Each day your baby grows, they’ll learn new things which will make for some exciting experiences. You’ll look forward to the days when they reach those firsts – first words, smiling, crawling, standing, walking and more. But to reach these milestones, they need help learning. We’ve put together a couple of easy ways you can help encourage their development.
Sing to them
You may think nursery rhymes have no meaning to them now, but singing helps your baby learn words, language, and communication. As you sing about things like colors, animals, and parts of the body, point to them as you do it. This is how your baby learns to associate what they’re seeing and what you’re saying. Singing also teaches them rhythm, rhymes, and how to listen.
Play with colorful toys that make sound
Babies really like toys that are colorful and make sound. All the different sounds, textures and colors they’ll play with will help them learn. Build motor skills by using toys to grab their attention and get them to lift their heads. By moving them around you can teach them how to use their eyes to focus. Placing them nearby will encourage them to want to use their bodies to reach and grab with their hands.
Incorporate Tummy Time
To help your baby develop core strength, place them on their tummy for a few minutes at a time throughout the day. Tummy time strengthens muscles in their neck, back and shoulders. They’ll need this core strength to raise their head, use their legs, roll over and crawl. Using different surfaces like blankets and play mats will also help them develop senses of touch.
Reading
Your baby won’t understand every word you’re saying right now, but reading is important for their brain. Reading promotes speech and thought development. Through reading you can teach your baby words, numbers, shapes, and skills like listening and memory. So many baby books use brightly colored pictures and elements that they can touch and feel, which will also spark curiosity. Of course, if they only seem interested in chewing on it, that’s fine too!
Use Mirrors
Using a mirror so your baby can see their reflection is such a simple yet great way to help with their development. They won’t realize it at first, but that toothless grin staring back is their own reflection! Developing that sense of self-awareness of seeing their reflection won’t happen overnight, but you can still have fun with it. Make funny faces with them, point and say their name, and wave hello.
Play with a ball
While they won’t be ready to play soccer or baseball for a while, playing with a ball is a great way to encourage visual and motor skills. Roll a ball back and forth in front of them to motivate them to follow it with their eyes. Using different sizes and shapes of balls during playtime also help muscle development.
Keeping your little one entertained along with helping them reach these milestones go hand in hand. They are at an important age where they need to learn in order to develop. Not only are you encouraging their development, but you’re also doing it in ways that they’ll find fun too.
Disclaimer: PerkinElmer and ViaCord do not endorse or make recommendations with respect to research, medications or treatment. All information is provided for informational purposes only.
Resources:
Naeyc.org. 2020. 10 Ways Babies Learn When We Sing To Them | NAEYC. [online] Available at: <https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/10-ways-babies-learn-sing-to-them> [Accessed 27 August 2020].
Mayo Clinic. 2020. Infant Development: Milestones From 4 To 6 Months. [online] Available at: <https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/infant-development/art-20048178> [Accessed 27 August 2020].
Pathways.org. 2020. Importance Of Tummy Time | When To Start And How To Do It | Pathways. [online] Available at: <https://pathways.org/topics-of-development/tummy-time/> [Accessed 27 August 2020].
Mayo Clinic. 2020. Infant Development: Milestones From 4 To 6 Months. [online] Available at: <https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/infant-development/art-20048178> [Accessed 27 August 2020].
Kidshealth.org. 2020. Reading Books To Babies (For Parents) - Nemours Kidshealth. [online] Available at: <https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/reading-babies.html> [Accessed 27 August 2020].
Pathways.org. 2020. Why Are Mirrors Good For Baby? | Mirrors For Play | Pathways.Org. [online] Available at: <https://pathways.org/mirrors-good-baby/#:~:text=Mirrors%20are%20a%20great%20way,start%20to%20recognize%20their%20reflection.> [Accessed 27 August 2020].
Aoa.org. 2020. Infant Vision: Birth To 24 Months Of Age. [online] Available at: <https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-health-for-life/infant-vision?sso=y> [Accessed 27 August 2020].
