Tip—Simple movement activities build cognitive and motor skills.

Very new parents are often so shell-shocked by the change of having an infant in their house, it can take a while to figure out that it’s fun to play games with their baby—yes, even a newborn. Gentle movement games help a baby to learn about her own body. She can get to know her arms, legs, hands, and feet. She can also learn that she has two sides to her body. Most parents remember with fondness the time their baby “discovered” his hands and spent days gazing at them (this happens around three months or so). It’s fun to play movement games with your baby and it helps him learn—what’s not to like?

Tools—The following movement activities are drawn from my book, Peekaboo . . . and Other Games to Play with Your Baby. Pick a time of quiet alertness to play with your baby. A good time may be after a nap. If he fusses or shows he doesn’t like the activity, stop and try again at another time. Be sensitive to your baby’s cues.

• Newborn Movement Play—Lay baby on her back. Gently touch her palms together over the middle of her body. Bring her toes up to touch her nose. Carefully stretch her arms above her head. Bend her legs at the knee, one after the other, as if she were riding a bicycle. Talk about each body part as you move it. For example, say, “These are your toes. Now they’re going to touch your nose.” Kiss and blow on baby’s tummy and hands. Stick out your tongue and wiggle it left to right. Some babies will stick out their tongues back at you.

  
  


• Baby Airplane—Try this game at about two months. Moving around helps your baby learn about his body and his surroundings. Pick baby up and hold him firmly around his chest. Lift him up above your head. Say, “Baby goes up!”

  Lower him down. Say, “Baby goes down!”

  Hold him away from you. Say, “Baby goes backward!”

  Pull him back toward you. Say, “Baby goes forward!”

  Hold him out from you and turn yourself around. Say, “Baby goes all around!”

You’ll find more practical tips you can use right now in Peekaboo . . . and Other Games to Play with Your Baby by Shari Steelsmith.

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