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

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attached to each shoe, bootie or sock that the baby is wearing. Do this several times and talk to the baby as you move the left and right legs. The sound of the jingle bell should serve to interest the baby. Allow the baby to play with his feet and the bells. Then gently lay the left and right legs down. Does the baby repeat this activity independently? Which leg does he attempt to move first? Repeat this activity at various times and try to note which leg the baby moves first. Does he move the same leg first every time? If so, he may be showing a preference at an early age. However, it is desirable to continue to move the left leg first when you initiate this activity. This is suggested primarily to develop the concept of left and right through the sense of touch. The bells, if used, enhance the awareness of left and right through the use of sound.

      Remove the baby’s shoes and socks and encourage him to play with his feet and toes. The rhyme suggested in week 22 (This Little Piggy) can be used to motivate the baby to explore his feet and toes. Babies need to be aware of their body parts and should be stimulated to explore them through the sense of touch.

       Stacking and Falling

      This activity develops

       eye-hand coordination

       an interest in copying or following directions

       a further understanding of the concept ‘down’

       enhancement of the sense of touch

      Use any four objects, such as large plastic laundry detergent caps, cotton reels or wooden blocks, for this activity. Stack the four objects and knock them down while the baby is watching. Repeat this several times. If the baby wants to help, encourage him to do so. Then, both of you knock them down. Use the word‘down’as the objects fall. Encourage the baby to stack the four objects without your help. However, if he shows signs of needing your help, by all means help him. Be sure to praise the baby for any positive responses he may show. Continue to allow the baby to stack the four objects and knock them down. Each time the objects fall, use good voice inflection to stress the word‘down’.

      Throughout the week, find other objects to stack or use the same ones. Avoid using objects that the baby can swallow. Four objects are sufficient at a given time. At this age, too many objects to stack may cause excessive stimulation.

      When the child is older, cut several squares or rectangles from cardboard or polystyrene meat trays that are large enough to support the detergent caps. Assemble additional detergent caps, cotton reels or wooden blocks and use these to balance or stabilise a higher stack.

       Paper Noise

      This activity develops

       the small hand muscles

       enhancement of listening

       the desire to copy or attempt a task independently

       an awareness of the concept ‘inside’

      Use any kind of paper that has been cut in squares of approximately 30 × 30 centimetres. Newspaper may be used, but remember the ink smears. Take one of the squares of paper and show it to the baby. Ball it up in your hands and make as much noise with the paper as you possibly can. Use another square of paper and ball it up close to the baby’s ear so that the baby can hear the crumpling sound better. Give the baby a piece of paper and encourage the baby to ball it up. If it is necessary, ball up a square of paper simultaneously to make sure that the baby understands what you want him to do. Repeat this activity as long as the baby remains interested. If there is no interest, try again later.

      If the baby has been cooperative, encourage him to help you put the balls of paper in the rubbish or waste paper bin. Make a game of it by alternating with the baby in putting the balls in the bin. Praise the baby for any positive attempt that he makes.

      At another time, choose a large toy and show it to the baby. Place the toy inside a box that has been stuffed with crushed paper. Close the box and encourage the baby to open it and find the hidden toy inside. The noise of the crushed paper will interest the baby. However, he may need help at first in finding the hidden toy. Repeat this activity and allow the baby to attempt to find the hidden toy independently. Praise him for any positive response. This helps to develop confidence and a good self-image. For further interest, you can change the object that is to be hidden in the box.

       Shake, Listen and Find

      This activity develops

       listening

       an understanding of the concept ‘inside’

       eye-hand coordination

       association skills

      Use a container such as a shoe box, tin or something similar with a lid. Place a small toy, rattle or block inside the chosen container and close the lid. Shake the container to make a sound. Ask the baby what is inside. Stress the word‘inside’. Open the container and let the baby peek inside. Take the object out of the container and let the baby feel and look at it. Name the object and tell the baby to put it back in the container. Replace the lid and shake the container. Again ask the baby what is inside and allow him to peek, remove the lid and retrieve the object that is inside. Repeat this activity as long as there is interest.

      At another time, change the object that is to be placed inside the container. This will add interest and will assist the baby in learning the names of the different objects that are chosen to hide in the container. He will also discover that the different objects make different sounds when they are shaken in the container.

       Watch the Ball

      This activity develops

       the sense of touch

       eye-hand coordination

       free exploration

       skill in keeping the eye on a moving target

      Show the baby a small ball and allow him to hold and feel it. Then place the ball in a zip-lock bag and fasten it securely. Use your finger and push the ball around inside the bag. Tell the baby that the ball is inside the bag and stress the word‘inside’.

      Allow the baby to feel the ball and push it around. Encourage the baby to watch the ball as it moves around inside the bag. Show the baby how you can stop the ball with your hand, release it, and move the ball again. Encourage the baby to independently move the ball around inside the bag. This new experience will serve to entertain the baby briefly. However, this activity should be repeated at various times. Other objects can be placed inside the bag individually. The baby can push and explore the movement of each object that is placed inside the bag.

       Bowl and Ball Roll

      This activity develops

       enhancement of the sense of touch

       an awareness of a circle

       skill in keeping the eye on a moving target

       beginning independence and confidence

       eye-hand coordination

      Use a large round plastic container, a large flat cake tin or a

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