News Letter Oct-Nov 2012 - Parents Centres New Zealand Inc

Playing with Newborns
Many new parents wonder, “What does the baby
want to play?” The answer is, most of the time,
your baby wants to play games with YOU!
Fun Foot Baby Games – Newborn babies have a
stepping reflex that is fun to play with. Hold your
baby under the arms (grasping around the chest
firmly - not cranking on delicate shoulder joints)
and “stand” him in an upright position on the floor.
When the baby’s foot touches the ground he’ll lift
it up, lowering the other foot as though walking.
This baby reflex fades after about two months so
enjoy the baby game while it lasts.
Hand Baby Games – Newborns have a strong grasp
reflex and love to play hand games. Lay your baby
on her back (floor or lap), and let her grasp your
fingers. Lift her arms gently, describing your motions
in sing-song voice, “Up, Down. In, Out”. She
loves your higher-pitched voice. She’ll begin to associate
the word with the motion as you play variations
of this game over the next several months.
Voice Game Fun – Your baby recognises your voice
and prefers your voice over strangers. This makes
for fun baby games. Call your baby from his right,
or left and watch him turn his head to look at you.
Talk to your baby about your daily life, describing
your actions, “Now Mummy is washing dirty socks.
One sock.....two sock....” It’s not important what
you say – just that you spend time talking to them.
Movement Baby Games – This is a great game to
play with your baby to help them get used to being
on their back and stomach. Start baby on her back
and chant through this rhythm as you do the motions:
“Rub a baby belly – pat, pat, pat. Rub a baby
belly – just like that!” Then roll the baby over gently
onto her belly. “Rrrooooooll over baby!” “ Rub a
baby back – pat, pat, pat....” etc. Once your baby
learns what is coming next she will anticipate the
exaggerated “Rrrooooooll Over!”.
Baby Sound Games – Babies are masters at making
“impolite” noises. And what fun it is to play along!
Your baby is a great excuse to blow bubbles, make
raspberries, kissy-noises and lip buzzes. He will
delight in trying to mimic you as you both explore
the variety of noises and expressions you can make
together.
Floor Time Baby Games – Belly time is an important
precursor to crawling, helps develop back
muscles used in sitting and walking as well as helping
to prevent flat spots from too much time spent
on the back. Lie down on the floor in front of your
baby and encourage her to look at you. “Peek a
Boo” becomes a fun exercise game as she lifts her
head to look at you. (Note: Always put your baby
to sleep on her back – play this game during awake
times.)
Singing Baby Games – You baby enjoys hearing
you sing personalised familiar songs is easy. For
example – “Rain, Rain Go Away” became “Evan, I
love you. I really, really love you. Every day – night
and day. Evan, Mumma loves you.” Even as a nearly
three year old toddler, this song never fails to bring
a smile to his face because the repetition of this
singing game has made it so familiar to him.
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CENTRAL AUCKLAND PARENTS CENTRE