Infant Stimulation Activity 60: feel the fabric

You know the sensation of different fabrics. Perhaps there is a wool sweater you love, or a satin camisole that is your favorite, or a terry cloth towel that is just so soft. Well, teach your baby about these different textures.

Rub your baby's arms and hands with various fabrics. In fact, satin, wool, and terry cloth are great soft materials to introduce to your baby. You can use swatches of material, various clothing items (just be sure there are not small objects such as buttons that baby can put into his mouth), or you can even create a blanket made of these various fabrics. Then you will be able to travel easily with your infant stimulation tool!

Infant Stimulation Activity 59: pat-a-cake

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man, bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it, pat it, mark it with a ‘b’, put it in the oven for baby and me!

Playing pat-a-cake integrates rhythm, movement, and touch. It’s the perfect introduction to your baby that the senses are connected.

It is best to start with baby laying on her back since you are going to be using your hands. Sing the song and pat touch her hands, even if they are still in fists. When it comes to the rolling part use her arms to ‘roll it’ and clap her hands together to ‘pat it’.

The more often you do this activity the more familiar your baby will become with the pattern of the song. Over time you will start to see her uncurling her hands, anticipating what comes next, and eventually trying to reach up to meet your hands. It is a delight for baby and her senses for sure!

Infant Stimulation Activity 58: location, location, location

Try this fun way to re-introduce nearly any object to your baby. Place a common object that you have shown baby before (a stuffed animal, a rubber duck, a cup, a book) and place around different parts of your body: "The book is on my head!" "The duck is under my chin!" "The spoon is behind my ear!"

This is a great way to get your baby to look around at different parts of the body, experience objects he has already seen in a new place/location, and it is a new approach for you, so you are not bored either!

This is also a great activity to do with older children while introducing them to prepositions (in, on, around, under, behind, above, below, and so on).

Infant Stimulation Activity 57: mirrors

Fasten an unbreakable mirror to the side of your baby's crib or swing or high chair. Introduce her to her beautiful face by pointing at her reflection. Touch her nose, stroke her hair, tap her ears, naming each part as you touch it. Use the mirror for fun interaction between you and your baby, then also allow baby some time on her own to focus on her reflection, track movement, and explore the wonderful things her face can do.

Infant Stimulation Activity 56: pretend face painting

Pretend face painting is a great stimulation activity to do with you infant. You can use a very soft small dry paint brush or even just your finger to "paint" on his face, hands, and feet. The touch will feel wonderful to your baby.

Feel free to incorporate language such as "This is your nose," "This is your hand," "This is your big toe." Or to really emphasize the touch (and tactical sensation) don't say anything at all.

Infant Stimulation Activity 55: peek-a-boo

Peek-a-boo may seem like a simple game; okay, it is a simple game. But there is more than a simple benefit to babies of all ages.

For infants (babies 0-6 months) it is a wonderful and fun interaction. Your infant has the opportunity to study your face, watch your facial expressions, and listen to your voice.

From 6-9 months, babies will have a greater attention span and therefore enjoy the simulation that much more. She may be surprised or startled during the game, so be sure to smile and show that you are having fun.

At 9 months babies are just beginning to understand object permanence, even if he can’t see you, you are still there. This is important because baby is learning to trust that when you are gone (even for a few seconds) you come back.

Eventually of course this game becomes a two-way street and your baby will try to grab at your hands and even begin covering her own eyes.