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Baby Games
Activities to Promote Motor and Cognitive Development By Rae Pica
Babies need to move in order to learn! Here are several activities that promote motor and cognitive development and deepen the bond between Baby and you.
Rolling Over
You can encourage rolling over by providing a little incentive. While Baby is lying on his back, sit behind him, holding a small toy over his head. Once you have Baby's attention, move the toy very slowly to one side, all the while encouraging him to get it. If Baby rolls over, present him with the toy. You can then repeat the game on the other side.
Visual Tracking
Provide your baby with bright, colorful objects to watch. Finger puppets or a brightly colored sock placed on your hand can be used to gain and keep Baby's attention.
Slowly move your hand up and down, in circles, and to the right and left. Blow bubbles for Baby to watch. When Baby is old enough, encourage her to reach for the bubbles or any other object of desire you place above her.
Body Awareness
Body awareness is essential for babies. Sing and demonstrate Where Is Thumbkin? Play games such as This Little Piggy with both toes and fingers. Touch her nose, exclaiming, "I've got your nose!" Then proceed to play the game with other body parts such as toes, ears, fingers and legs. When Baby is developmentally ready, ask her to find your nose, ears, mouth, etc.
Individuation
There's nothing like the game of peek-a-boo to help the child begin to see himself as a separate individual. It also makes babies laugh! Once Baby is familiar with this game, you can move on to "Where's Mommy (Daddy, Nana, etc.)?" Begin by placing your hands over your face, just as you would with peek-a-boo. Later, hide your whole self behind a piece of furniture, asking, "Where's Mommy?" Then pop up, answering, "Here's Mommy!"
Crossing the Midline
To encourage crossing the midline of the body, hand your baby desirable items in such a way that she has to reach across her body to retrieve them from you. Later, when Baby is crawling and creeping, place a brightly colored object or favorite toy on the floor, just out of reach. Encourage her to go get it. Then, as long as she seems to enjoy the game (she's laughing instead of fussing), keep moving it!
Eye-Hand Coordination
