With visual and language improvements your baby is ready to interact with the world on a wider level. What baby games can you play to encourage these new developments?
- Fun Foot Baby Games – This is an excellent time to introduce “This Little Piggy” baby game. Start with the big toe, wiggling it between your fingers. As you recite the rhythm below grab the next smallest toe each time you say “This little piggy...”“This little piggy went to market.This little piggy stayed home.This little piggy had roast beef.This little piggy had none.And this little piggy criedWee, wee, weeall the way home!”When you get to the baby toe wiggle it and say “And this little piggy cried...” and on the “Wee, wee, wee, wee” part run your fingers up and down your baby's body, tickling gently. You baby will soon anticipate the ending of the game, laughing before you even tickle him!
- Hand Baby Games – Your baby is getting strong enough to pull herself up grasping your hands or fingers. Pull her up from a lying or sitting position and say “One, Two Three – UP!” She'll soon learn the game and pull herself up when you count, strengthening her arms.
- Voice Game Fun – Your baby is experimenting with his voice changing the shape of the vowel, pitch of his voice and volume level. Encourage him to match the sounds you make and change them up; say “Ah” softly until your baby says “ah”, then say “oooh”, etc. What a fun game! Listening and sound matching games continue to develop until he can say entire words.
- Movement Baby Games –
“Dance little dolly <bear/mouse/whatever>! Dance! Dance! Dance!
Dance little dolly! Dance! Dance! Dance!
Up and down,All around,
Dance little dolly! Dance! Dance! Dance!”
You can adapt this little chant to any toy, “Bear”, “mouse”, etc. Tie a favorite stuffed animal to a colorful ribbon or use a cat toy wand (with baby safe toy). Dance the animal around the room and baby as you chant!
- Baby Sounds Games – You baby finds music interesting, perhaps kicking his feet, or waving his hands when fun music plays. Put on a CD with kids songs and listen to it with your baby. Bounce the baby up and down on your lap, clapping his hands together during a fast paced song and gently rock him back and forth during a slow paced song.
- Floor Time Baby Games – Toys games are more fun now because your baby can reach and grab items with more ease now. Select a variety of rattles, blocks and other small (one-handed) baby toys to play a floor game with them. Hide the toy under a towel and say, “Where is the Ball?”. Quickly pull the towel off, revealing it and say “There's the ball!”
- Singing Baby Games – Sing this game song to the tune of “London Bridge”
“Head and shoulders, knees and toes,knees and toes, knees and toes
Head and shoulders, knees and toes - Pretty Baby!
Eyes and ear and mouth and nose,mouth and nose, mouth and nose.
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose,Pretty Baby!"
Gently touch your baby on the body parts named, or help her touch her own head and shoulders, knees and toes, as you sing through the song. See more ideas for music and babies.
Remember, there is no right or wrong way to play together with your baby – the important thing is to do SOMETHING together! You are your baby's favorite toy.
Resources:
- “The Baby Book: Everything you Need to Know About Your Baby From Birth to Age Two” (2003) by William Sears, M.D. And Martha Sears, R.N.
- “Games to Play with Babies” (1993) by Jackie Silberg
- “Heading Home with Your Newborn” (2005) by Laura A. Jana, M.D. And Jennifer Shu, M.D. With the American Academy of Pediatrics
- “97 Ways to Make a Baby Laugh” by Jack Moore and Penny Gentieu
