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Baby Games
Activities to Promote Motor and Cognitive Development
By Rae Pica
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
Any activity that has Baby reaching for or batting an object promotes eye-hand coordination. Another option, appropriate for infants as young as 3 months, is to sew a bell or bells onto an elastic band that you can slip on your baby's wrists or ankles. Once on, gently shake the body part until Baby looks at it.
Also, when your baby is able to sit unassisted, make him comfortable on the floor, legs apart. Sit opposite him in a similar manner and roll a large, brightly colored ball toward him. Describe what you're doing, and encourage him to push it back toward you.
Manipulative Skills
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