Posted by kkkkk
Every child grows and learns new things at his or her own pace. Children may vary as much as 6 months in some of the things they are able to do. Children developing new skills need lots of practice, therefore, the activities in each age range can be used over and over again. You might notice that some activities are intentionally repeated in various age levels. The activity guide is designed around key routines. Each routine provides multiple opportunities for interactions with adults and materials.
0 - 3 Months
It may take your newborn several seconds to respond to you or he or she may not respond much at all. Be patient — you may need to keep trying or wait a while for your baby to enter an alert, responsive state.
Let’s EAT:
- Describe your baby’s signs of hunger. Describe what you are doing as you prepare for feeding, as well as during the actual feeding process. For example: “I hear you crying. That sounds like a hungry cry. Let’s get ready to eat.”
- Use names for those who are interacting with and feeding your baby. For example: Daddy’s feeding you today.
- During feeding time, if your baby is alert, make “music” while making eye contact with him/her. Click your tongue, make kissing noises, whistle, hum a tune, or sing a favorite tune.
Let’s GET CLEAN:
- While changing a diaper or getting ready for a bath, gently play with your baby’s toes and feet, doing light tickles. Add “This Little Piggy Went to Market” (see song list), touching a different toe per verse.
- After bath time, give your baby’s tummy a sampling of different textures. Collect an assortment of soft, touchable household objects. One at a time, brush each item ever so gently across your baby’s skin, describing the sensation as you go. For example: “Feel the silky scarf? It’s very slippery.”
- After bath time, warm a dime-sized squirt of baby massage oil or plain vegetable oil by rubbing it between your palms. Then gently massage it into your baby’s skin. Name your baby’s body parts as you gently massage each part.
Let’s GO :
- Take a walk outside. Describe the things you are seeing and feeling. Stop and have a picnic.
- Tie or tape some ribbons, fabric, or other interesting streamers onto a wooden spoon. While walking or while riding in the back seat of the car with your baby, pull out the wooden spoon and dangle them gently over and in front of your baby’s face.
- Place your baby on his/her back, holding your baby’s ankles, gently rotate your baby’s legs as you say, “Row, Row, Row, Your Boat.” (see song list)
Let’s SHARE WORDS and STORIES:
- Lie your baby down on a soft flat surface. Gently tap or rub your baby’s hands and fingers while singing “Pat A Cake.” (see song list) Place your baby on his/her tummy (younger babies may only be able to handle a minute or two on their tummy but it is important to provide some tummy time to infants everyday).
- Place cardboard books or black and white pictures in front of your baby. Describe the pictures.
- Read aloud to your baby in a calming tone. At this age it does not matter what you are reading as long you read with expression using parentheses (see above) and make frequent eye contact with your baby.
Let’s SAY HELLO - GOODBYE:
- Play “Now you see it, Now you don’t.” Show your baby a toy. Cover the toy with a cloth, asking “Where is it?” Remove the cloth with a “Here it is.”
- Hold your baby closely or lie your baby down on a soft flat surface. Be sure to be close enough (8-12 inches) so your baby can see you. Start with small movements, like sticking out your tongue or opening your mouth in a wide grin. If you are patient, your baby may try to imitate you.
- Begin to establish predictable routines for diapering, bath time, bedtime, etc. Routines and rituals provide a sense of safety that is the foundation for later exploration.
Let’s REST:
- Create black and white images either by drawing simple patterns such as diagonals, bull’s eye, checkerboard, and simple faces with a black marker onto white paper or by printing out black and white images from the computer. Place these images where your baby can see them, ideally 8-12 inches from their face, in places where your baby has downtime.
- Play “Goodnight Moon” as part of your bedtime routine. Carry your baby around the room or the house and say “goodnight” to favorite toys, people, and objects.
- Play a favorite CD or tape of lullabies or other soothing music while you settle your baby, and then leave it on at a low volume after you leave
- For more song and finger-play. Click Here
3 - 6 Months
Three to six month old begin to pay more attention to the world around them. Positive interactions, filled with language and sensory exploration, are beneficial to your baby’s learning. If your baby is interested and involved in an activity—and having fun—he/she is learning! It isn’t necessary to “teach” very young children. Treasure these early days of playing and cuddling with your little one—it is exactly what he/she needs to grow and learn.
Let’s EAT:
- While cuddling before feeding time, try the following finger play: ‘Round and round the garden, went the teddy bear. One step, two steps Tickle under there (Walk your fingers around your baby’s palm. Take steps with your fingers up their arm, and then tickle their armpit, chin, or feet).
- Hang a wind chime close to where you feed your baby. You can make a home-made one by hanging aluminum pie plates close together. Your baby will enjoy watching and listening to the sound during feeding.
- When your baby can sit upright in a highchair or while holding your baby in your lap, allow your baby to hold and explore spoons. When your baby begins to eat solids, he/she will enjoy holding a spoon while being fed.
Let’s GET CLEAN:
- After changing your baby’s diaper, hold onto your baby’s hands and wrists and count, “one, two, three, up!” GENTLY pull your baby to a sitting position. Smile and lower your baby to repeat.
- After diapering, a bath or while getting dressed, recite “Hickory, Dock” with accompanying movements (see song list)
- Play “What’s that Toy?” by placing a textured toy under your baby’s shirt during diapering or while getting dressed. Talk about what the toy feels like and where it is hidden.
Let’s GO:
- Play Airplane Baby! Rest your baby, tummy down, on your arm with your hand on the chest (similar to football hold). Use your other hand to secure your baby (supporting head and neck). Gently swing your baby back and forth. Walk your baby around the room making airplane noises.
- Hang safe toys that make music or different sounds when they are touched from your baby’s car seat. As your baby discovers them, he/she will begin to experiment with cause and effect. Be sure to point out and recognize your baby’s efforts.
- Weather permitting; take your baby on a nature adventure by taking a walk outside. Collect natural items along the way, such as leaves, grass, sticks, acorns, etc. When you get home, place the items in clear plastic bottles and secure the lids very tightly (you can use glue or tape, as well). Let your baby explore the items inside the bottles. You can punch small holes in bottles containing items which smell.
Let’s SHARE WORDS and STORIES:
- While holding your baby on your lap or while your baby practices sitting up (with support), read a simple story. Board books made of thick cardboard are best. Allow your baby to explore the book (most babies will attempt to place the book in their mouths). Point out pictures.
- Place interesting photos and pictures around the house in areas where your baby will notice them (on the floor where your baby has tummy time, on ceiling above diaper area). Talk to your baby about these pictures when he/she notices them. Photos of family members engaged in various activities will interest your baby the most!
- Have conversations with your baby. Listen for your baby’s babbling. When he/she stops babbling, repeat what you heard, then wait. Your baby will most likely respond and you can repeat this back and forth conversation.
Let’s SAY HELLO - GOODBYE:
- Show your baby a ball then cover it under one of three plastic cups. Make sure your baby sees which cup you hid the ball under. Next, encourage your baby to grab or tap the cup with the hidden ball with a “You found it!”
- After spending time away from your baby, tell your baby about your day.
- A favorite toy, stuffed friend, blanket, or other item helps your baby feel comfortable moving from one place to another. Pictures of family members work great too!
Let’s REST:
- As you cuddle with your baby before nap or bedtime, pull out a flashlight, turn it on, and say “Look at the light!” Slowly move the light around the darkened room, focusing on various objects. Talk about the objects.
- Place an unbreakable mirror on the floor in front of your baby. Your baby will enjoy seeing his/her reflection moving and smiling back.
- Have an open space for your baby to practice rolling and resting. Add small cushions or pillows (with close supervision) for an added challenge.
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