Encourage the learning process by talking to your little one, responding to his vocal expressions, and providing colorful age appropriate toys.
You'll now see your baby's personality emerge.
As you play with your baby, keep in mind that play is supposed to be fun. Both you and your child will have more fun if you keep the pressure to learn to a minimum.
1st month
At this age your baby can focus on an object that is 20 cm distance from his face, but he does not see detail. he also pays attention to noises and sounds.
Try to place a toy at 20 cm distance from your baby's face and move the object slowly to the left or to the right, you will see that your baby follow the object slowly this his eyes (don't worry if he loses it, this is normal).
Talk to him, he will watch you intenty and try to imitiate your facial expression.
Toys: rattles, squeak toys, soft stuffed toys or dolls, child-safe activity mirror, pull-string musical toys like mobiles or music boxes for the crib.
2nd month
Your baby will kick and wave his arms when he excited. He will smile at you and he will be able to locate a sound if it is front of him. He also learns cause and effect and how to make things happen.
Place a cause and effect toy like a rotary phone in front of your baby and let him discover how something pops up if he rotates the dial. For the first time he will discover that he has some control about the environment around him.
Toys: balss with bells inside, floor gyms with hanging parts that encourage physical activity like kicking or pulling, pop-up toys where hidden figures like cartoon characters pop uyp when your baby spins, turns, pushes a button or pulls on a lever.
3rd month
When your baby is lying on his stomach, he will begin to lift his head up and prop himself on his elbows. He recognizes you and is interested in faces. He manages to hold onto objects and wave them around.
Place a swinging object in front of your baby. If he hits the object and it swings he will realize that he caused it and will try to hit it again.
Toys: hand-held rattles; playshools play mats, toys on a ring, child safe mirrors.
4th month
Your baby is intersted in people and recocnizes familiar faces. His hands are mostly open and clasping about everything within reach. Coordinating looking and reaching is still difficult and this is where you can help.
As grabbing and touching is the name of the game, choose toys with different textures, buttons to push with bright colours abd variety of sounds.
5th month
Playing peek a boo with a child from about to 5 months old teaches him that things have permanence - that is that they don't disappear altogether when he can't see them. It also teaches him other things - how much fun playing can be and such things as the beginnings of taking turns; a necessary skill in conversation.
6th month
When your child is a little older, play active games like crawling on the floor. This will teach and help him to develop his motor skills. He can almost sit up by himself. The strength is there but not always the balance. He is learning to join in activities that are centred around him.
Use a toys to encourage crawling, toys that further teach your baby the concept of action and reaction.
7th month
If you have a toy that makes a sound or music, help your baby learn how to locate it by listening. Show him the toy and activate the sound. Then place the toy behind your back and activate the sound again. Repeat this several times to see if he'll crawl to you to find the toy.
Toys to stimulate your baby to stand up, shape sorters, but also story books to read from will benefit your baby.
8 month
Your baby is discovering the world and developing his fine motor skills further. Play and developing his fine motor skills further. Play and activities should be targeted at encouraging your baby to discover and try a new things. See if you can encourage your little one to stand up by himself, holding onto a toy or walker. Like always: encourage and praise.
Your baby is ready for toys that encourage standing and cruising, sorting and building. Grab the opportunity of explaining a new toy to engage in a 'conversation' with your baby.
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