Read this nursery rhyme making all the noises – eg. squeak like a mouse
Bow-wow says the dog
Miaw says the cat
Mooo says the cow
Squeak says the mouse
Cheep cheep says the sparrow
Caw caw says the crow
Quack quack says the duck
And . . what the cuckoo says . .
You know! Cuckoo, cuckoo
You'll be surprised at how young babies will stare and listen to this jingle with its wonderful range of sounds.
Rhyming games are great for giving an early notion of order — important for learning later in life. Sing if you can – you'll be giving repetition, rhythm and order:
Humpty Dumpty
Sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty
Had a great fall
All the kings horses
And all the kings men
Couldn't put humpty
Together again
Let your baby grip your fingers often when feeding and in play.
A baby needs to exercise her hand — natural for breast-feeding babies — otherwise she may become fretful.
Baby said as she smelled the rose
"oh what a pity I've only one nose!"
Baby said as she smelled the snuff
"oh! Ah-choo! One nose is enough"
When your baby is awake for longer periods – place her face down on a sheet spread over the floor for a little part of her playtime.
VOILA! – a ready made simply and easy fun 'gym' – for your baby to strengthen movements.
For amusement between sleeps tuck some patterned paper or pictures into the sides of the pram or cradle.
Looking & struggling to see is entertainment for a young baby
Change the pictures when she stops staring at them.
In good weather place her pram under a tree branch gently swaying in the wind or even near the washing line, so she can watch the clothes sway.
The jumping jack knows how to jump
And how to land without a thump
He feels so light and jumps so high
If I let go he'll touch the sky
Gentle, soft and warm words will soothe a baby (cooing).
So will snuggling a baby next to your skin, tucked under your chin.
When your baby stirs for food
turn her on her back
look into his/her eyes
talk softly
give her a chance to recall surroundings and who you are
Once fed & winded lay your baby on your lap and very gently stroke
hands
feet
face
Talk gently – even chat to other people as long as you continue looking at your baby.
Watch her stare of "astonished concentration". It's a big new world out there.
remember
A crying baby could be a bored baby — try these little games:
Ten little fingers
Ten little toes
Two little eyes
But only one nose
Do gentle little touches as you talk/sing through the rhyme:
Water on my tum tum
Water on my toes
Water on my arms and legs
And even on my nose
