Don’t you stop Just let your feet go
Clippity Clop
My dog Rags
When your baby is approaching her first birthday, she’ll be able to start to copying simple actions. Try this simple action rhyme.
I have a dog his name is rags,
He eats so much his tummy sags
His ears flip flop (put hands up to ears and wave them)
And his tail wig wags (wiggle hips or body)
And when he walks he goes zig zag. (cross arms in front of body)
My dog rags he loves to play,
He rolls around in the mud all day (hands rotate)
I whistle but he won’t obey
He always runs the other way (on ’runs’ fingers walk)< br/>
"Action songs for fingers hands and toes":articlesmaction-songs-for-fingers-hands-and-toes
Discovering books.
Picture books are a great source for early words. As you look through books together, point at and name objects. As you do this, especially if you look at the same book often, she’ll start to associate sound with object.
Because small children remember actions much better than they do words, action rhymes are brilliant.
The actions help the child to remember long songs, they also help draw the child’s attention to the little sounds that make up words – an important pre-reading skill. Action rhymes are a good option for those muments when you might be hanging about with no access to toys, waiting in line, for a bus or on a long journey for example.
This kind of rhyme is great for letting off steam, improving memory and stimulating communication.
From 6 months
*Five little ducks*
The five little ducks are the fingers, five swim away, four come back, four swim away and three come back- and so on until there are no little ducks left! Five little ducks went swimming one day
Over the ponds and far away
Mother duck said quack, quack, quack
But only four little ducks came back
From 9 months
One two three four five
One two three four five
Once I caught a fish alive
Why did you let him go
Because he bit my finger so
Which finger did he bite?
This little finger on the right.
Count out the fingers on the one two- make a biting mouth with the thumb and index finger, then display the little finger of the right hand.
*Incy Wincy spider*
Incy Wincy spider climbing up the spout
Down came the rain and washed the spider out
Out came the sunshine dried up all the rain
And incy wincy spider climed the spout again.
Incy climbs by touching opposite thumb and index finger and alternating fingers and thumbs. The other actions just mirror the words.
From 18 months
*Peter’s hammers*
Peter works with one hammer (Hammer with one fist)
With one hammer, with one hammer
Peter works with one hammer
All day long
*Verses*
Peter works with two hammers (hammer with both fists)
Peter works with three hammers (add one stamping foot)
Peter works with four hammers (add the other foot)
Peter works with five hammers (add the head)
*Row, row, row your boat*
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream.
Children sit facing each other on the floor, hold hands and rock back and forth
*I hear Thunder*
I hear thunder I hear thunder (stamp feet)<
Hark don’t you, hark don’t you (put hand behind ear)
Pitter-patter raindrops (mime)
I’m wet through (point to self)
So are you (point to her)
*I’m a Little Teapot*
I’m a little teapot short and stout
Here’s my handle (Put one arm on hip)
Here’s my spout (Put other arm out like spout)
When I hear the tea cups hear me shout
Tip me up and pour me out (bend to the side in a pouring action)
When your child is still an infant, once he is able to hold his head up, he will love to enjoy a song with you on your lap.
Singing along with songs like this help develop him develop socially and emotionally as he’ll love the comfort of spending this time with you. He’ll also learn about the rhythm in language. Songs that have a jump or action at the end also help him to learn to expect – to know that something is going to happen.
When he is very young, sit him on your knee facing you and hold him around his waist. When he’s a little older you can hold him by the hands.
Jogging on the Knee
For these songs, jog and jiggle him on your knee as you repeat the words.
*Ride A Cock Horse*
Ride a cock horse to Bambury Cross
To see a fine lady get on a white horse
With rings on her fingers
And bells on her toes
She shall have music
Wherever she goes.
*To Market to Market*
To market to market to buy a fat pig
Home again home again jiggity jig
To market to market to buy a fat hog
Home again home again
Jiggity jog.
Rides with a Jog and Surprise!
These songs feature a surprise fall at the end to make him giggle.
*This is the way the ladies ride*
This is the way the ladies ride trip trot, trit trot trip trot
This is the way the gentlemen ride gallup gallup gallup
This is the way the old man rides. Hobble-dee hobble-dee
And down in a ditch
Trot on the knee at varying speeds- then open your knees to let her fall through a little.
*Father mother and uncle John*
Father, Mother and Uncle John
Road to the doctors one by one,
Father fell off Mother fell off
But Uncle John road on and on
Ride on the knee, hold him tightly and let him jog to one side and then the other.
Rides with an Up and a Down
*Leg over leg over*
Leg over leg over
The dog went to dover
When he came to a style
Up he went over
Cross your legs and sit him on the crook of your foot. Hold her hands and jog her up and down – but every time you say 'over' move your foot up and down. She’ll feel like she’s flying!
Games and Activities to Stimulate Social and Emotional Development 6 – 12 months
At this age she is comfortable with familiar faces, but is very wary of strangers. She is though more outgoing and will be ready to start a ’conversation’ with friends and family.
Games
* Play with me
As she grows up she will play by herself with her toys but she will still love you to join in. Show her what to do, play with her. If the toy has a little surprise- make it happen.
*Rubbing noses
Build closeness and intimacy between you by rubbing noses! Find a little phrase to say- like nuggle nuggle nose. I’m sure you can think of one of your own!
*Sing and say
It’s not too early for nursery rhymes and songs - they help her hear the sounds and rhythms of speech. Find one with nice repeated rhythm and rhyme. It’s even better to add some actions. They can be anything you like- but she’ll enjoy it more if they are consistent.
*Hickory dickory dock*
The mouse ran up the clock (you could hold out her hand and run your fingers your fingers up her arm or stand her up on your lap)
The clock struck one
The mouse ran down (just reverse what ever you did)
Hickory, dickory dock
*That sounds like me!*
Record her babble and play it back to her.
*That’s a baby like me!*
Show her the baby in the mirror- she won’t yet know its her, but that doesn’t mean she won’t love to see!
*Pop goes the weasel*
Do the actions and you’ll get a great reaction from baby!
Half a pound of tuppenny rice
Half a pound of treacle
That’s the way the money goes
Pop goes the weasel
Up and down the city road
In and out the eagle
That’s the way the money goes
Pop goes the weasel
Your baby gains gross motor strength during this time, but she also works on her fine motor skills as her tiny fingers explore the world of temperature, texture, and touch.
Materials:
•
Variety of squeezable objects, such as Play-Doh, clay, marshmallows, sponges, squeeze toys, stress balls, Koosh balls
•
Highchair
•
Classification skills
•
Cognitive development
•
Exploration of the senses—touch
•
Fine motor development
What to do: 1.
Collect a variety of squeezable items, including a few that make noise. 2.
Seat your baby in her highchair and securely attach the tray. 3.
Place one squeezable item on the tray and let your baby explore it. Encourage her to squeeze it and to feel the texture, resistance, tempature, and so on. 4.
After a few minutes, replace the first item with another squeezable item. 5.
Repeat until your baby has explored all the squeezable item. 6.
Place the items in small thin socks, so your baby can't see them. Set all the items on the tray and let your baby explore their similarities and differences through the socks.
Safety:
Supervise your baby at all times to be sure she doesn't eat the items.
Even at this young age, your baby has rhythm! She loves to pound and make noise, so use those skills to turn her into an amateur percussionist. Here are several ways to enjoy the beat of the drums.
Materials:
•
Highchair and tray
•
Wooden spoon, basting brush, and other "drumsticks"
•
Foil, metal pot, plastic bowl, pie pan, newspaper, and other items to pound
•
Cause and effect
•
Listening skills
•
Rhythm and coordination
What to do: 1.
Seat your baby in the highchair with the tray attached. 2.
Offer her a wooden spoon and show her how to pound it on the tray. 3.
Next offer her the basting brush and any other "drumsticks," one at a time. 4.
Then offer her different items to beat, such as a metal pot, a plastic bowl, a pie pan, a newspaper, and so on. 5.
Stuff cotton in your ears so you won't get a headache! (Just kidding!)
Safety:
Watch that your baby doesn't hit herself or others with the drumsticks.
Babies enjoy the game of jack-in-the-box, but the game becomes even more fun when the parent becomes Jack! All you have to do is find a great big box, and you'll delight your baby with a great big surprise.
Materials:
•
Large box
•
Yourself
•
Anticipation and surprise
•
Emotional expression
•
Object permanence
•
Social interaction
What to do: 1.
Get a box large enough for you to fit inside. Set it in the living room and get inside. 2.
Have the other parent bring your baby into the room, asking, "Where's mummy/Daddy?" and singing the jack-in-the-box song: Jack-in-the-Box Jack-in-the-box, you've gone away, Won't you come out and play? Jack-in-the-box, you're hidden away, Pop out so we can play! 3.
Have the parent in the box pop out after the last line of the song. 4.
Switch parents and repeat the game.
Safety:
Pop out slowly and quietly so you don't scare your baby. The idea here is to surprise and delight your baby, not terrify him!
As your baby learns about the many different textures in his environment, you can add to his world by providing some new experiences. Use real snow for this game, or make your own using a blender.
Materials:
•
Clean snow
•
Highchair and tray
•
Towel
•
Cognitive skills
•
Fine motor development
•
Properties of snow—touch, texture, temperature
What to do: 1.
Collect some clean snow from the yard, or make your own by whirling ice cubes in a blender until they are soft and flaky. 2.
Seat your baby in the highchair and securely attach the tray. 3.
Place a cup of snow onto the tray. 4.
Let your baby explore the properties of the snow with his hands and mouth. 5.
If your baby is reluctant to touch the snow, demonstrate how to play with this strange, cold substance. 6.
As the snow melts on the tray, wipe it off with a towel and add another cup of still-frozen snow.
Safety:
If using real snow, be sure it is clean, because your baby will put it in his mouth.
Play a magical game of “Where did it go?” with your baby, and make a toy disappear right before his eyes—without mirrors! He will soon be on to you, and will realise that the toy didn’t disappear, but is still in your hand.
Materials:
•
A favourite toy
•
Cognitive skills
•
Eye/hand coordination
•
Object permanence
What to do: 1.
Find a bright toy that will fit into your hand. 2.
Lay your baby on his back and let him see the toy. 3.
Let your baby hold the toy for a few minutes to explore it. 4.
Gently take the toy from his hands and place it in your palm. 5.
Close both hands and show your baby your closed fists. 6.
Ask your baby, “Where did it go?” 7.
When your baby looks puzzled, open your hand and show him the toy, saying, “Here it is!” 8.
Repeat the game, alternating hands and toys.
Safety:
Be sure the toy is not too small, so your baby won’t choke on it when he examines it.
Your baby’s environment offers a lot of stimulation for her five senses. Provide your baby with a rich variety of interesting things to explore, and she’ll have a great time with her hands and mouth.
Materials:
•
Variety of favourite foods
•
Highchair
•
Plastic floor covering
•
Awareness of the environment
•
Fine motor development
•
Science experimentation
What to do: 1.
Prepare a number of interesting foods for your baby to touch, taste, and smell —in very small amounts—such as fruit flavored gelatin, yogurt, banana, O-shaped cereal, oatmeal, spaghetti, and so on. 2.
Spread a plastic floor covering in the kitchen, and place the highchair on the covering. 3.
Seat your baby in the highchair and place one food item on the tray. 4.
Let your baby play with the food for a few minutes, exploring it with her hands and mouth. 5.
Remove the food and offer a second item for exploration. 6.
Watch your baby’s expression as she examines each new food. Make sure to name and descote each item as you place it in front of your baby.
Safety:
Be sure to keep an eye on your baby so she doesn’t choke on any of the foods.
In this musical version of hide-and-seek, your baby has to search for and find the hidden bells. It's not very difficult—all he has to do is listen while the bells are ringing to discover the secret hiding place.
Materials:
•
Soft toy with a bell inside, or a bracelet made of bells
•
Various hiding places, such as soft toys and blankets
•
Cause and effect
•
Cognitive development
•
Listening skills
What to do: 1.
Find a toy with a bell, or make a bracelet with bells. (Make sure you use bells that are too big for baby to choke on.) 2.
Set your baby on the floor and surround him with a variety of potential hiding places, such as soft toys, and blankets. 3.
Hold up the bells for your baby to see, and shake them for your baby to hear. 4.
Secretly hide the bells under or in one of the hiding places. 5.
Ask your baby, “Where are the bells?” 6.
One by one, lift the hiding objects and shake them. When you lift the object that hides the bells, shake it, but don't let your baby see the bells. 7.
Watch your baby's expression change as you shake the bells. 8.
Uncover the bells and say, “There are the bells!” 9.
Play again, varying the hiding places.
Safety:
Be sure the bells are securely attached to something, so your baby can't swallow them
As your baby begins to talk, she loves making sounds. So take an imaginary trip to the zoo and learn about animals while you increase your baby’s listening and language skills.
Materials:
•
Stuffed animals or large pictures of animals
•
Infant seat
•
Your voice
•
Auditory recognition
•
Classification skills
•
Language development
•
Social interaction
What to do: 1.
Collect a variety of stuffed animals or large pictures of animals. 2.
Seat your baby in her infant seat and sit facing her. 3.
Hold up an animal or picture next to your face, so your baby can see your mouth, then make the animal’s sound. 4.
Give your baby a chance to imitate the sound, then repeat the sound. 5.
Hold up the next animal or picture and make the appropriate sound. 6.
Repeat for all the animals or pictures. 7.
Hold up the animals or pictures again, this time pausing a mument before making the animal sounds, so your baby can anticipate them.
Safety:
Don’t make the sounds too loud; you don’t want to scare your baby.
Your baby now has a wide range of emotions-from joy, to sadness, to anger, even to guilt and pride. Here's a game to help her express positive emotions, while learning her body parts.
Materials:
•
Infant seat
•
Your body parts
•
Your voice
•
Coordination and mimicry
•
Emotional expression
•
Gross and fine motor development
•
Language development
What to do: 1.
Seat your baby in her infant seat on the floor. 2.
Sing the song, "If You're Happy and You Know It," and move the appropriate body part for your baby as you sing.
If You're Happy and You Know It If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. If you're happy and you know it, Then your hands will really show it. If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.
3.
Repeat the song, replacing "clap your hands" with "stomp your feet," "nod your head," "wave your arms," "bend your knees," and "blow a kiss."
Safety:
Move your baby's body gently, so you don't hurt her while you play this active game.
As your baby begins to understand how the world works, you can help her begin to classify items according to similar properties. At this age she’ll think these differences and similarities are magical, but soon she’ll learn they can all be explained scientifically.
Materials:
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5 items that sink, such as heavy toys, teething ring, spoons, baby bottle full of water, a key chain, and so on
•
5 items that float, such as soap, plastic toys, hairbrush, sponges, and so on
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Baby bathtub
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Beginning scientific properties
•
Classification skills
What to do: 1.
Fill a baby bathtub with warm water and gently lower your baby into the water. 2.
Place one floating item into the tub and say, “It floats!” 3.
After a minute, place a sinkable item into the tub and say, “It sinks!” 4.
Alternate items to keep your baby’s interest, then let her drop the items in the tub herself.
Safety:
Never leave your baby alone in or near water.
Balance is a tricky task for your baby to master in those early months. At first he has difficulty just balancing that big head. But soon he’ll enjoy being challenged with games like Tipsy Teeter-Totter!
Materials:
•
Small towel
•
Your leg
•
Balance
•
Development of trust
•
Social interaction
What to do: 1.
Place a small towel on your thigh as a cushion for your baby. 2.
Seat your baby on your thigh, facing you. 3.
Hold your baby by his arms, then move your hands down the length of his arms to his fingers, so you’re holding on lightly.
As you balance your baby on your leg, move your leg around slowly. 4.
Try to let go of one hand, then the other, while balancing your baby, being ready to catch him if needed. 5.
Turn your baby in the other direction and play again.
Safety:
Be ready to catch and hold your baby steady at all times, in case he loses his balance.
As your baby begins to move around the room, make movement more fun for him with a Tunnel Trip. He’ll discover a new way to move himself, and a surprise at the end of the tunnel! All you need is a big box.
Materials:
•
Cardboard box, a little larger than your baby’s body
•
Small baby blanket
•
Cognitive/thinking skills
•
Depth perception
•
Object permanence
•
Problem solving
What to do: 1.
Find a box a little larger than your baby’s body, so he can crawl through easily. Cut both ends off the box to make a tunnel. 2.
Place your baby on the floor at one end of the tunnel. 3.
Position yourself at the other end of the tunnel and call to your baby. Try to get him to come into the box. If your baby needs help, reach in and gently pull him through the box to the other side. 4.
Repeat several times. 5.
Place a blanket over your end of the box so your baby can’t see you, then reach in and pull your baby through to the other side.
Safety:
Make sure the box isn’t too small, and don’t leave your baby alone in the box or he might get scared.
