Infant Stimulation Activity: take a walk

Okay this sounds basic, particularly as the weather warms up around the country, but I will have to repost this in January! Yes, take your baby for a walk throughout all the seasons. My son was born in January – if I waited for Spring that would have been 4-5 months inside! With a newborn! All day! Every day!

Instead, we bundled up and walked and walked and walked . . . every day. Even if baby is bundled up and the cover is over the stroller, the air is still different, the sounds are different, and the motion is different from indoor activities. This is a great time for you to point out some things, “Do you hear a bird?” “Do you hear a car?” “That is a stop sign.” “That is a fire hydrant.” “Do you see the dog?”

Naturally, in the nicer weather your baby will see more, probably hear more, and that fresh air always makes for some great naps!

Infant Stimulation Acitivty: smell

Have you thought about stimulating baby with smells? A newborn's sense of smell is well developed. She is capable of distinguishing smells he likes and those he doesn't. But smell is not merely a pleasant sensation, it has also been found to be important for motor growth promoting involuntary and skeletal movements. In other words - your baby sniffs and automatically has a reaction!

Offer your baby some pleasant smells: mom's perfume and dad's cologne. Put on cotton ball and wave under baby's nose 3 times. Watch for baby's reaction (if you do not wear perfume or cologne try to identify something similar that identifies each of you via smell - perhaps mom's breastmilk or dad's deodorant - as long as it is something pleasant)

Infant Stimulation Activity: swinging (outside)

Spring is springing, so if your local park has baby swings get over there as soon as the weather permits and, of course, when your baby is able to hold her head up. The fist time swinging outside is a wonderful milestone. Bring your camera; bring the camcorder.

Get your baby comfortable in the swing and allow her to get accustomed to it, and then begin slowly swinging her back and forth. Tell her “You’re swinging. Back and forth. Back and forth.” Wait for her reaction and be sure she is enjoying it. The excited sound of your voice will help.

Your baby is not only enjoying the motion, but is also feeling the sensation of a breeze on her face as well as the fresh scents of spring. Mention the breeze, “Do you feel the breeze?” and touch her cheek. Ask if she smells the fresh air, and then show her how to sniff. This might also be her first time to see a number of other children interacting. There is a lot going on, so be sure to watch for signs of over stimulation (cranky, crying, generally not enjoying what you are doing).

When you are finished swinging, give her a big hug and tell her how proud you are of her.

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 44: The Interaction is the Thing!

Even what you might consider the most mundane activities can become pivotal infant stimulation activities that enhance your baby’s brain development. Remember, two things: 1) every activity is new to your infant and 2) it is all about the interaction and fun the two of you have together.

One of our favorite summertime activities was eating corn on the cob, and of course you have to husk the corn. My husband and son would sit in the backyard and enjoy this activity together at least once a week all summer long. Yes, my son, as an infant would interact with his father husking corn!

The stimulators were great – the feel of the grass, the sound of his father’s voice, the texture of the corn cob, and of course all the scents that go with being outside in the summer time. This is a treasured memory – and the husking still remains one of their favorite summertime activities!

Infant Stimulation Activity 34: go for a walk

Okay this sounds basic, particularly as the weather warms up around the country, but I will have to repost this in January! Yes, take your baby for a walk throughout all the seasons. My son was born in January – if I waited for Spring that would have been 4-5 months inside! With a newborn! All day! Every day!

Instead, we bundled up and walked and walked and walked . . . every day. Even if baby is bundled up and the cover is over the stroller, the air is still different, the sounds are different, and the motion is different from indoor activities. This is a great time for you to point out some things, “Do you hear a bird?” “Do you hear a car?” “That is a stop sign.” “That is a fire hydrant.” “Do you see the dog?”

Naturally, in the nicer weather your baby will see more, probably hear more, and that fresh air always makes for some great naps!

Infant Stimulation Activity 30: exploration

Allow your infant to explore with her hands, her mouth, and her eyes. Naturally she will be using all her senses as she is permitted to sit or lie on the floor and play.

Play with what? Of course it must be something safe for her hands to touch, her mouth to taste, and her nose to smell. Here you can see I gave my son a bowl and spoon! Yes, infant stimulation is not about how much money you can spend on a fancy toy for your child; it is about exploration, learning, fun, and of course interacting with you!

Infant Stimulation Activity 23: motion (swinging)

If your local park has baby swings get over there as soon as the weather permits and, of course, when your baby is able to hold her head up. The fist time swinging outside is a wonderful milestone. Bring your camera; bring the camcorder.

Get your baby comfortable in the swing and allow her to get accustomed to it, and then begin slowly swinging her back and forth. Tell her “You’re swinging. Back and forth. Back and forth.” Wait for her reaction and be sure she is enjoying it. The excited sound of your voice will help.

Your baby is not only enjoying the motion, but is also feeling the sensation of a breeze on her face as well as the fresh scents of spring. Mention the breeze, “Do you feel the breeze?” and touch her cheek. Ask if she smells the fresh air, and then show her how to sniff. This might also be her first time to see a number of other children interacting. There is a lot going on, so be sure to watch for signs of over stimulation (cranky, crying, generally not enjoying what you are doing).

When you are finished swinging, give her a big hug and tell her how proud you are of her.

Infant Stimulation Activity 16: Springtime Scents

Spring is coming (to those of us in colder areas) and nature will soon be in bloom. What a great time to get your baby outside for some stimulation! There will be so much to see, hear, touch, and smell. Perhaps you have an herb garden, or a flower garden, or even a vegetable garden. Introduce your baby to the various plants and their wonderful and unique scents. Remember to smile and be just as excited as if you were experiencing the scents for the first time. Life and learning is wonderful!

Infant Stimulation Activity 5: Smell

Have you thought about stimulating baby with smells? A newborn's sense of smell is well developed. She is capable of distinguishing smells he likes and those he doesn't. But smell is not merely a pleasant sensation, it has also been found to be important for motor growth promoting involuntary and skeletal movements. In other words - your baby sniffs and automatically has a reaction!

Offer your baby some pleasant smells: mom's perfume and dad's cologne. Put on cotton ball and wave under baby's nose 3 times. Watch for baby's reaction (if you do not wear perfume or cologne try to identify something similar that identifies each of you via smell - perhaps mom's breastmilk or dad's deodorant - as long as it is something pleasant)