PREMIUM!
10 effective ways to play with your baby to enhance their development
Interacting with your child through play allows us to assist them in navigating this big and new world.
Here’s a list of interactive games you can play with your child:
1. Peek-a-boo
This game helps children learn about object permanence – the idea that even if something is not in front of you, it still exists. It also stimulates their visual and fine motor skills. Plus, who doesn’t want a good laugh?
2. Roll around
This would be the first time your baby moves their entire body at once. This is an important skill to learn for babies as it links sensory and motor skills.
3. Looking in the mirror
This is a fun way to introduce the concept of object permanence and teaches babies to focus.
4. Shakers
Musical instruments are a great way to help little ones gain fine motor skills. Your child will learn to use their hand muscles, fingers, and wrists.
5. Dancing on two feet
This is great and fun to help your little one gain some needed physical strength.
6. Baby bike ride
Not only does this help with strengthening your baby’s legs, but it also helps clear any unwanted gas in their tummy. All you do is move your baby’s feet in a circular motion while they lie on their back.
7. Puppet show
A puppet show will help them develop some language skills and they will also learn about imaginative play, which plays a big role in their toddler years.
8. Knock them down
When you and the baby build some blocks and knock them down, your child learns a lot about cause and effect. You could build, and let them destroy. Destructive play is beneficial for children.
9. Explore kitchen cabinets
This tends to be quite annoying for parents, who are quick to baby proof the cupboards when babies start becoming mobile. Just leave one baby proof cabinet open with plastic containers, and some wooden or plastic utensils. and they might try to stack them together or make them drums. Great for exploration.
10. Count your toes
Babies discover their feet as early as four months. So, it would be fine for mom and dad to share in the excitement by helping them count them. You could even sing along to This little piggy.
