Fun Start: An idea a week to maximize your baby’s potential from birth to age 5

following directions

listening

language development (names of objects)

visual perception in finding the correct objects

confidence

independence

Give the baby a book to hold and allow him to examine it. Tell the baby that he is holding a book. Ask the baby to give the book back to you. Tell the baby to watch as you hide the book under a pillow or magazine. Tell the baby to go and find the book. Retrieve the book if the baby does not seem to understand. Show the book to the baby and hide it in the same place. Keep doing this until the baby gets the idea and can find the book independently. Praise the baby for any positive response. Repeat the word‘book’as often as possible and eventually the baby will say the word ‘book’.

Choose different familiar toys to hide from the baby. However, hide only one object at a given time. Call the object by name as you hide it. The baby will be more confident if you hide it in the same place. However, if the baby can readily find the hidden object, try another hiding place, such as under the sofa or a table. Try to hide it under something each time so that the baby will understand the spatial concept ‘under’. Reinforcing the name of each item will stimulate the baby to listen, and eventually, he may begin to say the names of some of the objects. Much praise and encouragement are needed for motivation in this type of activity.

Which Hand? (#ulink_eae35acc-11a4-5b64-8ecc-f6185603e4a9)

This activity develops

memory recall

association of object and the correct hand

interest in playing a game

Choose an object that can be concealed in one hand. Show the small object to the baby as you identify the name of it. Retain the object in one hand and put both of your hands behind you. Clasp both of your hands as if both of them are holding the object and bring your hands back in clear view of the baby. Call the baby by name and ask him to point to the hand that has the object in it. Continue to do this several times. Use the same hand and object each time until the baby understands and can point correctly to the hand that is concealing the object. Praise the child for any positive response.

After the baby is comfortable with this activity, feel free to alternate hands. However, never change hands to conceal the object when your hands are behind you. The object of this activity is for the child to remember in which hand he saw you hold the object before you clasped each hand behind you. Changing hands behind you may tend to confuse and frustrate the baby. It may also cause the baby to lose confidence and trust in you. Other objects may be used in the same manner once the baby is comfortable with this activity.

Listen and Do More (#ulink_84bbbf27-3b1e-591a-baf3-79d4ec7124c1)

This activity develops

more awareness of left and right progression

eye-hand coordination

further development of sensory perception

vocabulary development

skill in listening to and following directions

Place three objects in a row in front of the baby. Some suggested objects are a rattle, a sock ball, a small stuffed animal, a spoon, or any similar item. Three items are suggested because too many objects may over-stimulate and confuse the baby. Start on the left and name each object that has been placed in the row. Allow the baby to hold and touch the first one on the left. Replace that one and allow the baby to hold and feel the middle one. Replace that object and allow the baby to hold and feel the third one in the row. Replace that object in the row. Encourage the baby to name the three objects as you point to each one. If the baby just watches, repeat the name of each object several times as you move from left to right.

Ask the baby to hand you the first object. Call it by its name, but do not touch or point to it. If the child does not understand, pick up the object, name it and replace it. Repeat the procedure and ask for the same object by name. Keep doing this until the baby understands and hands you the correct object. Be sure to praise the baby for any positive response that he makes.

Call the second object by its name and instruct the child to hand the object to you. Once again, if the baby does not understand, pick up the object, name it and replace it. Continue doing this for the third object until the baby can respond correctly. If the baby appears to become frustrated stop this activity, and try again at another time.

If you repeat this activity often enough, the baby will gain more confidence and will welcome a change in the position of the three objects. Later the three objects may be exchanged for other items, used with the same procedure.

Command and Do (#ulink_5f8e0ec9-f637-5e88-a944-33b0062839ae)

This activity develops

skill in following directions

listening skills

language development

eye-hand coordination

an understanding of affection shown by hugging a teddy bear

confidence

Assemble a stuffed teddy bear, the can with the plastic lid and cotton reel that were used in the week 42 activity and a medium size ball. Place them in order from left to right. Show the baby how to hug the stuffed animal as you remove it from the left position. Say,‘Mummy hugs Teddy.’Tell the baby to hug the teddy bear. Say,‘(Baby’s name) hugs Teddy.’ Praise the baby if he responds positively. If he just watches you, hug the bear again and encourage the baby to do likewise. Continue to do this until the baby responds correctly or loses interest.

Put the teddy bear back in place and pick up the cotton reel and drop it in the hole of the plastic lid on the can. Say,‘Mummy put the cotton reel in the can.’Since the baby has done this before, he may readily respond. If not, keep trying until he follows your command. Once the baby has responded correctly, clap your hands, praise him and say,‘(Baby’s name) put the cotton reel in the can.’ Roll the ball a short distance and say, ‘Mummy rolled the ball.’ Encourage the baby to go and get the ball and roll it back to you. Help the baby if he has difficulty retrieving or rolling the ball back to you. Respond to him again by calling him by name and praising him for his positive actions. Continue to do this until the baby understands how to go and get the ball even though it was not rolled directly to him. Try not to roll the ball a long way, because it will be difficult for the baby to retrieve and roll the ball back to you.

Where Does It Belong? (#ulink_b67eaf1d-b2d3-5685-870b-1bd135e881bb)

This activity develops

listening to and following directions

language enrichment

association skills

confidence and independence

Obtain a mitten that is larger than the baby’s hand. (An oven mitt will do.) Also, find a large bedroom slipper and a hat that is easy to put on the baby’s head but is not too large.

Put the mitten or mitt on your hand and take it off. Encourage the baby to put the mitten or mitt on either one of his hands. (Do not be concerned about the thumb as long as the baby gets his hand inside.) Help the baby put the mitten on if necessary. Talk to the baby as you do this. Practise putting the mitten or mitt on and taking it off until the baby is confident in doing this.

Put the slipper on your foot and take it off. Then encourage the baby to try it on his foot. Allow him to choose either foot. Help him if necessary. Practise this as long as the baby is interested.

Place the hat on your head and encourage the baby to take it off your head. Does he put the hat on his head? If not, encourage him to do so. Repeat the process if he does not seem to understand. Do this until the baby gets the idea.

Place the mitten or mitt, slipper and hat in a row. Tell the baby to put the mitten or mitt on. Does he put it on his hand or just watch you. Show him how, if he does not understand.

Then tell the baby to put on the slipper. Can he do that independently? Assist him if he does not quite understand. Point to the hat and tell him to put the hat on. Does he put it on his head or just watch? Help him if necessary. Continue doing this activity at various times and allow the child to play with the items independently. Be sure to praise him whenever he makes a positive response.

Point to It (#ulink_b57fde7b-0454-554e-8421-62d90a2407d4)

This activity develops