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These recommended activities can be done daily with
your baby. Make sure to be sensitive to your baby’s
cues. At this age, baby will have a short attention
span. If they aren’t enjoying the activity, or
if they are crying, it is important to attend to his
or her needs. Once baby is calm, you can try again later!
picture cards
Developmental benefits:
Visual Stimulation
click on images above to print
(PDF)
Instructions: Infants
are stimulated by a variety of shapes and patterns.
Because a newborn's visual acuity is still developing,
babies at this age are more apt to be interested in
large, high-contrast (black and white) images. The bold
illustrations found in these Picture Cards will give
baby a visually stimulating activity that can travel
anywhere you go!
Print out the Picture Cards on a your
home printer and mount them to a sturdy cardboard. Use
these cards as a "baby book," describing what
you see. You can also use Velcro to mount these cards
to a flat surface (test the surface first since the
glue from the Velcro can damage many surfaces). Change
the cards every couple of days to provide a novel environment.
Safety Tip: Cards should
be handled by adults only. Print-outs from your computer
are not baby-proof!
tracking games
Developmental benefits:
Coordinating Eye Movement
click on image above to print
(PDF)
Instructions:
Print out the image provided (a black and white snail).
Slowly move it in front of baby’s eyes, from left
to right. The black and white concentric rings will
grab baby's attention. She will look to follow it as
it moves. This exercise will help baby to use both eyes
together and track a moving object.
Safety Tip: Remember,
cards should be handled by adults only. Print-outs from
your computer are not baby-proof!
massage
Developmental benefits:
Bonding with your baby; Body awareness
Instructions:
For a great, quiet-time activity, use a cold-pressed
vegetable oil to
massage baby in circular movements. With baby on her
back, start
with her arms and hands, then legs and feet, then her
belly. Turn her over, and massage her back and buttocks
with the same motions.
Safety Tip: Be very gentle
with your baby during this exercise.
sounds
Developmental benefits:
Rhythm
Instructions:
Gently rock baby to the sounds of soothing music. Hold
baby and dance slowly with her. This type of movement
is very soothing since this is what she has experienced
for the last 9 months in the womb.
Safety Tip: Make sure
the music is not too loud for baby’s sensitive
ears!
imitation
Developmental benefits:
Social interaction
Instructions:
Your newborn is more perceptive than you think! Make
a funny face, or stick out your tongue. You will see
that she will do the same. This is baby's first attempt
at a reciprocal social interaction.
Safety Tip: Your funny
faces should be gentle and sensitive to your baby’s
age and mood. Be sure not to startle or scare baby with
this new experience!
exercise
Developmental benefits:
Physical activity and development; Body awareness; Motor
coordination
Instructions:
Exercise baby's leg muscles. While baby is on her back,
cup her feet in the palm of your hands and gently move
baby's legs up and down, then side to side in a circular
motion.
Safety Tip: Remember
to be gentle with baby. Never leave baby unattended.
So
Smart! is a leading series of award-winning educational
videos, DVD’s, books, music CD’s, gift sets
and activities for babies, toddlers and preschool children.
If you have any questions about our company or products,
please call us toll-free at 1-800-663-2741 or email
us.
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