A child’s development and ways to enhance it is always a hot topic amongst mothers. One can never start early enough. The initial years of a child especially are crucial for determining how much progress they make in terms of mental, physical, and emotional aspects. Spending one-on-one time with them is an ideal way to influence overall development. However, if you struggle to find effective yet fun ways to have stimulating activities, don’t despair! Here are some compelling ways to have ‘mommy-and-me’ time with your little one.
Sensory Play
A baby’s senses perhaps play the most essential role when it comes to learning and development. Including a variety of sensory play activities is thus an effective way to stimulate their senses and enhance their cognitive abilities.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. You can make use of everyday household items. Encourage your child to explore different things, such as fruits, vegetables, toys, or fabrics, with their hands. Let them make use of other senses along with touch, like seeing, hearing, smelling, and tasting, as long as it is not harmful to do so. It helps enhance their coordination and motor skills significantly. Another great way is to make use of non-toxic play dough to feel the textures and let their creativity flow.
Music and Movement
Music is relaxing and entertaining for babies of all ages. In fact, most babies love hearing their favorite songs and rhymes over and over again. It is ideal for improving hearing and enhancing language development. An excellent way to have quality time with your baby is to play a musical instrument or sing a song to them. It creates happy memories and associations for your baby and helps them bond with you. Let your little one hear different types of jingles and genres and observe which ones they like best. Introduce them to age-appropriate musical toys that are enjoyable and educational at the same time.
Baby Massage
Babies easily recognize your touch, even if they are just a few months old. It is the first bonding experience that they have with their parents and other close ones. It is widely known that massaging your baby improves their motor abilities and strengthens their muscles along with relaxing them.
Softly stroke their arms and legs before bath or sleeping. Use simple circular motions or gentle kneading to promote blood circulation and help them calm down. Babies who are colic or teething can especially feel much better after a good massage time. Be sure to use safe and non-toxic baby oils or lotions only for massage.
Story Time
Children absolutely love to hear and read stories while growing up. It boosts their imagination and thinking abilities. You can assist your child in developing the habit of reading by first letting them hear fairy tales and bedtime stories from you. Invest in some colorful storybooks that are vibrant to look at and also come with moral or educational lessons. Point things out to them in books, speak the names, and let them communicate to you in return. Flipping the pages and feeling textures-based books is great for younger children. Over time they will learn to appreciate the habit of reading and have better linguistics capabilities.
Baby Sign Language
Your baby may not be of the age to speak coherently yet, but they do have their own little ways to respond to you and express themselves. In fact, most babies want to communicate with you but are struggling to do so because of an apparent lack of communicative ability. Teaching them baby sign language thus helps them with this issue and is also interactive to learn. Pick some common words to know in signs such as ‘mom,’ ‘dad,’ ‘water,’ and ‘milk’ and use them with your baby. As they grow older and gradually learn to speak, sign language will help them make better associations and communicate their needs. There are many online resources, books, or groups that can guide you in making proper use of baby sign language.
Baby Yoga
Yoga is not only for adults. Babies can benefit a lot from yoga. It is an ideal way to improve flexibility and enhance coordination or balance. Baby yoga makes use of simple exercises like stretching and specific massages that support your little one’s physical growth. It can also significantly improve the quality of their sleep and help them relax. Not to forget, it can be loads of fun and an excellent approach for strengthening your bond with your baby. Check out some of these online videos on baby yoga that will assist you along the way.
Water Play
Let your little one beat the heat this summer by having fun in the water. Infants adore splashing around in the water or playing with their toys in the bathtub. It can be a wonderful sensory time for them. You can further elevate the experience by providing them with cups or safe floating toys to explore their hand-eye coordination. However, for safety purposes, be sure that you or another adult is always present when your child is in the water. Discover more ways to make bath time a learning and playful experience for your baby.
Nature Walks
Nature teaches us a lot. It is full of sensory experiences that tantalize all of our senses. Make sure you spend ample time outdoors, exploring nature with your baby. Take them to a nearby park, let their feet touch the grass, and encourage them to hold leaves and smell different flowers. Babies also have an enjoyable time watching birds and squirrels and hearing other sounds in nature. Pique their curiosities and allow them to have these baby adventures. It can benefit their mental and physical health immensely, as well as yours.