Activities for This Week

I'm going to start posting new activities that we are trying with Jack. I've been finding some great ideas on babycenter.com. For this week:

Ready, Steady, Go

Though your baby is probably still a few months away from sitting up or crawling, there are activities you can do now that help prepare him for those achievements down the line.

Appropriate for: 4 to 7 months
Skills developed: Motor, balance
What you'll need: No equipment necessary

Even before your baby learns to sit on his own or crawl, he'll show an interest in getting around. You can help him start to develop the skills he'll need to move with a few easy exercises. For sitting, improve his stability by propping him upright with his knees out and his heels near his bottom, so that his legs form a diamond. Expect him to tip, especially at first, but encourage his efforts to hone his balance. For crawling, place him on his tummy and press the palms of your hands against the soles of his feet. As he pushes against your hands (perhaps by accident at first), he'll move forward – more and more, as he learns the consequences of his actions. If he's already up on all fours and rocking back and forth, encourage him to crawl by holding or placing favorite objects just beyond his reach.
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Ups and Downs

Your baby probably won't learn to sit up for several more months, but as her back and neck grow stronger, she's ready to practice. (As you may have noticed, she's also eager to see the world from a more upright angle.)

Appropriate for: 3 to 6 months
Skills developed: Gross motor coordination
What you'll need: No equipment necessary

Lay your baby on her back, propped up slightly on a pillow. Sit facing her and grasp her hands firmly. Gently pull her to a sitting position, letting her head follow her shoulders, and enjoy her expression as she sees the world from this new angle. Gently lower her and repeat as long as she's having fun. As your baby gets used to this game, keep her sitting up a little longer and sing a chorus of "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore" or "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," alternately pulling each of her arms in a rowing motion before lowering her back onto the pillow.


Text from: babycenter.com