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Baby Play

Ways to Stimulate Your Baby

Nov 8, 2006 Teresa Simpson

Ways to entertain and engage your baby.

Babies are stimulated by the world around them. Everything that they hear, taste, smell, and see is influential on their developing minds. You can help your baby as they learn and grow by providing a variety of experiences to stimulate their senses. Here are a few suggestions:

Provide Visual Stimulation:

  • Affix brightly colored shapes to the wall above baby's changing table.
  • Hang a mobile above baby's crib.
  • Put something silly on your head or face.
  • Place baby-safe mirrors within baby's eyesight.

Provide Auditory Stimulation:

  • Play a variety of soothing music for baby.
  • Play a CD of nature sounds such as ocean waves or thunderstorms.
  • Sing songs to baby.
  • Talk to baby with inflection and feeling.
  • Allow baby to make sounds of his own with rattles, pots and pans, and clapping his hands.

Provide Physical Stimulation:

  • Dance with baby, involving him in the motions.
  • Bounce baby in your arms or lap.
  • Provide plenty of room for baby to roll, crawl, cruise, or walk, depending on his developmental stage.
  • Play hand games with baby.

Provide Tactile Stimulation:

  • Give baby large pieces of fabric in a variety of textures.
  • Provide toys with different surfaces.
  • Allow baby to touch Daddy's face before he shaves.
  • Let baby play on different floor surfaces (carpet, rugs, hardwood, tile, etc.).

There are so many ways to stimulate your baby. The most important rule of thumb is to have fun and provide your baby with a variety of experiences.

The copyright of the article Baby Play in Infants & Toddlers is owned by Teresa Simpson. Permission to republish Baby Play in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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