Babies are born scientists. From birth, they begin taking in information and exploring their environment. Numerous studies demonstrate their remarkable development over their first three years; experiences and interactions during those crucial early months having lasting impacts on thought processes, feelings and overall well-being of these youngsters. There are fun activities you can engage your baby (even newborns!) in that will support learning and brain growth.
Here is a selection of 9 simple learning activities designed to stimulate baby’s brain development, nurture curiosity and increase happiness.
Reading Time
The importance of reading cannot be overemphasized; reading is integral for young children’s cognitive and linguistic development, providing numerous advantages ranging from improved concentration skills and memory development, increased vocabulary development and even academic performance! There are so many activities you can incorporate into reading time that will enhance this experience for both you and your little one!
- Word and Letter Focus As you read slowly and point to each word as it’s read aloud, do this throughout the book in order to reinforce the relationship between what they see visually as words, letters and sounds are heard audibly by baby.
- Exploring Pictures
Browse each page carefully, pointing out objects and images within them, inviting your child to do the same and identify objects and images he sees on each one. Focusing on one concept (i.e. pointing out all red objects throughout a book) to explore and extend this activity is another great way to extend and enrich its activity. - Play with Tone
Add variety to reading time by playing around with tones, volumes and voices in reading sessions for maximum cognitive development as well as increased attention span and listening focus. Be sure to incorporate sound effects that accentuate pictures for added fun!
Related Activity for 6-Month Old Babies: Engaging Baby’s Development
Music Time
We know the benefits of introducing music early to babies are numerous; their minds and bodies become preprogrammed to embrace melodies and rhythms as soon as they enter this world. Here are a few ways you can explore music with your little one:
- Transform household products into musical instruments
You can make recycled coffee canisters and plastic bottles into shakers and drums by filling the bottles with paper clips, rice grains or beans (just be sure to secure their lid tightly) that produce interesting sounds (glue lid on tightly). Get kids involved by encouraging them to use hands, spoons or rattles against coffee (or formula) cans as beatmakers! - Sing-Alongs Babies don’t care whether the pitch of your singing is perfect; all they want to hear is sound! Nursery rhymes and classic children songs engage little ones immediately through their simple melodies while supporting language comprehension through repetition and rhymes. Teaching babies basic hand movements allows them to participate even before their verbal capabilities allow it.
- Listening to Music
Introduce an array of playlists as background noise, exploring diverse genres such as jazz, bluegrass and reggae music. Enjoy moving and grooving to it or try pausing the music for an “ice dance.” Pausing allows participants to develop listening abilities as well as muscle control by pausing music at particular intervals to strengthen these capabilities and practice muscle control skills.
Related Article: 5 Easy Baby Development Games to Enjoy Together (And Have Fun too)
Guided sensory exploration Babies have the natural urge to discover their surroundings. Here are a few strategies for providing engaging opportunities for exploration:
- Get Baby Exploring Common Objects
In a large container, basket or bag, create an assortment of everyday objects for baby to explore with different tactile sensations – fuzzy socks, wooden blocks, soft balls and old remote controls can all provide stimulating tactile input for infants! Objects with differing weight, sizes and textures provide stimulating opportunities. - Engage Baby With Nature
A walk or stroll in nature can be extremely stimulating to young minds, while for indoor play activities you could fill a basket with objects from nature that share one color or texture (such as pinecones, stones and seashells), soft objects of similar hue or similar texture or soft toys of all sorts such as pinecones or seashells or various soft toys – to name but a few ideas! - Engage in Water Play
Water can be an irresistibly engaging element for children of all ages! Set out a large blanket or towel on the floor and fill plastic containers with various amounts of water; using basic items like spoons, droppers or water bottles to pour water from one container to the next is instantly entertaining while touching, splashing and moving water around is equally appealing to little ones – adding excitement with every transfer between containers as they learn new ways of moving it around!
An extra moment spent appreciating even seemingly minor moments of discovery and play can open up new ideas for engaging your baby with actual activities. Like adults, babies want to feel engaged, stimulated, and connected to their world–making each moment an opportunity for growth for you both!