Time 2 Play: Your Complete Activity Guide With Related Milestones for Children Ages 0-5

By Leana Matodes

YOUR COMPLETE ACTIVITY GUIDE WITH RELATED DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES

This book is for busy parents and caregivers who are in search of knowledge, developmental guidelines and ideas to stimulate their children in appropriate and fun ways to reach their full potential.

It sets out the different progress milestones for each individual age group between 0-5 years and suggests fun activities and exercises to stimulate their:
- sensory & emotional development
- fine motor & visual development
- gross motor development
- feeding and self-help skills
- speech, language and listening development

Each area of development is well explained and followed up with easy activities to stimulate these areas, making use of inexpensive toys and equipment that can be home-made. This book will help you stimulate your baby or toddler on all levels at an early age to ensure a happy, well balanced and healthy life!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 1, 2009
• ISBN: 9781483558967

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SECTION 1.1

0–3 MONTHS

DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDELINES AND FUN STIMULATION ACTIVITIES

TIPS

   Sterilise or clean your baby’s toys as often as possible

   Present toys from different angles to baby, as well as from near and far

   Try to group his toys in plastic containers to make rotation easy and leave some close to the bath / changing pad / in the car / play areas / etc

   Remember to use only one or two toys at a time so that you do not overstimulate your baby

   Use short one- to two-word phrases when talking to your baby

Have fun with your baby while you are stimulating him with some of these suggestions!

YOUR BABY’S SENSORY AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

YOUR BABY WILL PROBABLY …

   Become calm and quiet when picked up and/or when comforted

   Use sucking as a method for calming down

   Enjoy, respond and attend to a variety of sounds in his environment, especially your voice

   Start to look at your face and make eye contact with you from around 5+ weeks

   Start to smile at you around week 6, and respond with a more social smile around week 7+

   Become aware of his hands around week 8, and look at hand and arm movements for a few seconds

   Start to laugh and squeal around week 8+

   Show excitement, eg when hearing the bath water running / seeing the bottle / seeing mommy (caregiver)

ACTIVITIES TO STIMULATE YOUR BABY’S SENSORY AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

(These activities incorporate most of the above milestones)

Our brains must be able to organise and process the information received from our senses, and use that input to respond appropriately to a particular situation. To do so, we must integrate information we receive through all of our senses and from movement and gravity.

Baby sense[i] explains the importance of the baby’s development and how to interpret his sensory signals for enjoyment or overloading.

   Your baby (week 6+) is now starting to notice his environment. He will enjoy his favourite brightly coloured toys and some sensory stimulation.

   Try to keep baby in his own home environment as much as possible, and limit stimulation (eg noisy shopping centres and bright lights).

   The two primary caregivers should hold baby as much as possible, especially during the first six weeks. This is when baby bonds with you and starts to recognise you and your smell. Don’t let other people handle him too much.

   Your baby’s sensory kit / sensory drawer: bath time, playtime and changing pad…

   When you are buying, collecting or making rattles and toys, include different textures and sizes: smooth rattles, ridged edges, rubber teething rings, material, cloths, towelling, fluffy toys, wooden blocks, toilet rolls, cylindrical shapes (eg a fax roll tube), string, shoelaces, netting, vibrating toys, squeezable toys, strings with different shapes of beads or bells, woollen gloves, puppet gloves, your bracelets and necklaces. Baby will especially enjoy toys with bright colours and patterns, eg red, white and black.

   These can all be used to touch baby gently and slowly all over his body / gently rubbed over baby’s body / threaded through baby’s fingers, legs, arms or toes. Continue while baby enjoys this stimulation.

   Bath time, playtime and massage time are ideal times to gently and firmly touch baby’s body with (one at a time) big and small feathers / big and small sponges / paint brushes / make-up brushes / baby’s cream / face cloths / etc.

   During bath or nappy changing time, baby’s hands can be gently rubbed and brought to his face so that baby will start to look at them eventually.

   Baby will also enjoy his joints being gently pulled, pushed and hugged, for example his legs, arms and waist. This gives baby a lot of information about his body parts and where they are. Hold baby’s arms so that he can hug himself; move both arms up or down; and move his hips from side to side so that his body twists slightly.

   If baby brings his arms forward, encourage this movement by letting him touch or feel something with his hands.

   Baby can be placed on different surfaces (short periods of time) during nappy changing or ‘awake’ time, eg a towel, soft blanket, and your skin (as much as possible).

   When you talk or sing to baby, place your face about 10 to 20 cm away, since it will make eye contact easier for baby.

   ‘Sound makers’ (eg rattles) must first be presented from a distance, so that baby is not startled, and can then be brought closer so that baby can focus on the toy for a few seconds.

   Movement is good for baby’s sensory (vestibular) stimulation and you can start with slow dancing / slow rocking movements.

   Talk and sing to baby as much as possible, using slow rocking movements and a gentle song.

   Put baby in different positions, in different rooms and at different heights to avoid boredom.

   You can start to lift or tilt baby’s body very slowly, in different directions.

   Baby can be carried in different positions (eg in a pouch in front of you, against your chest, up against your shoulder).

   If baby does not enjoy sensory stimulation, his own fist or a dummy can encourage him to calm down.

[i] Megan Faure and Ann Richardson, Baby Sense: Understanding your baby’s sensory world, Hoheizen: Metz, 2002.

YOUR BABY’S FINE MOTOR AND VISUAL DEVELOPMENT

YOUR BABY WILL PROBABLY …

   Look at a colourful and bright object or toy for a few seconds

   Blink when he is presented with a toy or object within his visual field

   Follow you or a toy with his eyes when it is presented from the side and moved to the middle (1–3 months +)

   Follow a toy with his eyes when it is moved from one side of the body to the other (past the middle line of the body (2–3 months +)

   Follow a toy with his eyes when it is presented from the top and moved downwards (2–3 months +) and then upwards

   Clench his thumb inside his hand less and less, and keep his hands open most of the time

   Start to move his arms (both arms) actively as soon as he sees a toy or a favourite object

   Start to hold onto toys with active hand and arm movements

   Be able to bring both his arms to the middle line when he is lying on his back

   Start to use active (busy) arm movements to the side to try to touch his toys

ACTIVITIES TO STIMULATE YOUR BABY’S FINE MOTOR AND VISUAL DEVELOPMENT

(These activities incorporate most of the above milestones)

At this stage, making eye contact with your baby and exercising his eye muscles are very important. We also focus on strengthening baby’s hands and fingers.

VISUAL SENSE

   Baby starts to focus and slowly become aware of you and his environment.

   His toys – or your face – can be used while baby is lying on his back. Move the toys, or baby, slowly closer from different angles. The toys can then also be moved from side to side.

   Move closer and further away from baby while talking or singing. This stimulates eye contact and focus.

   Baby will find your face fascinating, so try to wear clothes that contrast with your surroundings. Make sure that baby can see your face (the room must not be too dimly lit).

   Baby sees red, white and black best at this stage, so keep this in mind when presenting a toy or object to baby.

   When presenting toys to baby, remember that they must be big, have contrasting colours, and even have big faces on them.

   To stimulate baby’s visual sense further, use photos of familiar people; pictures of babies; a baby doll; and a mobile.[ii]

   First let baby look at them, then move them slowly from side to side, or up and down.

   Any type of mobile is ideal during the next few months, eg hanger / washing line / bought mobile. The toys, objects or photos on these mobiles can be changed each week, eg red or black balloons with faces on / picture of family members / balloons with sugar or bells inside / tinfoil spiral / Christmas decorations / colourful objects and toys.

   These mobile toys can also be moved slowly from side to side to encourage baby to follow them with his eyes.

   Here are some other ideas for objects that can be hung on your baby’s mobile, at his window, above the changing area, on baby’s door, etc:

   White paper plates, decorated with black or red patterns

   Faces on cardboard

   Boxes wrapped with coloured / textured paper

   Gift cards with pictures

   Colourful party bags

   Animal shaped balloons

   Big colourful balls

   Baby can lie on his side while watching these or be held in your arms with support.

   Baby’s visual skills can also be developed while he is playing on his tummy. You can roll big (initially) balls to baby from side to side. Balls with little bells inside or balls with grips for the fingers are ideal.

FINE MOTOR MUSCLES

   These toys can also be placed at baby’s side, so that when he starts to swipe his arms and move them actively around, he will touch them.

   Towards the end of this developmental stage, baby will start to keep his hands open and unclench his fists. To encourage this, let baby play with cylindrical shapes (eg pipes, toilet rolls, blocks and stacking rings) and smaller shapes that can fit in his hand. You can also gently massage his hand open to encourage this.

   Initially try to give baby rattles that fit snugly in his grip and do not fall out easily.

   Play centres (from baby shops) can be introduced from around week 8. To encourage baby to start reaching, grasping and pulling toys, lay him on his tummy (toys in front of him) or on his back (mobile with rattles, ring-shaped rattles, stretchy toys, toys with elastic on) so that baby can pull or look at soft toys.

   It is very important to lay baby on his tummy (tummy lying) as it strengthens his back muscles, which will help him to sit and crawl. If he does not enjoy this position, try it for five minutes at a time (frequently during the day), using his favourite toys / mirror / water-play mat. Remember to let baby lie on soft and firm surfaces. To assist him at first, you can put a rolled-up towel or blanket under his outstretched arms.

[ii] Use one item at first, then increase the number of objects. Also change the size, colour and shape all the time..

YOUR BABY’S GROSS MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

YOUR BABY WILL PROBABLY …

   Hold his head to one side if he is lying on his tummy

   Try to lift his head (about 45 degrees) when lying on his tummy

   Try to lift his chest when placed on his tummy

   Make crawling movements when placed on his tummy

   Turn his head to the left and right when lying on his back

   Bring both arms to the middle of the chest or the face when lying on his back

   Lift his head when held on the shoulder for a very short period. Try to keep his head in line with the body when held in the air

   Start to enjoy kicking movements with both legs (one at a time and cycling movements) when placed on his back

   Be able to straighten both legs

   Pull his leg upwards when the bottom of the foot is touched or scratched

ACTIVITIES TO STIMULATE YOUR BABY’S GROSS MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

(These activities incorporate most of the above milestones)

It is important at this early developmental stage to handle baby in different positions. Baby is becoming aware of his body and we want him to experience lying on his side, tummy and back. Most of these positions still need a lot of support with your body or cushions.

If your baby resists any of these movements, try to do the exercises more slowly or repeat the activity at a later stage.

   Remember to introduce supported back and side lying (alternate sides) sleeping positions daily.

   While baby is lying on his back, introduce eye muscle exercises (see above), talking and interacting with baby, and body awareness (see above).

   When placing baby on his back, use different textured surfaces and support. Baby can also be placed on your raised legs, while you are sitting. Put toys alongside baby to encourage him to swipe his arms.

   If baby’s arms go forward, encourage this movement by letting him touch or hold something.

   Place baby on his tummy every day. This will strengthen the back and arm muscles that are necessary later for crawling. Baby can first be placed on the tummy with lots of support, eg over a rolled-up blanket or towel or a commercial ‘donut’.

   Baby can also be placed on his side, eg nested in your legs while you are sitting, in his ‘donut’, or on the nappy-change area. Help baby to turn onto his side while you are dressing or undressing him. Baby needs a lot of sensory input on all areas of his body.

   Carry your baby in front of you, eg leaning against your chest while you provide support from below and front, or let him lie sideways against you. Carrying baby on your hip is not recommended at this developmental stage.

   Baby can also be carried over your shoulder. A sling or pouch is highly recommended for optimal sensory input and bonding with the caregiver.

YOUR BABY’S COMMUNICATION AND AUDITORY DEVELOPMENT

YOUR BABY WILL PROBABLY …

   Watch your mouth and eyes when you are talking (week 8+)

   Be startled (get a fright) or blink his eyes, when he hears a sudden noise, especially when he is asleep

   Start to focus and notice books (white background, one colour photo per page) (week 8+)

   Start to react to and anticipate sounds with a change in his behaviour and facial expressions or by crying

   Try to locate sounds – especially the voice of his caregiver – from around week 8+ by turning his head

   Start to use different cries (varying the volume, length, etc) to express his needs

   Use comfort and sucking noises

   Start to make babbling noises during play or interaction with you

   Use single vowel sounds, for example ‘ah’, ‘eh’, ‘uh’ and/or consonants, for example, ‘h’, ‘k’, ‘g’

   Benefit from a hearing test (oto-acoustic emissions) at birth or within the first 3 months

ACTIVITIES TO STIMULATE YOUR BABY’S COMMUNICATION AND LISTENING DEVELOPMENT

(These activities incorporate most of the above milestones)

   When talking to or interacting with your baby at this early stage, remember to use slow one- or two-word phrases. Use a lower tone of voice to calm baby down and a higher pitched voice to get baby’s attention. Try to keep your face about 10 to 20 cm from baby’s to ensure eye contact and good focus.

   When baby starts to babble and coo, imitate his noises. You can encourage these sounds by using one or two of them when interacting with baby, eg ‘ah’, ‘ooh’. This can lead to a game of taking turns.

   From around 8 weeks, baby enjoys watching you do household tasks and talking about them. He also starts to enjoy one or two songs that involve body interaction. Try to do as much repetition as possible and introduce new songs or rhymes only when baby is familiar with the first ones.

   Classical background music is important for baby’s development, but try to avoid excessive noise around him.

   If baby does not respond to loud noises (is not startled, does not blink his eyes at sudden noises, or turn to locate a noise), contact your local audiologist, who will do a hearing test for babies (oto-acoustic emissions). Hearing has a direct impact on baby’s speech and language development.

   Baby will start to discriminate sounds or noises from around 8 weeks by turning his head to find voices or noises (keys, bath water and car) that can be anticipated.

   As part of your sensory kit, use small plastic containers with rice, pasta, sugar or bells (any dry items to create noise) inside to stimulate baby’s hearing. Initially baby can look at the noise-maker. Later, you can present the noise-maker from the side and encourage baby to try to find the source of the noise.

   Stringing bells through baby’s fingers or feet will encourage baby to make and listen to sounds.

   Daily repetition helps baby remember noises and make sense of them. For example, say ‘bath time!’ before the bath. Splash water to develop this sound association.

YOUR BABY’S FEEDING, ORAL-FACIAL AND SELF-HELP SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

YOUR BABY WILL PROBABLY …

   Be able to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing (breastfeeding / bottle feeding)

   Be able to bring his hand up to his mouth

   Open and close his mouth when presented with food (breastfeeding / bottle feeding)

   Copy some of your tongue movements, for example sticking his tongue in and out

   Not drool much because he is not producing a lot of saliva

ACTIVITIES TO STIMULATE YOUR BABY’S FEEDING, ORAL-FACIAL AND SELF-HELP SKILLS

(These activities incorporate most of the above milestones)

Baby is now in the sucking phase and his rooting reflex enables him to locate the nipple or teat. From the first moment the baby latches onto the nipple or teat, the suck-swallow-breathing coordination starts, as well as oral-facial muscle development (mouth muscles).

   Baby can be fed in a supported, semi-sitting position. Lying down is not recommended at this stage, since it could contribute to upper-respiratory infections.

   At this age, baby will still present with lip closure, which is not always complete and some liquid loss may occur.

   While interacting with baby, you can stick your tongue in and out and watch baby try to copy your movements.

   This is the ideal time to make eye contact with baby.

   Stimulate baby’s mouth with your finger (rubbing firmly over gums, cheeks, tongue, etc) or a gum stimulator (a knobbed, rubber brush found in the first toothbrush set) or a finger brush with soft bristles (found in baby shops).

   Baby will still gag easily as well, and this acts as a protective mechanism.

   If your baby presents with severe reflux or drinking difficulties (eg latching difficulties, hypersensitivity in the mouth area, oral defensiveness, etc), contact a speech therapist (one who specialises in feeding difficulties).

   Please remember that each child develops at his own pace and is an individual. Each child might also master each skill at a slightly different age. It is therefore suggested that you seek additional advice from professionals if you have any concerns or questions about your child’s development (more than 3 to 6 months delay). What is important is that your child shows continuous growth on all levels.

SECTION 1.2

3–6 MONTHS

DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDELINES AND FUN STIMULATION ACTIVITIES

TIPS

   Sterilise or clean your baby’s toys as often as possible

   Present toys from different angles to baby, as well as from near and far

   Group toys in plastic containers so that you can easily rotate them. Leave some close to the bath / changing pad / in the car / play areas / etc

   Use only one or two toys at a time, so that you do not over-stimulate your baby

   Use short one- to two-word phrases when talking to your baby

Have fun with your baby while you are stimulating him with some of these suggestions!

YOUR BABY’S SENSORY AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

YOUR BABY WILL PROBABLY …

   Enjoy touching and playing with a variety of textures (eg smooth and ridged rattles, rubber teething rings, material, towelling, fluffy teddies)

   Enjoy interacting with people, toys and other babies

   Enjoy movement and physical touching during play activities (eg rolling / dancing / tickling / rolling over / swinging / interactive singing / and using his body with rhyming games)

   Try to reach for, or look for, the place on his body where a toy or object touched him

   Start to recognise you, and be able to distinguish family members from strangers

   Love to look in the mirror and smile or try to touch the baby in the mirror

   Try to touch your face and use his hands or mouth to feel, tug, poke or pull facial features

   Try to get your attention by squealing or vocalising, since baby loves attention at this stage

   Try to repeat a routine game, song or activity by making sounds or body movements that recur in it

   Be happy and interactive, and cry only if he is angry or in pain. If baby is crying, he should be able to use his hands, his fingers, a dummy or a soft toy to calm himself down

ACTIVITIES TO STIMULATE YOUR BABY’S SENSORY AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

(These activities incorporate most of the above milestones)

The book Baby sense[i] describes the baby’s development and explains how to interpret your baby’s sensory signals for enjoyment or overloading.

Your baby now enjoys touching, manipulating, interacting and mouthing with toys, objects and people so much. These activities can be used to stimulate your baby’s sensory and emotional development.

   When you are buying, collecting or making rattles, bath toys and toys to play with, include smooth and ridged rattles / rubber teething rings / material / fluffy toys / wooden blocks / toilet rolls / cylindrical shapes (eg inside tube of a fax roll) / string / shoelaces / netting / vibrating toys / squeezable toys / strings of different shapes of beads or bells / woollen gloves / glove puppets / your bracelets or necklaces in different shapes and sizes.

   All of these (one at a time) can be given to baby to explore, hold, grab or touch. You can also gently rub them over baby’s body or thread them through his fingers or toes for him to experience.

   Easy to make yourself: a stocking snake or worm. Divide the stocking into sections with string, and fill each section with something different (rice / bags / pasta / bells / sugar / beans / beads / stones / sand / cereal / etc). Baby can now touch, squeeze and listen to each section. (This type of toy is also available commercially.)

   Bath time, playtime or massage time is the ideal time for gently and firmly touching baby’s body with some of the following (one at a time): feathers / sponges / paintbrushes /