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

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of life, a baby is adjusting to his new environment. The key point is the baby’s sense of touch, which needs much stimulation. The beginning activities deal with touch in relation to body parts. The light and sound activities initiate the stimulation of the eyes and ears.

      At various times, all of the first week’s activities should be repeated to reinforce the baby’s awareness of his whole body, body parts, left and right laterality, as well as his sensitivity to light and sound.

      Periodically, you should move your baby from his stomach position onto his back. Also, alternate positions by laying the baby at the head and foot of the bassinet or cot. This further stimulates the baby’s sensitivity to his new environment.

       Mirror and Pendulum

      These activities develop

       a baby’s awareness of his own image

       beginning listening skills

       a baby’s interest in making sounds by watching

       visual stimulation

       an awareness of movement initiating a response

      Use a mirror (preferably non-breakable) or hold the baby close enough to look at himself in a large mirror. Does the baby smile or coo? If he does, smile or coo back. Talk to the baby and call him by his name as you both look in the mirror. Does the baby reach out for the image in the mirror? Use an expressive voice when you talk to your baby.

      Prop the baby up in an infant seat or chair. Be sure to support the baby’s head with an infant collar or rolled blanket. Hang a cotton reel, funny face drawn on a paper plate, or any safe object, from a string or use a piece of one centimetre-wide elastic that is attached to the top of a door, doorway, ceiling fan or something high. This must be in clear view of the baby’s eyes.

      Push the object on the string so that it swings back and forth like a pendulum. Try to encourage the baby to watch it move back and forth.

      Repeat some of the first week’s activities.You may be tired of them, but a baby needs much repetition for awareness and association.

      The cradle gym used in the week 4 activity can be hung across a play pen. The pendulum can also be hung above the play pen or cot. These activities should serve to interest the baby for brief periods of time. However, do not offer both activities at one time. The baby needs only one activity at a time to avoid over-stimulation and confusion.

       The Sock Ball

      This activity develops

       beginning steps in eye-hand coordination

       an awareness of the sock ball and the movement of it

       an enhancement of the sense of touch

       a stimulus to encourage eye-hand movement

      Take an old sock and fill it with polystyrene, newspaper, rags or old stockings. Tie it securely to make a sock ball. Attach it very securely to the side top rail of the cot or play pen with string or sew a Velcro strap to hold it. With the baby lying on his back, move the attached sock ball back and forth from left to right and in clear view of the baby’s eyes.

      Does the baby look at the ball and watch it move? Does he attempt to touch or move it, or does he just ignore it? If the baby is not interested, try again later. Do not forget this activity. Keep trying each week until you meet with success. If the baby is interested, encourage the sock ball activity, but remember a baby’s attention span is very brief. Be patient. Keep the sock ball; it can be used again later in another activity.

      Throughout the week, reinforce the activities that you have done before. Observe your baby’s responses. Can your baby raise his head slightly while he is resting on his stomach? You will notice that the baby’s neck is stronger. Pat the baby’s back and talk to him. Remember to use good voice inflection. This stimulates the baby’s hearing. As you talk to the baby, turn his body over several times and observe his head and neck. Throughout the ensuing weeks you will notice how much stronger your baby is becoming.

       Response to a Noise Maker

      This activity develops

       the baby’s listening awareness

       eye-hand coordination and association (this will be noted when the baby responds to the sound direction)

      Make a sound with a noisy rattle or bell. Does the baby turn his head, eyes or body in the direction of the sound? Then make the sound on the left of the baby and observe. Next, move to the right of the baby and make a sound. Do this several times. Move it first to the left of the baby, then in front of the baby, and then to the right of the baby. Let the baby touch the rattle or bell. Hold the rattle or bell in front of the baby. Does the baby reach for it? If so, let the baby touch or attempt to grasp it. If the baby does not reach for it, move to the left and make a sound with the rattle or bell. Does the baby’s head turn?

      Be sure to repeat the previous weekly activities. These activities are necessary for sequential learning.

       Awareness

      This activity develops

       an awareness of the source of sound

       responses of body parts when moved

       an awareness of left and right laterality

       an awareness of hands

      Lay the baby face down on a quilt or blanket that has been spread out on the floor. Talk to the baby or make a sound. Does the baby lift his head and try to face or see you? If not, try again. Good voice inflection varies the sound and serves to stimulate the baby’s hearing. If the baby displays some response, try making the sound in different directions. Try first to the left, then in front of the baby and then to the right. It is not necessary to make the sound from the baby’s back, because the baby cannot see you there. Be sure to observe any response the baby makes.

      Turn the baby on his back and repeat the above activity. It is important to start on the left and move to the right. Early awareness of left and right laterality assists the baby in learning this concept early.

      Stretch the baby’s left arm out. Does it stay straight out or does it curl back? Next, do this with the right arm. Then do the same with the left and right legs. Be sure to alternate left then right to ensure that the baby is learning left and right laterality. This concept may be more difficult to teach at a later age.

      Press the palms of the baby’s hands together. Do they stay together? Or does the baby separate them and then put them back together? Separating and putting hands back together shows the baby is aware of his hands.

       Interaction With Your Baby With Understanding

      This activity develops

       an awareness of moving objects

       a stimulus to initiate a response to moving objects

       an awareness of colours

       a remote desire to grasp a moving object

      All babies cry, but do you

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