Activities with the Little One

Children don't need more things. The best toys a child can have are parents who get down on the floor and play with them. - Bruce Perry

Babies are definitely fascinated by the world around them. As a first time Mommy, seeing the world from Bliss Giane's lens instead of mine is challenging, but important. That is why I make sure to be part of her daily activities and observe her behavior. It is so entertaining that I am also learning important things about the world around me!

Below are just few simple ways we play with Giane to increase her brain and social development:

Tickle
Do you know your baby’s ticklish spots? This activity is a fun way to get Giane giggling! A very simple game to teach her to read our signs and anticipate the tickle - which is even more fun. We make large hand motions to slowly and gently move to tickle her tummy and cheeks - her favourite tickle spot. Of course, this all leads up to the timeless raspberry. (which I love doing to her!) Don’t know what a raspberry is? It’s simple. Place your mouth against your baby’s belly or cheek, and blow. You’ll have to blow hard enough to ripple the skin with the air from your mouth. 

Facing Off 

Studies have shown that babies recognize and remember faces better than adults do (Source: Baby Centre). I can say that aside from tickling moments, this is her favorite activity -  with mirrors. I see how fascinated she could be seeing my different expressions and even seeing her own face! She responds easily, giggles a lot!

Talking

Talking to Giane as I walk around the house or even while changing her nappy. Explaining what she sees in detailed way (the color, the shape, the name), describing what I am doing, pointing things out and even singing songs.

Bulaga!!!

We play bulaga with Giane a lot. We play by covering her face with our hands and then saying “peekaboo” or “bulaga”. Or singing "Where is Giane?" while her face is covered with light cloth and "There's she is!" when uncovering the face.

Reading
We read books to Giane, pointing to the pictures as we read and engaging her by changing our voice for different characters. We let her participate by touching the pictures and turning the pages.

Sit-Ups
Since she has a good head control, we lay her on her back, place our hands under her arms, and gently guide her into a sitting position. As she gains muscle tones and strength, we do these sit-ups by holding her hands and slowly bringing her to sit.

Hand Shadow

We usually play this lying on the bed and shine a flashlight at the ceiling. We make small actions by moving our hands or fingers. Even as we take walks, Giane is so amazed to see her own/our shadows. The contrast between light and dark will really pique our baby's interest, and it's important to encourage those new skills by stimulating our baby.

Flying
I could say this is Giane's ultimate favourite!
Neo gently lift her up and move her up, down, back, and forth, like a rocket jetting into space. For extra giggles, we add sound effects. Giane likes the element of surprise and learn through it.

Our love, time, undivided attention and touch are the most important parts of her developmental activities. You’ll find many cheap ways to have fun with your babies that are guaranteed to make their day! Remember that it is the small and simple stuff that make the biggest and heartwarming impressions.

Now a days, it seems like automatic for Giane to smile every time she sees me and her DaddyNeo and she started to respond to her name when she was 4 months old. Heaven!

Enjoying every bit of it.