CLASSIC GAMES TO PLAY WITH YOUR BABY
by Mary Dixon Lebeau
from americanbaby.com
These baby games will boost your infant's smarts and emerging social skills.
Peekaboo
Once your baby is 4 to 5 months old, she'll be fascinated as you pop up from behind your hands. By 6 to 8 months, she'll be playing along, hiding and then giggling when she makes eye contact.
Why it's so great: Your baby is learning a vital lesson in object permanence. "An infant doesn't realize that things continue to exist after they're out of sight," says Charles Nelson, PhD, professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. "She enjoys the surprise element. You disappear and reappear, which is thrilling to her and teaches her that things come back, which will help her deal with separation anxiety later on."
How to make it even better: Hold a blanket between the two of you. This adds a lesson in body control -- she'll have to plan to remove the blanket, reach for it, and pull it away.
Patty-Cake
At first you should put your baby in your lap and repeat the rhyme while clapping his hands together. As he approaches 8 to 9 months, he'll be able to clap on his own.
Why it's so great: "Playing patty-cake is an exercise in rhythm and coordination," says Vicki Panacione, PhD, child psychologist and founder of the Better Parenting Institute, in Melbourne, Florida. "It also helps your baby develop spatial awareness, as he discovers where to place his hands." Once your child can sit up on his own, he'll become more involved in the game, improving his balance and his ability to focus.
How to make it even better: If you want to work on motor development, teach him to bring his left hand to your left, his right to your right. Learning to cross the invisible line separating left and right is a complex motor skill, one he should be able to master as he approaches his first birthday.
Lap Games
As soon as your child can hold her head up, sit her on your lap. Gently rock or bounce her while you sing or recite a rhyme. Surprise her at the end by dipping her down.
Why it's so great: Adding a poem or song turns lap time into a language lesson. "Exposure to language is important," says Jim Elicker, PhD, director of Early Childhood Programs at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. "The more she hears, the better. She's tuning in to communication."
How to make it even better: As your child gets older, she'll start anticipating the next word in the rhyme. That's a sign her cognitive recognition -- the ability to remember, process, and adapt -- is increasing. Follow her cues as to how much bouncing and dipping she feels like. "If she shows signs she wants to stop, stop," Dr. Elicker says.
Where's Your Nose?
You can start playing this game any time, but your baby won't join in until he's 3 or 4 months. Start simple: Ask, "Where's your nose?" then point and say, "There it is!" Repeat the nose a few times before going on to other features and, eventually, body parts.
Why it's so great: Your baby is exploring the world by becoming aware of himself. "Spatial awareness is an important developmental skill, and body awareness comes first," says Dee Acklie, PhD, director of special education at the College of Saint Mary, in Omaha.
How to make it even better: As your baby starts to understand that things have a name, encourage him to point himself. At first he may show more interest in you, pointing to your nose instead of his own. Soon he'll catch on a sign he's developing a sense of self and his coordination and confidence will grow as he correctly IDs body parts.
What Does the Cat Say?
Ask the question about various animals, then answer it yourself, making exaggerated animal sounds. The noise will attract even a newborn. By 4 to 5 months, she'll try making similar sounds.
Why it's so great: This teaches your child how to imitate those around her. "Although people do it naturally, imitation is extremely important, both emotionally and cognitively," says Dr. Elicker. When you meow back, your child realizes she's got your attention and discovers that her actions get a response. The basic sounds - -mooing, neighing, oinking -- are stepping-stones toward speech development.
How to make it even better: Give the game extra learning power by holding up a book with a picture of a cat as you make the meowing sound. "Your baby will make the connection," says Dr. Elicker.
Copyright © 2007. Used with permission from the September 2007 issue of Parents magazine.
Get Moving
Childhood obesity is a national epidemic, and toy makers have responded with tons of cool gear to keep kids active. Hot Wheels� Electronic Speed Meter pushes kids to zoom, zoom, zoom around the neighborhood. The toy gets clipped onto a belt or bicycle handlebars and then reacts to speed: the faster kids run or bike, the louder the speed meter roars with racecar sound. It also tracks speed and lights up. For preschoolers, there's Smart Cycle, a pint-size stationary bike (at left) from Fisher-Price. Plug it into the TV and, as the child pedals away, he becomes part of a video game he's watching on screen -- he whizzes along in a car race, dodging obstacles as he goes. And from Hasbro, look for Tag Tails: kids don cute, colorful animal back-ends and then play a wild, tail-catching game of chase.
Retro Appeal
Remember when Rubik's Cube was a national obsession? Toys that were cool when you were a kid are back in a big way, but with updated looks. Radio Flyer's classic Inchworm (at left) is sleeker; Play Along's Care Bears have slimmed down and have more detailed facial expressions, but they're still soft and cuddly; Sweet Secrets, those tiny dolls that were hot in the '80s, come with chic, changeable outfits and a fashionable clutch handbag for storing dolls and clothing. And Rubik's Cube from Techno Source? It's now Rubik's Revolution, and it's tricked up with lights, sound, and voice effects.
Getting Personal
Toys that know your name and remember your scores -- this year, there are lots of fun, new gadgets that connect with you in a personal way. Fisher-Price's Puppy Grows & Knows Your Name (at left) grows right before your eyes, but can also sing a song with your child's name in it and ask your child to take him for a walk -- to the kid's favorite place. Leap Frog's Word Launch Learn-to-Read System plugs into your TV and tracks players' scores and individual learning levels. And Zizzle has created Spotz, personalized little fashion buttons (pick a color and image to go inside) that girly-girls can design and wear.
from americanbaby.com..other tys to follow =)
