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It can be hard to know how to interact with your infant. Sure you snuggle, change, and feed them, but what about the in-between times? On the other side of the dreaded four-month sleep regression is what I call the Great Awakening. Your baby will be more alert, playful and responsive. This is one of the most fun times in babyhood as you see your baby’s personality emerge.
Until that awakening, it's not as clear how to interact with your baby in a way that keeps them engaged. I’m going to share three games I like to play with infants that don't require any toys-- just you and your baby bonding.
First, let’s talk about infant development. When you understand what types of activities are engaging for your baby, you’ll be able to branch off my ideas and create games just for your family.
In the first six weeks of a newborn’s life, their focus is solely on growing and adjusting. Some researchers have theorized that human babies are born earlier than is appropriate for their brain development. This explains why babies spend their first weeks acting much as they did in the womb. During this time, babies are learning voices and surroundings. This is a time to talk with them, but they aren’t capable of much other engagement.
Around five to eight weeks old, your baby will experience their first awakening. I call it the Petite Awakening. This is when your baby will start smiling at you and you’ll realize you’re a good parent (you are!). At this point, your baby’s color vision begins to develop and it will reach full development during the Great Awakening (four months old, for those keeping track). They will also be able to see shapes and patterns and will start recognizing the faces of the people they love. At the two-month mark, it becomes easier to play with your baby. They will watch you more closely and may jabber back when you talk to them.
At four months old your baby's personality and skills will pop up quickly. They'll begin laughing and you'll learn what activities they enjoy. They may begin to roll and scoot around this time and soon they'll be creating their own games.
That doesn't mean you can't engage with your baby before that Awakening. Here are three games you can play with your baby from the day they’re born that will engage them through their stages of development in the first few months of life.
1. Talk about your day. Tell your baby what you did that day or what you’re going to do. Is it someone’s birthday or an important day in history? Talk about that too. Do you speak multiple languages? Talk to your baby in both languages. Let them talk back to you and respond excitedly as though you understood what they said. This will encourage them to talk and participate in the conversation.
What they’re learning at:
Birth: the sound of your voice
Two months: the way you move your mouth and the sort of sounds that you make. Your expressions and mannerisms.
Four months: How to mimic and talk back.
2. Tell a story with your hands. You can pick a nursery rhyme or make up a story of your own. Use your hands to narrate. You can also use your baby as the set. If Little Miss Muffet is sitting on a tuffet, let your baby be the tuffet.
What they’re learning at:
Birth: the way touch feels on different parts of their body
Two months: the way that you move and the facial expressions you make
Four months: how to copy your movements
3. Go on an alphabet hunt. Holding your baby, walk through the house and find items that start with each letter of the alphabet. Pronounce all the sounds the letters make. If possible, let your baby touch each item.
What they’re learning at:
Birth: the space around them as well as the changes in light and shadow
Two months: how to track objects and engage with objects
Four months: the variation of sounds that come in their language
These games should be just a starting point for you and your baby. Soon you'll develop your own games that are special just for your family. Leave a comment and let me know what games you enjoy playing with your baby.
Cheers,
Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html