Infant Stimulation Activity 26: interaction v observation

If you think giving your baby black and white toys or the ability to see a black and white mobile is infant stimulation or the way to make your baby smarter, then you are missing the most important and perhaps the best part of an infant stimulation program. Interaction is more valuable than observation. If you are reading a book or the newspaper, put your child in your lap. This will develop your relationship. With that relationship you can promote so much learning, happiness, fun, and love. Babies, just like you and me, learn more from interaction than from observation.

If you have some black and white toys that is great - use them to play with your baby. Pick a theme such as animals or touch, then hold up a teddy bear and say "bear" or "soft". Next pick up a rubber duck and say "duck" or "hard." Your baby won't know a bear or a duck or soft versus hard by looking at these objects. But he will learn what they are when you interact with him. He will also learn how much fun it is to be with you, how much fun it is to learn - and you will find yourself having a pretty good time too!

Infant Stimulation Activity 25: security

One of the most important sensations your newborn can feel is security. Introduce a security toy to keep your baby company in his crib. How about a black and white panda?! Whatever you choose, the toy should be small, soft, and light weight. As your baby comes to know this toy and find it where he is surrounded by comfort and calm you will be able to use it when surroundings are not so comfortable for baby. For example, if you are traveling and staying in a hotel or at someone's home, your baby will recognize the toy and know that all is well at sleep time.

More ways to make bed time in an unfamiliar place more peaceful to baby is to have established a routine. Sing the same bed time lullaby every night and wish your baby a good night with the same words, "good night," "nighty-nighty," "sweet dreams." Whatever you choose repeat the same words each night and seal it with a kiss.

Infant Stimulation Activity 24: sounds of speech

Do not be surprised when around 4 months your baby begins mumbling. He is starting to interact with you! He wants to be sociable; he wants to be a part of your world! This is the time to start reinforcing the sounds of speech. You can say and repeat different sounds - especially if you find yourself saying a silly word. Or sing! How about the ABC's! Or the Banana Boat song (you know, "Daaay-O"). How about Baa Baa Black Sheep or Old MacDonald (with all those animal sounds!)

Smile, sing, teach your baby the sounds of his language!

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 22: Cause and Effect

I have read that you should begin showing your baby “cause and effect” at around 7 months. On the contrary! It is never too early to begin and I have the video to prove it! But do you really have to take my word (or video) as proof? One of the first consequences a baby learns is that when she cries then someone will come. If she is hungry then someone feeds her. When she puts her fist in her mouth and sucks, it soothes her. Your baby realizes that she can make things happen.

And by the way, continue doing all the things that make your baby feel good and secure and comfortable and loved. You will not spoil a baby by comforting her (i.e. picking her up) when she cries and needs to be soothed. Babies need comfort and love and the feeling of security.

So given that we know your baby causes a reaction from you, how about a fun way to cause a reaction from her?!

In this video you will see me “creep” my hands up my sons legs then tickle him under the chin. By the third time watch how he begins to laugh before I barely begin to move my hands! THAT is infant stimulation. THAT is learning. THAT is brain development. And he is not 7 months old; he is 4 months!

Infant Stimulation Activity 21: hand-eye coordination (stacking)

Although infants still might be young, introducing how to stack can never start too early! Stacking boosts both fine and gross motor skills as well as eye-hand coordination. These activities help a baby learn about spatial relationships and shapes as well as cause and effect when he knocks down the blocks. In the accompanying video, my son is 5 months old. Watch how he focuses on the blocks, grabs them, knocks them over, and watches them get stacked again. Then watch that smile! Oh, and please do not make (too much) fun of my music – I am a product of the 80’s (as was the introduction of Susan Ludington-Hoe’s Infant Stimulation Programs) – Oops, this song was released in 1975 – well, I tried!

Infant Stimulation Activity 20: vision - it's a matter of perspective

Sleeping, looking around, rolling, being changed, crying –whatever it is that your baby is doing in his crib he is still seeing all the same things. One thing you can do to stimulate your infant is to move his crib and give him a different vantage point. How simple!

Be sure to explain to your baby that you have moved his crib and tell him what he now can see or point out where the things he could see before are now located relative to his new location: "There is the window." "There is the closet." "There is the door."