Mobiles and floor gyms further assist with motor skills by persuading your baby to reach for toys and grasp and bat at them
Lots of parenting books advise parents that they should be engaging their babies in all different kinds of play to for optimum physical, social, emotional and cognitive development and it's true. Both structured and free play have a positive impact on your baby's growth and wellbeing, and time should be allotted for both types of play each day. Here are some simple ideas for you to try at home.
0-3 months
Infants spend most of the first three months of their lives intently listening to everything that is going on around them and trying to reproduce sounds, (especially adult voices) by experimenting vocally with the throat, tongue and mouth. Visually babies of this age are drawn to faces and striking objects, and physically they need to learn how to hold their head up, move their neck and manoeuvre their limbs (although not with any sense of control) before they can progress to the next stage of growth. Play time while lying on the tummy is essential for building these motor skills in your baby.
- Because babies are absorbing so much through hearing at this age, play lots of different kinds of music and move your baby's hands, feet, legs and fingers to the music. Songs with actions such as Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Round and round the garden will amuse your baby, even though she won't be able to join in just yet. Talk to your baby constantly and make lots of noises – it's all helpful for her speech development.
- To encourage muscle control in the head and neck, hold a toy above your baby's eyes so she lifts her head to look at it, and move objects such as rattles and toys horizontally in front of her, and watch your baby follow your fingers. Use a hand puppet or sock for the same effect and on nice days take your baby outside on a blanket for tummy time as there are a lot of things she can examine and observe such as the clothes line and birds.
- Your baby's intrigue with bold colour and light means that mobiles that are tied above your baby's cot and floor gyms with hanging features that are suspended over a bassinet, both of which usually have music, mirrors, and lots of colour and patterns, will capture and hold your baby's attention when she is lying on her back. Hanging pictures with unusual patterns or shiny, contrasting designs, or photos with lots of faces, as well as activity boards and quilts with pictures and also work just as well for your baby to look down at during tummy time.
- As your baby gets older, mobiles and floor gyms further assist with motor skills by persuading your baby to reach for toys and grasp and bat at them, helping her to formulate an understanding of cause and effect and hand to eye coordination.
