Infant Stimulation Activity 126: snow bound to bound for snow

Are you feeling the cabin fever in these final days of winter? Don't feel like you have to stay inside just because your baby is a baby! Naturally you do not want to be out in sub degree weather, but a blue sky and some sun even with snow still on the ground is a great time to introduce your baby to a sled ride! If you live in an area where there is going to be lots of snow, there is no better time than the present to get your baby accustomed to the great white outdoors and the fun of a sled!

You will be stimulating so many of your baby's senses. Think of how different the world looks with snow on the ground and how different it smells! Yes, your baby will be taking it all in. And how about that sensation of the sled ride.

And if your baby isn't sitting up on his own yet and therefore cannot sit in a sled, well, you can still bundle him up in a carrier and get him outside to enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds.

Hope this brightens your day with thoughts of heading out the door and getting out of the house!

Infant Stimulation Activity 125: Finger Tip Touch

Allow baby to experience a touch from just your finger tips. Lightly run your finger tips across baby's belly and observe her response. After a few times turn her on her stomach and run your finger tips down her spine.

A baby 4 months or older may lift her head or even arch her back in response to finger tip touch. Watch your baby for positive signs; if she is not enjoying the experience then stop and either move to quiet time or a new activity.

Wordless Wednesday

Infant Stimulaton Activity 124: Telephone Time

Always remember that everything is new for a baby, even your speaking on the telephone. When you are on the phone, hold aby close and look at him. Your baby will enjoy watching and listening to you. He may think the conversation is just for him and he may even start contributing to the conversation with some babbling of his own!

Infant Stimulation Activity 123: Tick Tock

Tick, tock, tick, tock

Allow your baby to listen to the rhythm of a ticking clock. But make this interactive too. Show your baby the clock and say, "This is a clock. Do you hear it ticking?" Then put the clock to your and baby's ears and listen.

You may find that not only is baby enjoying the sound, but is being soothed too!

Infant Stimulation Activity 122: row, row, row your baby

Sit your baby either in your lap and facing a mirror if it is available, or if he can support himself have him sit facing you. Gently "row" baby's arms back and forth while singing.

"Row, row, row, your boat gently down the stream;
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily life is but a dream."

Make sure your singing and baby's arm movements match so he can feel the rythm.

Wordless Wednesday

Infant Stimulation Activity 121: Feather Dusting

What is softer then a feather? And what tickles better?! Keep a new, clean feather duster near where you usually change your baby. While your baby is undressed, tickle her body parts while you tell her what you are doing.

"Tickle tickle, baby's tummy!" "Tickle tickle, baby's shoulder!"

Smile and enjoy the interaction; your baby surely will!

Infant Stimulation Activity 120: praise for trying

At about 3 months old, when you baby is able to hold himself up or is steady enough to be propped up, he will also start reaching for objects. Be sure to praise his attempts!

“Yay! You tried to touch the ball!” “Wooho! You reached for your toy!”

By praising the attempts you are doing 2 important things: 1) by encouraging all the little steps you are encouraging your baby to keep trying until he finally does the one big task of actually grasping the object; and 2) you are instilling pride. Baby is proud of himself because you are proud of him. Eventually he will copy your excitement and will be clapping and cheering for himself.

Infant Stimulation Activity 119: abstract games = abstract thinking

If you have been doing infant stimulation activites with your baby since birth then by 6 months your infant has been listening to you identify lots of objects. "This is your blanket." "This is a spoon." "This is a ball" Eventually as you name objects your baby will be able to identify them too. No, he cannot talk yet, but do not be surprised if he reaches for an object you name if it is in his sight.

Also, even if baby is paying attention to a toy if you say "Daddy!", don't be surprised when he turns around to look for Dad. That is when you will see that your baby really has been listening to and learning what your are saying. He understands that words represent objects and names respresent people. So keep talking and identifying, and baby will keep listening and learning!

Infant Stimulation Activity 118: fun with cardboard?

You have heard about children who play with the box and not the toy that came in it. Well, babies love playing with empty boxes too. Offer your infant an empty soap or toothpaste box. The texture is certainly different than most of her other soft cushy toys.

You can even fill the box something that will rattle , perhaps small beans that a baby will not choke on if the box gets opened. Remember to seal the box completely and always supervise your baby - actually, you should be interacting with her!