Fun Start: An idea a week to maximize your baby’s potential from birth to age 5 - June Oberlander R.

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a ball and a rattle, or three similar items, in a row. It may be necessary to place these objects on a low table or stool so that they will be within easy reach of the baby.

      Move the object on the left first to see if the baby will attempt to grasp or rake the object closer to him with his hand. Move the next object closer and observe the baby’s response. Move the third object closer and again observe the baby’s response. Does he reach for the third object or does he show a preference for one of the other two? Repeat this activity and encourage the baby to feel each object. It may be necessary for you to assist the baby as you encourage him to touch and grasp each object.

      Substitute other objects and repeat this activity. Be sure to work from left to right as you move each object closer to the baby. This will give the baby a sense of left and right progression, which is a prerequisite to reading and writing.

      Continue to repeat some of the previous activities, particularly the ones associated with the movement of the body parts. Remember to move the left body part first to ensure that the baby establishes a good sense of left and right laterality. As an extension of this concept, gently roll the baby’s entire body from left to right several times.

       More Awareness of Hands

      This activity develops

       more awareness of hands

       listening skills

       an awareness of rhythm and rhyme

       observational skills

      Hold the baby in your lap and encourage him to watch as you place your hands together. Move your hands apart and then together again. Repeat this several times so that the baby is aware of what you are doing. Continue to do this as you say,‘Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man. Bake me a cake as fast as you can. Roll it and pat it and mark it with B, and put it in the oven for Baby and me.’

      Repeat this several times and observe the baby. Does he appear to be interested? Does he attempt to clap his hands to play Pat-a-cake? If not, encourage the baby to copy the pat-a-cake hand movement. If you substitute the initial letter of the baby’s name and use the baby’s name in the rhyme, he may listen more attentively.

      You may need to gently hold the baby’s wrists and assist him. With practice the baby will play Pat-a-cake spontaneously.

      Remember that babies enjoy and need much repetition.

       Awareness of Fingers

      This activity develops

       listening skills

       observational skills

       an awareness of associating finger movement with the words of the finger play song

       a further awareness of fingers

       more awareness of left and right

      Hold the baby’s left hand and touch his thumb. Say,‘This is Thumbkin.’ Touch the forefinger and say,‘This is Pointer.’ Touch the middle finger and say,‘This is Middleman.’ Touch the ring finger and say,‘This is Ringman.’ Touch the little finger and say,‘This is Pinky.’

      Use both of your hands to carry on a pretend conversation with the left and right fingers as you say or sing the song below. Start the finger play song with the left and right hands in the fist position. Each finger should appear and disappear to correspond to the words. (L) represents the left hand fingers. (R) represents the right hand fingers. The words are:

      Where is Thumbkin? Where is Thumbkin?

      (L) Here I am. (R) Here I am.

      (L) How are you today, sir?

      (R) Very well I thank you.

      (L) Run away.

      (R) Run away.

      Repeat the song for each finger and substitute the correct finger for the word, Thumbkin. For example,‘Where is Pointer?’, ‘Where is Middleman?’, ‘Where is Ringman?’ and ‘Where is Pinky?’Repeat this several times. Then place your hands behind you and sing the words as you move the correct fingers forward to correspond to the song. This activity will serve to interest the baby and at the same time enrich his learning.

       Awareness of Toes

      This activity develops

       more awareness of the toes and other body parts

       listening

       enhancement of the sense of touch

      Touch the baby’s bare right foot. Use good voice inflection to maintain the baby’s attention. Even though you will be using the right foot, the progression will be from left to right. Begin with the big toe and move to the little toe and say the following rhyme.

      This little piggy went to market. (Touch the big toe)

      This little piggy stayed home. (Touch the second toe)

      This little piggy had roast beef. (Touch the third toe)

      And this little piggy had none. (Touch the fourth toe)

      This little piggy cried, ‘Wee, wee, wee’ all the way home. (Touch the little toe)

      Say the rhyme several times and repeat it many times in the future. The baby will soon begin to play with his hands, feet, fingers and toes. The tactile sensation of touching each of the body parts will assist the baby in associating the body movement with the body parts. The baby will delight in watching the different body parts move, and will soon realise that he can initiate and control the movement of his body parts.

       Move to Grasp

      This activity develops

       eye-hand coordination

       eye contact and control on a moving object

       an interest in reaching and moving forward

       enhancement of the sense of touch

      Prop the baby up in a sitting position on the floor. Use a strip of thick coloured string or a narrow piece of coloured cloth approximately 30 centimetres long. (The baby should not be left alone to play with the string or cloth.) Move the string or cloth strip in a wiggly fashion and try to interest the baby in reaching for it. Call the baby by name and continue to wiggle the strip. Encourage the baby to reach and attempt to grasp the moving strip. Observe the baby. Does he just ignore it, or does he try to reach and rake it towards him in an attempt to pick it up with his thumb and forefinger?

      Allow the baby to touch and hold the strip. Gently withdraw the strip and lay it down in front of the baby. Give the baby an opportunity to reach for the strip. If there is no response, wiggle the strip again to encourage the baby to reach and attempt to grasp it.

      At another time use a longer strip of cloth or string and tie a small object loosely to one end. Show the baby the attached object and allow him to hold and feel it. Lay the baby on his stomach. Place the attached object in front of him and within his reach. Gradually pull the strip away. Encourage the baby to watch as the attached object is slowly pulled away. Does the baby attempt to wiggle forward to grasp the attached object? Place the baby’s hand on the object and slowly pull the strip away. Keep doing this until the baby gets the idea and is motivated to reach for the

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