A baby's first year of life is full of major milestones in movement. Parents can help their babies develop these important skills by engaging them in some stimulating gross motor activities for infants which are a fun way for parent and child to spend time together.
Control of the neck starts in the baby's first few months of life. The infant will move her head in response to a voice or something interesting in her field of vision. Often, the child will favor one side over the other, so it's best to purposefully stand on the other side to encourage uniform neck muscle development. Playing peek-a-boo, or using a wind-up musical toy, or shaking a rattle are all good ways to stimulate head movement.
"Tummy time" further encourages strengthening and development of the baby's neck muscles, and later the ability to roll over or push up with his arms. Baby lies on his belly on a blanket on the floor, with the parent kneeling nearby providing some form of entertainment such as singing, or waving a colorful toy. The infant will try to lift his head for a better look, and push up with his arms eventually. From the age of 3 months, a toy placed close by can act as an incentive to get the baby to roll over.
Leg development is important for those first steps. Young babies can be placed on their backs while the parent plays a toe-tickling game with them or moving the legs in a cycling motion. Around 6 or 7 months of age, hold baby under her arms and see if she is ready to support her own weight with her legs, and gently bounce her to make it fun.
Don't overlook baby's arms either, since they must be strong for when he starts to crawl. Mom and dad can encourage him to reach by holding a toy over his head. He will also gladly learn to use his arms and hands for new actions like waving, clapping, or shaking a toy, if he is shown how. When his neck control is down pat, he can be pulled to a sitting position from his back with his arms.
Around the age of 4 months, most babies can sit if they are propped from behind. Sitting can be encouraged by the reading to the baby from a colorful board book held at eye level, or by providing her with fun activity centers which call for a seated position rather than lying down, if they are to be fully enjoyed.
Babies may start crawling or "scooting" around 6 to 9 months of age. There are lots of fun ways to encourage mobility during playtime. Placing objects just out of his reach, encourages crawling. Once the baby is moving about he may enjoy a pillow obstacle course to crawl over, large boxes with holes cut in them for hiding in, toys which roll along the floor, and searching for a hidden toy.
Babies are individuals and reach these movement milestones when they are ready. Parents need not be worried as long as the baby is showing progress in his or her gross motor development every month. Through play, most babies can be encouraged to use all four limbs and turn to both sides, if this is not the case, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician or family doctor.
Control of the neck starts in the baby's first few months of life. The infant will move her head in response to a voice or something interesting in her field of vision. Often, the child will favor one side over the other, so it's best to purposefully stand on the other side to encourage uniform neck muscle development. Playing peek-a-boo, or using a wind-up musical toy, or shaking a rattle are all good ways to stimulate head movement.
"Tummy time" further encourages strengthening and development of the baby's neck muscles, and later the ability to roll over or push up with his arms. Baby lies on his belly on a blanket on the floor, with the parent kneeling nearby providing some form of entertainment such as singing, or waving a colorful toy. The infant will try to lift his head for a better look, and push up with his arms eventually. From the age of 3 months, a toy placed close by can act as an incentive to get the baby to roll over.
Leg development is important for those first steps. Young babies can be placed on their backs while the parent plays a toe-tickling game with them or moving the legs in a cycling motion. Around 6 or 7 months of age, hold baby under her arms and see if she is ready to support her own weight with her legs, and gently bounce her to make it fun.
Don't overlook baby's arms either, since they must be strong for when he starts to crawl. Mom and dad can encourage him to reach by holding a toy over his head. He will also gladly learn to use his arms and hands for new actions like waving, clapping, or shaking a toy, if he is shown how. When his neck control is down pat, he can be pulled to a sitting position from his back with his arms.
Around the age of 4 months, most babies can sit if they are propped from behind. Sitting can be encouraged by the reading to the baby from a colorful board book held at eye level, or by providing her with fun activity centers which call for a seated position rather than lying down, if they are to be fully enjoyed.
Babies may start crawling or "scooting" around 6 to 9 months of age. There are lots of fun ways to encourage mobility during playtime. Placing objects just out of his reach, encourages crawling. Once the baby is moving about he may enjoy a pillow obstacle course to crawl over, large boxes with holes cut in them for hiding in, toys which roll along the floor, and searching for a hidden toy.
Babies are individuals and reach these movement milestones when they are ready. Parents need not be worried as long as the baby is showing progress in his or her gross motor development every month. Through play, most babies can be encouraged to use all four limbs and turn to both sides, if this is not the case, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician or family doctor.
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