BabyWhispererForums.com
ACTIVITY => Activity Time & Toddler Activity => Topic started by: Nikki~Nathanamp;Danielle on February 14, 2006, 00:18:24 am
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OK, I'll get the ball rolling - feel free to add to this list (if you have a question about activity time please create a new post outside of this post)...obviously most of these are more relevant as baby is a little older than a newborn. Also keep in mind if your baby is prone to overstimulation, to keep things more low-key nearer nap/bedtime.
Black and white pictures (hand drawn or brought book)
Activity gym - mostly for looking at this age
Massage
Cross-crawling activities - baby lying on their back and bring up one leg and opposite arm and touch together, swap arms/legs and repeat
Tummy time - every day and as much as your lo will tolerate (see other sticky for ideas)
Songs with arms actions - wheels on the bus/insy winsy spider/round and round the garden like a teddy bear
Horse riding on your foot which is crossed over your knee
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for those with spirited little ones / babies easily overstimulated great activities for them at 2-3 mo are simply being in nature / outdoors (looking at trees, birds, clouds; touching grass and leaves, etc) or watching people and shadows (my dd2 could watch the shadows on the walls for ages)
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:D Tom loved windows at that age (the ones in the wall not on the computor!! ;) ) it was like baby TV for him!!
:D If your LO doesn't object to having their nappy changed its a great time to bond with them! I use to sing silly made up songs (like "mummy loves you very much".. to the tune of "head sholder knees and toes"! :-[) and takl to him on the changing mat.
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Swaying, Swaying
-By using your lap as a cradle, sit in a chair with your baby lying on your thighs, her feet pointing toward your stomach. Cradle her head with your hands and gently sway your body from side to side as you talk or sing to her.
Pom Pom Play
-Gather together some large brightly coloured pom poms or small cuddly toys. Get the baby's attention by holding the toy 30-38cm above his face. Slowly move the toy from side to side, keeping pace with his ability to track the object with his eyes.
-Try slowly lifting the object up and down so he can watch it moving from near to far. Touch the toys to his torso, or use it to stroke his face and arms. Of course, you shouldn't leave the baby unattended with small objects.
-This gentle game with engage his attention, stimulate his senses, and eventually make him smile.
Infant Massage
These are very simple forms of massage compared to the books and classes available to parents.
-Using a milking motion, gently sqeeze down each arm and leg. Then move your hands from the centre of her torso out to the sides. Or softly brush your fingertips over her skin. Speak or sing to her at the same time.
-Place your fingers on her temples and make very small, gently circles. Then place your fingertip in the middle of her forehead and draw them slowly along her eyebrows. Try gently moving your thumbs along the bridge of her nose. down around her nostrils, and to the corners of her mouth.
Dance with Baby
-Holding your baby securely against your chest, dance slowly and smoothly around the room to any kind of rhythmic music: classical, country, gospel, etc. The movement replicates the movements he felt when he was in the womb and stimulates his sense of balance.
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Someone posted this website on the Oct/Nov thread. I bookmarked it, so thought I would post it here. It's a link that has black/white pictures for infants. I printed some off for my LO and she loves them.
http://www.envisagedesign.com/ohbaby/infstim/graphics.html
Also, ceiling fans are instant entertainment around here. ;)
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Wow! Thank you so much for the pictures! I've been meaning to get around to making some of my own but hadn't had the chance. That website is much appreciated!
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Thanks for the link Angie!
For my spirited boy, apart from those activities mentioned, he enjoys reading too.
In the morning, I'll sit him on my lap and read the headlines from the newspaper. He'll be "eating" his hands with eyes on the papers.
In the afternoon, I'll read storybook (simple sentences & huge pictures) to him (lying on my back with him and holding the book up for him). He'll respond "verbally" as I read & his eyes looking at the pages.
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Eloise is spirited and she loves looking out of the window, lights of any kind - especially the spot lights in the kitchen and bathroom, and mirrors. Bath time is a complete joy - especially dripping water on to her belly - we have a seat so she is well supported and it leaves my hands free to play with her and wash her. I have just started doing tummy time and rolling her and as long as it doesnt go on for too long she smiles alot.
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I'm looking for recommendations on a video or book to learn how to do baby massage correctly. Any suggestions?
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We like to sit our lo in her swing (not moving) and show her different toys, pictures, etc. She also like to watch us stick out out tongue. She even mimics us. It is too cute. She loves watching us make silly faces and talks to us in approval (she is 9 weeks old). She love to be placed in her crib and shown toys. I think she likes the freedom of being able to kick her legs and move her arms all about. She also does really well sitting in her infant seat and just looking at her toys or staring at a near by fan or light. She enjoys her alone time.
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wrist rattles are a great idea and my 7 week old absolutely loves them! But you can't beat the outdoors. my LO seems to get "bored" easily with an activity (tummy time, nappy off kicking etc) But will lay in his pram for over an hour watching the trees and shadows..
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Pompoms! What an awesome idea! What about kind of a homemade mobile, by tying them to the bars of an activity gym?
Heather
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my 5 weeks old boy iks not very interested in activities yet, is this ok? he does tummy time everyday and i sing to him but he doesn't seem too engaged yet, when should i expect more of a response from him?
any suggestions
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i was wondering about that also. my little trebor real cannot stay awake after eating at barely 3-weeks. but while reading in the book i was not sure when he should be staying awake. i have been putting him in his swing for a bit to keep him upright and reduce spit up, but is that enough? we talk to him often and put the swing at a level where he can see our faces. but i still feel like i don't do enough. part of it may be the constant naps i take. any advice is welcome
mom e rose
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It is pretty normal for small babies to fall asleep while or shortly after feeding and to be able to stay awake for longer periods as they get older. At that age, I would sing to my lo when she was awake or lie her on a blanket where she could see shadows on the wall. She was certainly too little for the baby gym, which just overwhelmed her. My grandmother tells me that she used to sit her babies outside under the washing line so that they could watch the clothes moving in the breeze when they were too small for any "proper" games or activities and that this occupied them for some time.
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For a change of something to look at, I'll tie or tape wadded up tin foil to Jasper's mobile on his swing. it catches the light and he really likes it. It looks really tacky, though, so be prepared for wierd looks from friends when they see it.
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These are great ideas, thanks everyone.
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I didn't get anything out of Cael for about 2.5 months so don't worry about response, C was also sleeping and eating but I kept him up betweem so I didn't feed to sleep. I would talk and sing to him, let him play on his gym,nothing too intense but he has always loved bubbles :)
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Hi, I just wanted to compare what other moms are doing with their babies of the same age. I need some new ideas....
Here is what my little guy enjoys:
-laying on back under baby gym
-laying on tummy on blankets in living room
-hanging out in rocker/bouncy chair while we make dinner, watch tv, etc.
-laying in crib watching mobile or his Ocean Wonders aquarium (this is great for putting him to sleep too!)
-being carried away either facing out or up so he can look around
-propped up on boppy pillow
-laying against daddy's knees that are up while he lays on the couch
And usually when he is doing any of these we are constantly talking/playing with him too. He really likes it when you repeat the sounds he makes.
Let me know what your little one likes/liked at this age!
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My son is 10 months old now, but we started reading books around 2 months old. He really liked looking at the pictures and listening to me read. Now, he LOVES books and will sit and read for quite some time.
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My 8-week-old has recently started holding her head up, so I place her in the Baby Bjorn, facing outward, and go about my chores. She LOVES it. If I sit for so much as a minute she begins to fuss, preferring to be walked around the house as I put away dishes, go through the mail, etc.
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I was wondering what to do exactly with the black and white pictures - do you just hold them for a few minutes for them to look at?? I would post them on the walls near is crib, but I was wondering if it would be too stimulating for nap/bed time?
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I would see what your LO does. If you LO appears overstimulated by it or can't fall asleep b/c they're looking at the pics, I would move them. I think the intent is to hold them in front of them during A time to look at.
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Thanks, that's what I thought - but it seems funny to just hold a piece of paper in front of him? I assume I should hold it in front of him until he is bored or looks away??
I always feel a bit odd "playing" with my 11 week old. He is smiling and responding a bit, but I'm never sure if what I'm doing is "right" I sing to him, show him toys, put him under his gym but I wonder if i'm doing enough? I feel bad just letting him be on his own and always feel compelled to 'entertain' him although I know he has to learn to play on his own this seems a bit early to just leave him?
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It does feel kind of funny to be "playing" with them at that age. I never did much with the pictures myself. Entertainment to them at this age is singing a song, changing their diaper, just making faces at them. Sounds to me like you're doing enough, especially if you're getting him to smile and respond to you. My younger dd will be 4 months old in about a week and a half and she spends whole lot of time just lying around looking at things. I move her around from her playmat to her bouncy seat to her bumbo, just for some different perspective on things, but if she's content just laying there and looking at things I don't bother her. :)
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Thanks for the link I've saved them to my pc and put them on slideshow, my LO loves looking at them ;D
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Can someone please tell me what tummy time is? I'd love to give it a go.
Mum to 3 week old Bethan
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Place your baby on his tummy a few times a day for him to get used to it and build up the muscles it will take to eventually roll over. I put my LO on his tummy and arrange his arms so that he is able to push himself up if he wants to. At 3 weeks he likely won't yet though. As soon as he starts to complain I put him back on his back. Before I do it I let him know that I'm going to put him on his tummy and when he doesn't want to be there anymore I'll flip him back over. Hope this helps!
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Hi all my lo loves nappy off, mammy or daddy chattin to her and anything that moves and makes noise eg toy mobile. From reading d posts pretty much d same as most.
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Thanks for these ideas! We've been wondering what on earth we can do apart from singing.
I'm going to make much more use of this site in future! :)
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I tried to click on the link that you have mentioned about the stimulation pictures, but the link is not recognised. how do i get the pics you have been talking about on this forum?
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My 4 week old really enjoys singing or just being talked to. I have tried reading to him and he seems to enjoy it. I will read anything, the newspaper, a book I am reading, etc. He seems to enjoy the sound of my voice??
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Hi there ,
I would love to print off some black and white images for my dd, I found it difficult to find any so was delighted to see this link, however the link given:
http://www.envisagedesign.com/ohbaby/infstim/graphics.html
does not seem to work for me.
Just wondering is there any other way to get those images?
Many thanks
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Hello Everyone
Here is another link for black and white images for you to print off :)
http://baby.zorger.com/baby.zorger.com.newborn.pdf
Hope that helps
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Thanks very much babypixie.
Just printing them off as I type,
Thanks again.
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thanks so much for the link, i was hoping someone would post it again :)
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I hung some toys that were meant for the baby carrier over the changing table, and drew some pictures in black and white and taped them to the wall. DS loves them; he "talks" to the toys (which have bells in them, so if he waves his hands and they hit the toys, his eyes open so wide and he smiles and squeals!) and could look at the pictures for hours. I draw a new picture every week or so. Sometimes I show him his stuffed animals while he lies there.
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Hi.
My 7 week old loves looking at balloons if i hag them somewhere above her. I loved the idea of hanging a tin foil in her visual range. I'll check it out tomorrow.
Angela
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thanks for the second link - it's great! i just posted some of the pages in my ds's room and also in our home office where he hangs out with my hubby and i while we work! =)
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Hello Everyone
Here is another link for black and white images for you to print off :)
http://baby.zorger.com/baby.zorger.com.newborn.pdf
Hope that helps
THANKS for the great link !!!
All I need now is some more ink for the printer
;D ;D ;D ;D
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Your baby doesn't need a lot of toys at this stage - just make sure that the toys you choose are stimulating and can lead to learning. Toys that develop his senses are popular - squeaky, rustling soft toys that are graspable (and safe to put in his mouth) and are in highly contrasting colours are great.
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Hello Everyone
Here is another link for black and white images for you to print off :)
http://baby.zorger.com/baby.zorger.com.newborn.pdf
Hope that helps
Thanks a lot!
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I keep meaning to put the black and white mobile we got before our LO was born up above the changing table - but he actually loves looking at the curtains!
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Some great ideas here. When we lay b down for tummy time he likes being undressed and on soft blankets. He lover the mirror too. At 7wk he doesnt do much but that is good at this age, better than crying!