quick clicks

twins today articles

twins today q&a

community & groups

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Make Learning Fun

Developmental Games for Baby

By Megan L. Fowler

and product development adviser to LeapFrog. "Nothing develops in isolation." For instance, brain development promotes all kinds of other aspects like speech, coordination, social and physical development, along with other areas like recognition. "Promoting stimulation in any of the areas promotes development in other areas," she says.

"There are two elements to the physical development," says Maureen O'Brien director of parenting and child development at The First Years in Massachusetts, a maker of play items for infants. "One is what we call the gross motor or large skills like walking and throwing. The other is fine motor skills. These are the things they can now do with their fingers that they haven't been able to before." Feeding themselves with their thumb and first finger is one example. At this age "they turn into perfectionists," she says. "Their hand-eye coordination is better, and even though feeding is still messy, they can take more control."

O'Brien suggests a number of different games for this age group specifically for motor development. "Good activities are the ones that come naturally," she says. "Peek-a-boo is no longer done with the child on your lap. Now it's with them crawling under the table and peeking around the dining room chairs." Also take turns initiating things. Mom can hide from Baby, making Baby crawl to find Mom. Pots and pans or Tupperware drums are always fun at this age too, she says.

Climbing activities are also a good idea says Erle. "You can create your own obstacle course in your home with couch cushions and pillows and guide them through it," she says. "Also take five minutes and allow them to climb up three or four stairs. But watch them and make sure they are doing it the right way. Make that something safe and fun to do." For the kitchen, she says to designate a cupboard for safe things baby can play with. "Letting them just play and explore is what they want to do," she says. Measuring cups also work well here and in the bathtub.

For outside, bubbles are also fun, Erle says. "Let them chase and pop them," she says. Also, go on walks and allow them to explore different surfaces. Go out into the garden and touch leaves or let them help you plant seeds.

Want to see more?

• Brain Builders: Stimulating Activities for Your 3-month-old Baby
• Books, Babies and Brains: A Few More Good Reasons to Read to Your Baby
• Introducing Music to Your Baby
• Talk about it!

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.