Games to help your baby learn
Whether your baby is building a block tower or listening to your voice, he’s constantly learning something new. Everything he sees, smells, feels, and hears is something to be explored and discovered. Engage his natural curiosities with different types of play.
Brain builders
As your baby checks out the exciting world around him, he’s building connections in his brain that will grow even more complex the older he gets. Be a part of this experience with these activities:
All by hand. Any toy that lets your baby use his hands in different ways builds his fine-motor skills. Games or toys that let your baby push, pull, or twist something let him practice using his fingers in a new way while controlling his arm muscles.
Water works. Bath time together is a chance for you to teach your baby how water changes things. Give him a dry, clean sponge to hold and then put it into the water. Let him feel how the texture and weight have changed. Help your baby squeeze the sponge so the water comes out. Also give him bath toys that float. He can push the toys into the water and watch them pop back up to the top.
Bookworm. Your baby isn’t reading yet, but books are a big part of his learning. He hears you read the words and looks at the pictures. Eventually he’ll put the two together. But for now it’s all about hearing the sounds that will form his words someday. Find books that have textures or shapes to further engage your baby’s attention.
Play ball! Pushing a ball around lets your baby focus his eyes, use his muscles, and practice his coordination. Use a soft, spongy, colorful ball and roll it to him when he’s seated. Encourage him to roll it back. He may just pick it up or pat it, but eventually he’ll learn to make it roll.
Hide and seek. About now your baby is learning that things exist even when he can’t see them. Try playing peek-a-boo or hiding a toy under the blanket. Your little one will be thrilled when he finds his hiding toy!
