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This is written from my head with just memories to work from - if there is something you would like to add in the comments please do, and welcome. Or if it is something that should be included in the article then please just let me know and I shall
edit.
Even in a very young baby there are things we can do as parents to stimulate them and encourage their interest in the things around them
Sounds/Voices; talk to your bub. They dont mind what, sing to them - they will think it is magical! They dont know these simple songs, or whether you sing in key. Baby will soon start to respond to your advances with smiles and coos. Enjoy them, they are magical and you will see it increase. They also adore musical toys, mobiles that play nursery rhymes, and those crinkly toys that squish and scrunch. (loads of onomatopoeia!) Making funny noises, blowing raspberries on their tummies, honking your nose, even blowing through grass when on an outdoor picnic will entrance and amuse your babe.
Colours; At first babies can only see black and white, but soon they start seeing different colours, find a mobile that has the different colours on it. Bright colours!!! Get one of those little 'nests' to lie baby in on the floor, they can safely roll in it when they get old enough, and until then they can lie looking up at the beautiful shapes and colours swirling tantilizing just out of reach. Ours crinkled and rattled and had a mirror and all sorts on it, the duck even 'quacked'!
Shapes; Just because it is something different and it is something that they will soon become familiar with. Simple shapes like soft blocks and balls aregood to start with, as bub starts teething the rubber shapes will come in handy and there will be more variety. Shape sorting games (you know the ones where you push the shape through into the box/ball) are marvellous and they are available in rubber/soft plastics.
Textures; Stroke them with different textures...we found a piece of fake furry stuff when going through an old box of bits at church one day and i used to stroke it over E. It was different to other things we had and it was so soft. Also there are many toys with different textures, balls etc that were different for her to touch, rubber, plastics, some smooth others slightly bumpy. All of them add a new dimension to discover and experiment with in this world that is so new and adventurous.
Nursery Rhymes; Invest in a couple of cloth or cardboard nursery rhyme books. Find some interactive rhymes; 'This little piggy' is a great one because it tickles and involves them too. Find some soothing night-time rhymes and sounds to help them find a sleep routine.
Soft Toys; Always a hit with the aunties and uncles are the endless soft toys that they can bestow on the new arrival. I cant tell you how many we have an dhow many we still need to give away because there is no space for them - but how to choose? LOL...Soft toys are great, and can be used as puppets to illustrate stories, rhymes and poems as your bub gets older and can appreciate that.
Wishing you lots of enjoyment with your newborn
Peace
EF.x
(January 2007) (
