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- Play a game of "so big!" with your baby. First, ask your baby how big she is. Then, lift her arms above her head and repeat "Emily is so big!" to show her growth and size. This game helps your baby begin to learn the concepts of size and space. Repeat the words and the motion until your baby learns to "answer" the question when asked.
- Collect various sizes of old margarine tubs – so small ones fit inside larger ones. Encourage your baby to put the tubs together, from small to large. Talk about the different sizes of the tubs. Stacking toys such as the different sized, colorful plastic rings are also good for baby to learn concepts of size and sequencing. As a baby begins to play with stacking toys, it takes awhile for him to do it successfully.
- Every day, find moments to read to your baby. Read books, poems and even words on every day items like labels and signs. Hold your baby and read what you’re reading out loud – the newspaper, a magazine article or a novel.
- Repeat, repeat and repeat again. Repetition helps all babies and toddlers form a strong foundation for learning and good behavior. Don’t feel you always have to have a new story, new song or new activity. Children learn from repeated experiences.
- Make sure you have books for small babies to grab and hold. Choose chubby cloth or soft vinyl books specially made for little babies. Make a cloth picture "book" from old scraps of fabric – securely sew or tie squares together for a binding. Securely attach photos, pictures from magazines, pictures you draw, or colorful fabric cut-outs to the "pages." Make up a story as you "read" the book to baby. Make sure your words describe the pictures and colors.
- Use cookie-cutters to trace shapes and patterns on colorful paper. Cut them out and attach the shapes to full sheets of contrasting colored paper and show them to your baby. Make circles, squares, triangles and rectangles, too. Describe the colors, patterns and shapes to your baby.
- When playing with your baby, place a toy under a baby blanket. Encourage her to lift the blanket and "find" the hidden toy! This game teaches your baby simple concepts of problem-solving and raises her curiosity.
- Throughout the day, talk and explain things to your baby. Show him and describe simple objects like dishes, water faucets, shoes, windows, lights, a telephone or towels. Tell him what they are for and how they work. Move his arms, legs, fingers and toes and name them as you play.
- Place uncooked beans or macaroni in a used, round oatmeal or salt box. Decorate the box with pictures (draw or cut them out from a magazine) and colors your baby will enjoy. Secure the decorations and box with clear packing tape and roll the box to and from your baby. Describe the rotating pictures and sounds as it moves.
- Allow your baby to safely experience the sounds, smells, textures and sights of nature. Roll in the grass, make gooey mudpies, point out the colors, shapes and smells of flowers. Listen and feel the texture and coolness of running water. As your baby explores each sense, describe what he is seeing, feeling, smelling or hearing.
- Set out pots, pans, lids and plastic mixing bowls and let your baby beat on them with a large wooden or plastic spoon. Describe the different sounds that are made by each item.
- Make crawling easy for your baby. Be sure her clothes are loose and big enough that she can move easily. Protect her knees. To make sure your house is safe for a crawling baby, get down on all fours and crawl yourself – this puts you at an eye level that makes it easier to see potential dangers for baby. Hazards such as uncovered electrical outlets, unlocked doors and cupboards, sharp furniture corners, fireplace hearths, steps and cords should be secured and made safe.
- Make a texture ball. Cut six, 6-inch squares of different materials such as fake fur, satin, burlap, terry cloth, velvet and denim. Sew them together as a cube and stuff with old socks or pantyhose. As your baby plays with the "ball," describe the different textures.
- Read simple, large and colorful books to your baby. As you go from page to page, point and describe the pictures, colors and words. Help him connect the words to the pictures. If there are animal pictures, make the animal sounds. Do silly voices as you read each character.
- Fill small paper bags with different things – uncooked beans, pasta, buttons, coins. Twist and securely tape the open end so baby can hold and shake the bag. Attach pictures or colors to the outside. As she shakes the bag, describe the sounds. Always make sure your baby is closely watched when she plays with the "shaker bags."
- Find opportunities for your baby to experience live music. Performances of most any type of vocal or instrumental music can be found for free at malls, school concerts, libraries, festivals or with street performers. Singing to, or playing music for your baby helps develop math and analytical thinking skills.
- Check your local library branch for story times for babies and toddlers. Begin early and make visits to the library a routine part of your week.
- Introduce different scents to babies. Let them experience the smell of an orange or a rose, or vanilla, cinnamon, lavender, a bakery, peaches, watermelon or mint.
- With an ice cube tray, freeze different colors of ice cubes by putting a drop of food coloring in each cube. Once frozen, place the colored cubes in zip-lock plastic bags. As your baby plays with the bags, describe the colors and cold and what is happening as the ice melts to water.
- Encourage physical activity by placing favorite toys just out of reach. Safely encourage rolling, reaching and crawling so your baby stretches and grabs at the toys. Place a toy under a towel so he "finds" the hidden item.
- Sit with your baby on the floor with large plastic cups. Place dry cereal like Cheerios in one cup. Help your baby pour cereal from one cup to the other. Use describing words like "empty" and "full" as baby plays.
- Make a game out of saying "bye-bye." Try to get your baby to wave and say the words "bye-bye" with you.
- As babies begin to eat food, make sure they can safely taste a variety of flavors, textures and temperatures. Include foods like warm cereal, cool fruit, lumpy applesauce, crunchy Cheerios, hard teething biscuits. Describe the taste and texture as your baby eats. Always be sure foods are presented at the right stages of growth. Several web sites, including Gerber.com, or Beechnut.com provide nutrition information.
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