Let's Play! Happy Talk & Dinosaur Dance
It will be quite a while before she says her first word, but that doesn't mean your baby isn't starting to recognize the purpose of language. All those funny sounds she makes, from gurgles to coos, are early attempts to communicate. And the more responsive you are, the more encouraged she'll be to carry on her end of the "conversation."
Appropriate for: Newborn to 4 months
Skills developed: Readiness for speech, auditory
What you'll need: Nothing but your imagination and voice
Make your baby's natural attempts at call-and-response into a game. Start by helping her figure out all the fun sounds she can make with her mouth. Wait for her to make one of her characteristic baby noises, such as "ahh," then repeat it back to her.
Once you've done that a few times, show her some of the things you can do: Make an exaggerated smacking kiss, pop your finger out of the side of your mouth, or make a b-b-b noise by blowing air out of your mouth while wiggling your finger on your lips. At this age, it's unlikely that your baby will make a similar type of sound back to you – but she'll certainly be surprised and entertained by watching you!
Babies are born with a fully developed sense of touch. Here's a fun way to stimulate his sensitive skin while demonstrating cause and effect.
Appropriate for: Newborn to 12 months
Skills developed: Touch, sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: No equipment necessary
Ever play that game of making your hand into a dinosaur by lifting your middle finger to resemble a head and "walking" the other four fingers along? Next time your baby is lying down for a diaper change with his shirt up and tummy exposed, put your "hand-o-saur" where he can see it (on his chest or by his side, depending on his position) and walk the creature over his skin, swaying its "head" from side to side. Use a firm, slightly pressured touch, since tickling can startle newborns.
Then say, "Here comes a dinosaur, walking from your toes to your nose," and start the hand dinosaur walking slowly up your baby's leg to his tummy. Continue from there, building in lots of anticipation.
Remember: Each baby develops at a different pace, so if yours isn't quite ready for this week's activities, don't worry — just try them again in a few weeks.
Long before your baby can communicate much himself, he's developing an ear for speech, and anytime you talk to him, you're nurturing his urge for words. A perfect chat time is when he's up on the changing table – not only is he a captive audience, but your face is close to his level. A game of "telephone" using a cardboard tube will keep him intrigued.
Appropriate for: 4 weeks to 4 months
Skills developed: Auditory
What you'll need: A cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels
Bring the cardboard tube to the next diaper change. Announce, "I'm going to tell you a secret," then put it next to one of your baby's ears and whisper something short and simple – "I love you" is always a good start. Move the tube over to your baby's other ear and add another "secret." If he seems confused, let him see your mouth moving so he knows the source of the sounds.
Common Scents
Newborns are notorious for their keenly sensitive noses: Research has shown that babies can recognize the scent of their own mother's breast milk within the first week of life. To test out your baby's acute sense of smell, try setting up a homemade scent session.
Appropriate for: 4 weeks to 6 months
Skills developed: Olfactory
What you'll need: Containers of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla; perfumes or sachets; a ripe banana; a slice of orange or lemon
Sit down with your baby in your lap (use a blanket to snuggle him if he's a wriggler) and open containers of the various fragrant ingredients on a table or stool in front of you. Pass each item under his nose, watching his face to see his expression. He may open his eyes wide, startle, or even smile. In the case of the citrus (a smell babies generally don't like), he may frown or turn away. Try this activity every few weeks as your baby gets older and see how his reactions change.
Remember: Each baby develops at a different pace, so if yours isn't quite ready for this week's activities, don't worry — just try them again in a few weeks.
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