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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
Instructions: Babies
at three to six months are still stimulated by black
and white images. At this age introducing images of
animals and objects in this high-contrast format will
create further interest and visual exploration. The
bold images found in these printable cards contain images
of every day objects and animals in a way that will
delight your child, and provide a visually stimulating
activity that can travel anywhere you go! These images
can also be seen in our So
Smart! Sights and Sounds Video.
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!
exercise
Developmental benefits:
Physical activity and development; Body awareness; Motor
coordination
Instructions:
At this age it's important to give baby some time on
her belly to exercise her neck muscles, and let her
begin reaching in an attempt to crawl. While she is
on her tummy, place a toy in front of her, and let her
practice reaching for it. Make sure she is on a soft
surface like a blanket, carpet, or gym mat.
Safety Tip: Remember
to be gentle with baby. Never leave baby unattended.
batting puppet
Developmental benefits:
Motor coordination
click on images above to print
Instructions:
Print out the images of the two faces provided. Using
nontoxic glue, paste them "back to back" on
a piece of cardboard or a paper plate. Punch a hole
in the top and tie a short string (less
than 3 inches) to it so that it can hang. Dangle the
puppet in front of baby and watch her try to bat it.
She will enjoy the transformation of one face to the
other. Does she like one face better?
Safety Tip: Do not leave
baby with this toy unattended. Make sure string is less
than 3 inches.
massage
Developmental benefits:
Bonding, Body awareness
Instructions:
Massage is a wonderful way to bond with baby. It also
has a wonderful effect on baby's health. Massage stimulates
the vagus nerve responsible for digestion and helps
baby digest and absorb food better. Studies have shown
that massaging "preemies" helps them gain
weight twice as fast as preemies that were not massaged!
Try this infant massage technique,
called the "Milking Technique." Using a cold
pressed vegetable oil, massage baby's arms and legs
with a milking motion. Gently squeeze and twist her
arms and legs. Then massage baby's tummy and back
with circular motions.
Safety Tip: Be extremely
gentle with baby. Baby massage requires a much lighter
touch than giving a massage to an adult.
clap hands
Developmental benefits:
Rhythm
Instructions:
While baby is in her bouncy seat, or your lap, listen
to music and move her hands to the beat. Clap her hands
together to the rhythm. Watch baby listen to music on
her own. See if she can find the beat with her arm and
leg movements. I bet you'll be surprised!
Safety Tip: Remember
to be extremely gentle with baby.
language
Developmental benefits:
Language acquisition
Instructions:
Your baby is listening intently to her surroundings
at this age and soaking up this buzzing world of words.
It is important to talk to your baby at this age. One
great way to do this (you might feel a little crazy
doing this) is to describe what you are doing as you
are doing it. For instance: "Now it's time to change
your diaper…What a dirty diaper! Here I go…let's
throw it out! Let's put on a new one..etc." Look
at baby as you tell her what you are doing. Babies begin
to understand language way before they utter their first
word.
Safety Tip: Remember
that quiet time is just as important to baby. Use your
judgement in this area by reading baby's cues.
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.
© 2006 The Baby School Company, Inc. d.b.a. So
Smart! Productions. All Rights Reserved. |
