Since I found out baby’s brain doubles its weight in the first year and that it needs all the stimulation and reaction we can provide in order to grow, the kiasuness in me have made an effort to play, sing and read more with my girls. Because every interaction counts.

But do you know how to play with your baby? Let’s face it, they are not very mobile or verbal.

Here are some simple games I do with my babies (0-6 months) that cover some basic elements of development:

Finger Grasp (Social development, trust, upper body strength)

Finger Grasp is baby’s first initiation at physical contact. It helps babies learn to hold onto another person as a mean of support and communication. It is actually a reflex that occurs if you place a finger on the baby’s open palm. Her hand will close around your finger. Her grip will tighten if you try to remove your fingers.

With Georgia, starting from 3 months, I lay her on my bed, facing up. I let both their hands grasp my fingers and gently lift her up to a sitting position. Then I lower her back to the lying position. Now (at 6 months old), the game has evolved from a sit to a stand. So it is lay, sit, stand. She loves it and wants to do it again and again.

Wheels on the Bus (Language, cognitive, sensory, gross motor)
(Source: Fisher-Price Play IQ)

Georgia’s workout time and she absolutely loves it. These exercises will help keep your baby in shape. Another one of our favourite. Remember to be gentle with your baby’s movement!

Lay your baby on a blanket or towel, on her back. Sing the following song, moving the assigned body part on your baby as you sing.

(Bicycle your baby’s legs as you sing the first four lines.)
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
Round and round, round and round,
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
All through the town.

The people on the bus go up and down.
(lift your baby’s arms up and down)

The wipers on the bus go back and forth.
(roll baby from side to side)

The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep.
(touch your baby’s nose)

Kiss & Tell (Emotional, sensory)

I love doing this with my girls when dressing and undressing them for bath. This activity builds a bond between mommy and baby, while building their cognitive and language skills.

I tell Georgia I love her forehead, then I kiss her forehead. Then I repeat for nose, mouth, ears, belly, hands and toes.

Incy Wincy Spider (Language, cognitive, sensory)

Another favourite activity of ours. In fact, I still do this to my 2 year old, Lauren.

Lay baby on down on the bed. Starting from the sole of her feet, run your fingers up her body while singing ‘Incy wincy spider climbed up the water spout‘. Run the fingers down her body while singing ‘Down came the rain and wash the spider out‘. Gently tap the sole of her feet while singing ‘Out came the sun and dried up all the rain‘. And run your fingers up again while singing ‘And incy wincy spider climbed up the spout again‘. Repeat and ‘climb’ up to different parts of her body. I usually go progressively higher, eventually reaching the top of her head.

Imitation (Visual tracking, sensory, cognitive, social)

Imitation is a complex activity for a baby. She may need some practice but she will learn to imitate you eventually.

I put Georgia in her rocking chair and I sit facing her. If your baby can’t sit up unassisted yet, you can have her laying down, facing up, as long as she is in a position to focus on your face. I start with pursing lips. Do it slowly repeatedly. Watch out for any movement she may make. It may be very subtle but she will get it eventually. I rotate between sticking out my tongue, pursing my lip, mouth wide open, tilting my head to one side, then another. Don’t expect a full-on imitation from your baby but I guarantee you’ll get at least get a smile from her for your silliness.

Tipsy Teeter Totter (Gross motor skill)
(source: Fisher-Price Play IQ)

Balance is a tricky task for your baby to master in those early months. At first she has difficulty just balancing that big head. But soon she’ll enjoy being challenged with games like Tipsy Teeter-Totter!

Place a small towel on your thigh as a cushion for your baby. Seat your baby on your thigh, facing you. Hold your baby by her arms, then move your hands down the length of her arms to her fingers, so you’re holding on lightly. As you balance your baby on your leg, move your leg around slowly. Try to let go of one hand, then the other, while balancing your baby, being ready to catch her if needed. Turn your baby in the other direction and play again.

This is part 4 of a 5 blogs series on how to support babies development most effectively.
Part 5: Find out how to win a Play IQ box for your bub here!

PS: What is your child’s Play IQ?