Games that stimulate your newborn
Did you know that newborns need brain stimulation and learning games?
These activities are basic, fun and very important for your baby's brain!
Some of these activities will also seem very obvious, you are probably already doing them, but isn't it nice to feel, at least occasionally, that the things you do instinctively make you an expert? Sometimes couples can feel a little left out in the newborn phase, especially if you're breastfeeding, but these are all activities where your partner can play head coach or take advantage of some bonding time while you sleep! snap!
Tummy time: A few minutes of supervised time on a play mat on the floor on your tummy. Place a black and white toy or a couple of colored blocks in a position where your baby can look at them. Note: You must closely supervise tummy time, babies can become stuck on their stomach and, especially if they are tired, they will not be able to move their head or cry. Tummy time is great crawling training and gives your baby a chance to kick those legs and lift that head.
Hugs and kisses: Holding and rocking your baby, singing a song, kissing him, and talking to him are stimulating ways to let him know that you are a safe person to be with.
Have a conversation: Talking to your baby helps him develop an ear for language, understand your tones, and try to encourage him to respond to you. It doesn't matter what he says, just be warm and attractive, show him his house, his room, tell him that you are changing his diaper because he peed, or that it's bath time...
Music: Babies love music and it doesn't have to be "kids music" - research has shown that listening to a variety of music is great for little brains. Try listening to calmer, more relaxing music during periods when your baby is feeding or getting a little tired, and faster-paced music when your baby is playing or has a lot of energy.
Eye tracking: Hold an object in your hand that is easy for your baby to see. Newborns don't have great eyesight: hold it less than 20cm from your baby's face. Slowly move the object from one side of your baby's face to the other, give him time to follow the object with his eyes, and then come back. “Tracking” objects with your eyes is good training for little eyes that need practice moving together and focusing on objects, but it is very tiring. Just do this for a few minutes and then move on to something less stimulating.
Making faces: By eight weeks old, a baby can distinguish the features of a face, and babies love looking at faces! Hold your baby on your lap and practice making faces where the baby can focus on different areas of his or her face (e.g., smile and stick out tongue, open mouth wide and raise eyebrows, blink)
Tactile stimulation: Expose baby to different tactile sensations by rubbing baby's hand or arm with different materials, for example satin or wool. There are also many books designed for babies that feature different "soft" fabrics that you can gently touch with your baby's hand. You can also lay the baby on the grass so he can feel the texture of the grass with his feet, or lying with his bare legs on a fluffy towel or mat will be a stimulating experience for him.
Try it and tell us your experience!