Your infant is constantly growing and changing. As a parent, you may marvel at each new developmental milestone she achieves. You may also wonder what you can do to help foster normal and healthy growth. By introducing a few tools that you probably already have on hand, you can promote your infant's healthy development and provide both of you with some entertainment.
Toys
According to Megan Faure and Ann Richardson, authors of "Baby Sense: Understanding Your Baby's Secret World," a toy can be anything that entertains and stimulates your baby. Baby toys, household objects, musical instruments, homemade toys and outside play equipment all offer developmental benefits to your baby. Try providing your baby with several different options during playtime so she can choose to interact with something that interests her. Lynn Gordon, author of "52 Activities for You and Your Baby," suggests giving your baby a cup and some ice cubes to help promote fine motor development skills. A watering can is another option that helps teach your baby to pick up something and try to dump it back out. Small balls, rattles and keys are other toys that help your baby develop her fine and gross motor skills as she learns about the world around her.
Books
Hearing the sounds of language helps your baby learn the rules of language so he can begin to communicate as he gets older, write Faure and Richardson. Books provide an easy way to expose your baby to language while you spend some quality time together. You do not need to read each word in books because simply showing your baby the books and talking about what he sees helps him start down the path toward learning to communicate. Describe colors, patterns, animals and shapes to help build his vocabulary and develop his understanding of the world around him.
Songs and Music
Songs and music help stimulate movement, which helps your baby develop her gross motor and fine motor skills. Singing songs, reciting rhymes and chanting with your infant engages her with your voice as well as with the words she is hearing. Gordon suggests interactive songs to get your baby actively participating. Try reciting "This Little Piggy" or "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" to entertain your baby while also encouraging her to kick her legs, wave her arms and laugh. Over time, your baby will learn the actions and words to the songs so she can participate in reciting them with you.
References
- "Baby Sense: Understanding Your Baby's Secret World"; Megan Faure and Ann Richardson; 2006
- "52 Activities for You and Your Baby"; Lynn Gordon; 2003
