Tips to play with your baby

Finding ways to play with your baby can often seem awkward and difficult, especially when dealing with newborns. So here’s an article to help all the new parents out there bond over some playtime with their special little baby.

Newborns seem to us like small, fragile little things. They do not speak, they gurgle and squeal. They cannot walk, they crawl and wiggle around their parents. Playing with babies is a different ball game altogether than when dealing with full-grown kids. So if you are wondering how to have good, safe fun with your babies, read on to find out some tried and tested ways to do so.

Make funny faces

Studies and observations show that babies love to look at things. In fact, a 2 – 3 month old baby will stare at his parent’s face and will not be able to look away until it moves. Infants 4 months or older will look longer and more intently at objects that are new or familiar objects that have changed. Hence, the funny face. Pulling your ears, crinkling your eyes and changing your mouth shape will change your familiar features completely. Babies will undoubtedly give their full attention to something so fascinating. It’s a fun exercise for both the parent and child!

Buy simple toys

At a very young stage in life, babies are coming to terms with their five senses. Get bright coloured toys for your baby to marvel at. Get toys with different textures and with handles for your baby to grasp and feel. Get toys that play lullabies or talk and your baby will try to interact back. Invest in a nice cot mobile and watch your baby stare at the spinning models for ages. It does not take much to satisfy a baby, simply choose toys that require the interaction of the basic senses and you are good to go.

Play in the tub

A great venue to have play time is in the bath. To be surrounded by a body of water is a new and exciting experience. Make sure to splash water across his body and allow the baby to explore the texture and feel of water. Bonus points for parents who bring in a rubber ducky to join in the fun!

Sing and talk to your baby

Babies react well to the sound of their parents’ voice and singing to them (no matter how bad you think it sounds) will make your baby calm and happy. Babies yearn for intellectual and emotional development, start reading to them very early in life and they will long to hear the sound of your voice reading to them in the evenings. Even if they do not understand the words, they will pick up on your tone, intonation and voice. It’s not only fun but it’s educational as well.

Ultimately, your children will behave and react differently to you at various stages of their lives. At a very young stage, they look to you as nurturers, protectors, and sources of happiness. It falls upon you to make sure your baby is comfortable, safe and happy. So follow the above tips and make sure to spend quality time with them, interacting and playing. To our readers out there, what other ways do you play with your babies?

Written by

Felicia Chin

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