So last week I decided to make use of the time I have left before going back to work by going through a pack of baby games cards and I challenged myself to do 10.
1 - Body games - in front of a mirror ask 'where's your tummy', and point and say then move onto another body part. Sing heads, shoulders, knees and toes.
This one we do quite a bit anyway, but I have sung the song at him every day. He grins and sometimes trys to pat his head but whether that's accident or design I'm not sure!
2- Paint hand prints onto some paper using non-toxic paint.
At Mum's and Toddlers on Tuesday they were doing painting hand prints and so although he wasn't doing the activity with me as my Dad took him along, he had fun getting painty and Mum and Dad have his artwork!
3 - Pointing can be encouraged by finding lots of things for baby to point at. Read a book and point at the pictures and begin asking where items are.
This one has been fun. We do read books quite a bit, but I've not been pointing before and I think this activity has helped as he's looking where I'm pointing rather than at my finger now!!
4 - Ball games - roll a ball back and forth between you. Lift baby to a standing position and swing him to 'kick' the ball. Line up bottles and boxes and roll the ball like a game of skittles.
I have to say, we didn't have a ball that was the right size until this week when we went out for the day in Bourton on the Water! They had a lovely toy shop for boys and lo and behold, his first football! It's just the right size for him to kick, and catch (well, hug) and he seems to be enjoying it!
5 - Help babies curiosity by putting some small objects in a pillowcase to find. Use noisy toys such as jingly toys, rattles, clattering spoons and rustly paper.
We tried this one but it didn't seem to inspire much. I think Joel's getting to the point of just wanting to be extra active at the moment and sitting quietly isn't on his to do list this week!
6 - Make a postbox from a cardboard box with a slit and let baby post household objects.
This kept him entertained for quite a while. He had some plastic blocks for Christmas from his Aunty Louise and Uncle Nick and they're perfect for posting into the hole! Along with various other things he finds such as remotes and spoons!
7 - Make a photo gallery and go through it with baby to identify family members.
We have been going through the photo albums and showing him family folk, but he prefers skype!!
8 - Crawling games - have fun crawling with your baby and race each other to encourage your baby to keep up.
One of his favourite games at the moment, as discovered by his Daddy, is chasing him making roaring noises! We crawl along and he giggles away, and commando crawls very fast looking over his shoulder to see how far we are behind, and then waits to be pounced upon for tickling!!!
9 - Play tent - peg a blanket over the backs of two chairs and let baby explore the space inside.
These last two I have to admit are currently outstanding and will be added to next weeks list as we had family up for half of half term so we couldn't do the original plans as we were being hospitable!!
10 - Go fishing. If baby likes to drop things for you to collect and pass back. Try attaching objects to baby's high chair with elastic and show him how to pull them back up again.
1 - Body games - in front of a mirror ask 'where's your tummy', and point and say then move onto another body part. Sing heads, shoulders, knees and toes.
This one we do quite a bit anyway, but I have sung the song at him every day. He grins and sometimes trys to pat his head but whether that's accident or design I'm not sure!
2- Paint hand prints onto some paper using non-toxic paint.
At Mum's and Toddlers on Tuesday they were doing painting hand prints and so although he wasn't doing the activity with me as my Dad took him along, he had fun getting painty and Mum and Dad have his artwork!
3 - Pointing can be encouraged by finding lots of things for baby to point at. Read a book and point at the pictures and begin asking where items are.
This one has been fun. We do read books quite a bit, but I've not been pointing before and I think this activity has helped as he's looking where I'm pointing rather than at my finger now!!
4 - Ball games - roll a ball back and forth between you. Lift baby to a standing position and swing him to 'kick' the ball. Line up bottles and boxes and roll the ball like a game of skittles.
I have to say, we didn't have a ball that was the right size until this week when we went out for the day in Bourton on the Water! They had a lovely toy shop for boys and lo and behold, his first football! It's just the right size for him to kick, and catch (well, hug) and he seems to be enjoying it!
5 - Help babies curiosity by putting some small objects in a pillowcase to find. Use noisy toys such as jingly toys, rattles, clattering spoons and rustly paper.
We tried this one but it didn't seem to inspire much. I think Joel's getting to the point of just wanting to be extra active at the moment and sitting quietly isn't on his to do list this week!
6 - Make a postbox from a cardboard box with a slit and let baby post household objects.
This kept him entertained for quite a while. He had some plastic blocks for Christmas from his Aunty Louise and Uncle Nick and they're perfect for posting into the hole! Along with various other things he finds such as remotes and spoons!
7 - Make a photo gallery and go through it with baby to identify family members.
We have been going through the photo albums and showing him family folk, but he prefers skype!!
8 - Crawling games - have fun crawling with your baby and race each other to encourage your baby to keep up.
One of his favourite games at the moment, as discovered by his Daddy, is chasing him making roaring noises! We crawl along and he giggles away, and commando crawls very fast looking over his shoulder to see how far we are behind, and then waits to be pounced upon for tickling!!!
9 - Play tent - peg a blanket over the backs of two chairs and let baby explore the space inside.
These last two I have to admit are currently outstanding and will be added to next weeks list as we had family up for half of half term so we couldn't do the original plans as we were being hospitable!!
10 - Go fishing. If baby likes to drop things for you to collect and pass back. Try attaching objects to baby's high chair with elastic and show him how to pull them back up again.
Plus, I need to buy some elastic for this one!!!
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