Have you ever had that awkward moment when you don’t know what to do with your baby once she’s fed, rested and cleaned?
We might feel like we’ve done our job, but still we feel clueless before that little miracle staring at us, but still unable to reply to all our attempts to entertain him.
And what about when they, for our despair, start crying with no apparent reason?
Babies do interact little, specially during the first six months, but their brain connections are already being made. So, even if they seem not to be responding to our singing and toy-shaking efforts, it is very important that we play with them.
From day one your baby is very much attentive to what’s going on around him. She is decoding and categorizing everything, and playing with them works like a puzzle. Interacting with babies is essential for their emotional, social, physical and learning development.
With the right way to play, soon your baby will be smiling and laughing along. Repetition is the key to success.
We have gathered some activities that experts say will spark your baby’s attention and help you make the most of this magical period in both your lives.
1.Stimulate the Baby’s Vision
Look Him in The Eye
Toddlers recognize faces from the very beginning. Whenever they glance at you, they are building up memory of the most important face in the world for them.
Stick Out Your Tongue
Babies as young as 2 days old already imitate facial expressions. It’s a sign of problem solving.
2.Entertain Her
Talk to Her
She’ll just look back at you at first, but once you establish a rhythm of conversation (pause as if she’d talk back to you) she’ll start interacting in some way.
Sing
Educate you baby musically from day one. Studies show that learning rhythms is connected to learning math later on. We’ve found a baby karaoke for you to start
3.Bond
Breast Feed
We can call it nourishing. In all possible ways. Breast Feeding is the best form of bonding. Not to mention the other benefits of breastfeeding. Do it for as long as you can (just don’t feel guilty if for some medical reason you can’t, there are other forms of bonding).
Turn Off The TV
No matter how educational they claim to be, no TV show will provide the interaction the baby really needs.
4.Get Him to Move
Be Her Playground
Use your body as if it were a gym. Lie down on the floor, let her climb and crawl all over you. This is great for coordination.
Teach Him The Moves
Do the Twist and Shout, the Funky Chicken, make him shake his precious little body. Learn how to teach your baby how to dance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu2wIsUoiv0 here. Don’t miss the sensational https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z477UBwhVuM video of the baby who stole everyone’s heart on the internet imitating Rocky Balboa
5.Explore Together
Take Her to The Store
As soon as you can, go grocery shopping with her. Let her get used to new faces and sounds, shapes and colors.
Tell Him What You See
Describe the scenery. “Hey, that is a puppie.””Did you see the blue sky?” - That will enrichen your baby’s vocabulary.
6.Get Silly
Play Peek-a-Boo
It’s more useful than it looks. Not only it provides us with the most beautiful smile in the universe, but it also teaches the baby that objects can appear and disappear.
Pick After
Whenever the baby drops something, pick it up and let her see. Grab a bucket and a tennis ball. It’ll teach her about gravity.
7.Get Her to Touch
Let Him Explore Textures
Take a box of tissues and let him pull the tissues out. Let the baby feel different textures.
Let Her Play With the Food
At the proper time, start serving your baby foods with different consistencies. Let him explore and develop his senses.
There’s a whole universe of things you can do your baby, and the universe is infinite. Keep in mind that babies will respond to activities according to their mood, the appropriate age and time.
Some babies are faster to smile, gig and laugh. That doesn’t mean your baby isn’t developing, everyone is a unique creature in this life and we all have our innate preferences, personalities and timing.
Just like it will be forever, you can play your role as far as you can. There are milestones that can be tracked with a chart, and it’s imperative that you have professional support at every stage.
That said, never underestimate your parental instincts and never forget to enjoy every second of the gift of parenthood. If you want to learn more tips for toddlers, check out the page that inspired this article.
