Babies don’t need lots of expensive toys. Packed with developmental games designed to boost your baby’s brain power, Baby Smarts will build the foundation for your infant’s future learning. Test just a few of these activities, and see how your baby laughs and learns as he or she reaches important milestones! Each activity also uses common materials found in the home, so you won’t have to break the bank buying lots of expensive toys and props.
Ah, Boo!
Babies who are up to 3 months old may begin to respond to familiar voices with this activity.
- Hold your baby at eye level and touch his forehead to yours very gently. As you touch foreheads, say “Ah, boo!”
- When you say, “Boo,” move your forehead away from your baby’s forehead and smile at him.
- You can also extend the word “ah” to “ahhhhh.”
- Your baby will love this game, and you will love the connections between you and your baby that the game creates.
Jingle Feet
Babies who are 3-6 months old may learn to play with their hands and feet in this activity.
- Place socks with jingle bells on the toes of your baby’s feet.
- Place your baby on her back and chant the following to her as you gently lift her left leg toward her face. “Jingle bells, left foot, jingle bells, left foot.”
- Put her leg down and then gently move her right food toward her face as you say the same words using right foot instead of left foot.
- After doing this several times, remove the socks and wiggle her toes one by one. As you wiggle her toes, say “Wiggle, wiggle.”
Diaper Game
Babies who are 6-9 months old may learn the names of body parts.
- Pick one of your favorite songs or make up a melody of your own.
- During diaper-changing time, name and sing about your infant’s body parents while lovingly touching each one.
- Start by naming his feet and move up to the tummy, elbows, the shoulders, and, finally, his face.
Brain-building activities (like the ones shown above) may sound simple, but they can help develop your baby’s physical, intellectual, and social-emotional abilities.
Author(s)Jackie Silberg
Brianna Blackburn
A graduate of Western Carolina University with a BA in English, Brianna served as a marketing and editorial Intern with Gryphn House in the Summer 2018.
