Entertain The Baby With The Game
When we look at a newborn, we see a helpless human being who depends on us. In some ways, it may seem that they are only interested in sleeping, eating, and going to the toilet. But for the little one, spending time looking at their parents’ faces is the first form of play. In fact, entertaining the baby with play is essential to stimulate the senses.
Once you return home with your little bundle in your arms, you may be wondering how to spend time together. Her little body seems so delicate that any movement or play appears too abrupt.
However, there are several ways to entertain the newborn; the most important thing is to show him the world around him.
Why is it important to entertain the baby with play?
In its first month of life, the baby faces the new existence as a novelty; it depends on the parents and performs movements such as reflex acts. Playing together, in addition to being a way to show him the world around him, is essential for building a sense of trust and security.
The games help him to study facial expressions, to imitate them later, and to distinguish alarm sounds from reassuring ones. In addition, physical contact with parents makes him feel safe.
For many experts, the socio-affective aspect is the most important at this stage. The child establishes a bond with all those who care for him, although he prefers the mother to comfort and nurture him and for the father to play with him. Therefore, play favors contact and emotional development.
Ideas for entertaining the baby with play
The games that can be played with a newborn depend on its development in different areas, such as the sensory-motor, cognitive, linguistic and socio-affective. During the first month, the movements of the legs, arms and hands are reflex acts. The child can lift his head slightly, turn it to the side and keep it straight in line with his back.
Cognitively, the gaze and facial expressions are vague and indirect, he remembers objects, cries for help, expects to be fed, and stops crying when picked up or sees familiar faces.
Regarding speech development, she emits reflex and unintentional vocalizations, cries to express hunger, sleep, discomfort or pain and is frightened by loud and sudden noises.
With regard to socio-affective development, however, his reactions respond to internal stimuli. He distinguishes the human voice (especially his mother’s) and calms down when someone speaks to him in a sweet, rhythmic voice. It also tends to calm down when, once picked up, it turns its head in search of the sound source.
Move the limbs of the newborn
Bring the baby’s arms and legs up and down. Open and close them, fold them and stretch them gently 5 – 6 times.
Another recommended exercise during a bath is to gently rotate your feet and hands. Hold him with one hand and move his joints with the other, except the knees. Follow this order: shoulder, elbow, wrists, fingers, hips, ankles, and so on, from top to bottom.
Help him concentrate
Stand in front of him so that he can look at you. Make small movements with your head, first on one side and then on the other, sing or do something fun to help him concentrate.
You can also take it to a dark place and bring it back to light after a few seconds to show it the difference between day and night, light and dark.
Show him the different forms of communication
In front of the child, make gestures with the mouth, eyes, nose or eyebrows. This way he will learn to recognize facial expressions such as joy, sadness, anger, contempt or hunger.
You can also do this while you sing. If he starts to stammer, respond, so that he learns that it is a form of oral communication-
Show affection
Pick up the baby and hold him to your chest, hug him, have him lie down next to you, dance with him so that he feels physical contact and perceives affection through body language.
Other ways to entertain your baby with play
There are other ways to play with your baby and all of them are equally useful for promoting development. Here are some ideas:
- Sing : Choose a song and sing it often to the child. Familiar and repetitive sounds have the ability to calm the baby when he is agitated.
- Toys : Although he is still small, you can buy some toys that catch his eye or that he can follow with his gaze. This is why merry-go-rounds and rattles are very important at this stage of life.
- Reading fairy tales: Just like singing, reading a story every night, using different tones of voice, will help him relax.
Playing with the baby is equivalent to teaching them what their world is like
The activities presented in this article are necessary to show the baby what the world is like. Spend some time with your children showing them the home and their surroundings while they are having fun.
