Activities to Stimulate Infants
Stimulate a One Month Old Baby's Development with Toys and Play
Play with your one moth old baby to stimulate and encourage her development.
Your newborn baby has come along way in just a month’s time. She is beginning to react and respond to the world around her. At the one month mark you may notice your baby makes eye contact with you and others. She can also be caught staring a interesting objects and toys though she will not reach for them just yet. As the month progresses she will begin learning to roll over and lift her head while lying on her tummy.
This month will be full of advancements for your little one. This is also the month when you can begin to have an interactive playtime with your baby. Spending time playing with your one-month old will offer a great stimulus for her to continue developing her muscles and senses of sight, sound and touch. And, playtime is excellent quality time to let her know how loved she is.
Tummy Time
Play tummy time games to encourage her to raise her head and strengthen her neck muscles. Roll a colorful ball or shake a noisy rattle in front of her in her line of sight. Though she is not yet ready to reach for these toys, she will find them worth watching. She may even smile at them. And, after a while you will notice that she is able to hold her head up for longer periods of time.
Baby Exercise
Play an exercising game to help develop her arm and neck muscles. Place a folded towel on the floor and lay your baby’s head and upper back on it. Hold her hands and gently pull her upwards to you. Sing a song or playfully talk to her while doing this and she will respond with laughter. This exercise will help her develop the muscles she will need to sit up on her own later.
Play with your Baby’s Feet
Babies become fascinated with their feet during this month. Kicking becomes one of their favorite pastimes. Tickle her feet and move her legs in a cycling motion and enjoy your baby’s newly discovered toys with her. You can also make or buy sock puppets for her to wear as learning toys. Try sewing a bell onto a pair of her socks. She will delight in the sounds she can make.
Don't Over-Do
Let your baby decide when playtime is over. If she continues to make eye contact and her eyes are bright and wide open then keep up the fun activity. But, if her concentration drifts rapidly or if she becomes cranky then remove any stimulus. Enjoy a quite time with your baby, offer her breastmilk or formula and let her take a nap.
