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Play Tip: PLAYTIME IS TALK TIME
Yoee Team • Oct 14, 2020
Make the Most of Playing Together
Talking with baby from birth is one of the easiest and best things you can do to help nurture your baby’s cognitive and social-emotional skills while laying a strong foundation for later language development.
Turning playtime into talk time is as simple as narrating what you’re doing. “This is your stuffie named Mr. Monkey. He’s happy today because he gets to kiss you on the tummy.” (Kiss baby on the tummy with Mr. Monkey.) Your baby is sure to love hearing the lilting, sing-song of your voice, which is why playtime talking is such a great way to enhance bonding. Make it a habit to talk to your baby throughout the day —while doing housework, taking a walk, preparing meals or simply responding to your baby’s coos, actions and interests. “Did you hear something? What was that sound? Was that a bird?” When you don’t know what to do, you can always just have fun talking!
A baby’s earliest learning happens through their senses. Sensory play encourages baby to explore and investigate while building body awareness, motor skills, and helping form strong neural connections in the brain. Use a silk scarf, a feather boa, or a soft toy to lightly caress baby’s face and body. Baby may find these interactions calming and soothing or they may become more alert as they track the object and delight in a new sensation. Young babies often respond to touch with a full body reflex. If you tickle one foot, both feet may start to move and baby may start to squirm in response. As babies develop, they increasingly gain muscular control and control over their reflexes, allowing them to respond with more targeted responses. Gentle massage is another way to engage their senses while making them feel safe and loved.
Tummy Time is time for exploration and play. Tummy time is important for baby’s visual, motor, and sensory development. It also helps develop muscles in the neck, back, and shoulders. Getting started is as easy as introducing your newborn to even a short session of Tummy Time (3-5 minutes) when they are alert and well-rested. Over time, this can easily be increased, since there’s really no limit to Tummy Time other than making sure that it’s only done while you and baby are alert and engaged. Make Tummy Time fun by using rattles (not too loud), toys, and mirrors to encourage reaching and visual tracking. Get down on the floor at baby’s eye level. Baby loves your face! Sing a song to calm and soothe if baby gets fussy. Don’t forget to give baby lots of words of encouragement and smiles!
