I am not sure how many of you follow my other blog, Pocketful of Posies. While I have been writing the Baby Basics series here, I have also been writing about babies there. The series is called Baby Learning and I have been sharing activities to do with your baby to help him or her learn.
Since the topic is relevant to this series I thought I would share the baby learning activities I have posted so far.
Are you wondering what to do with your newborn? This is an excerpt from a post entitled “What to do with your newborn.”
- Talk to your baby as you carry or hold him or her. You can talk about anything. Get in the habit of discussing everything you are doing even if it seems silly. Your baby doesn’t care.
- Sing to your baby. Your baby doesn’t care whether you are a good singer or not. You can even make up your own songs.
- Move your baby’s arms and legs. Stretch your baby’s arm out and observe his or her reaction. Repeat for the other arm, as well as your baby’s legs. Touch your baby’s hands and see if they will grasp your finger. Talk to your baby as you do this.
- Move an object. Take an object such as a rattle or other similar object and show it to your baby. Move it slowly to the left and then to the right. Does your baby track the object with his or her eyes?
- Provide your baby with tummy time. (This is a link to a post I wrote on my other blog with more information about tummy time.)
- Show your baby pictures and/or toys that are black and white. The contrast between black and white is great for helping your baby’s visual development.
- Provide a mobile or activity gym for your baby. This will not only help your baby’s visual development, but it will also help your baby learn to reach for objects.
- Lay your baby on a blanket on the floor and then gently pull them to a sitting position by holding their hands. This will help your baby learn how to sit up eventually.
- Read to your baby. It is never to early to foster a love of books in your child.
I created some free printables to help your baby’s visual development.
Mirrors are a great learning tool for your baby.
Singing to your baby is a wonderful activity. You can even make up songs like I did. Babies don’t care whether you are a great singer or not. 🙂
When you involve your baby in everyday tasks they are learning, too.
I hope you will find both of these series informative and helpful. I have several more topics in mind for this baby basics series as well as the baby learning series on my other blog.
- A Brand New Baby
- Cord Care
- Newborn Skin Conditions
- Tummy Time
- Clothing a Newborn
- When You Suspect a Problem
- Essential Gear
- Knowing Your Baby
- Trimming Nails & Suctioning Noses
