Playing with your baby is one of the best parts of being a parent. It’s a great way to bond with your little ones and watch them grow and develop. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!
But if you’re new to the game, it can be tough to know if you’re doing the right thing. From using the right baby toys to using gentle movements, here’s a beginner’s guide to playing with your baby, complete with dos and don’ts!
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What are the benefits of playing with your baby?
1. Playtime is a great way to bond with your baby.
It almost goes without saying that playing with your baby is a great way to bond with them. As you play together, you’ll build a strong connection that will last a lifetime.
In fact, studies have shown that playing with your baby can help them develop a stronger attachment to you.
2. Playtime helps your baby learn about the world around them.
Part of the reason why playing with baby is so important is because it helps them learn about the world around them. Through play, they’ll start to understand things like cause and effect, object permanence, and more.
And as they learn more about their surroundings, they’ll also start to develop important skills like problem-solving and critical thinking.
3. It helps them develop physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Playing with your baby isn’t just good for their brains but also for their bodies! As they run, jump, and crawl around, they’ll be developing their gross motor skills. And as they grasp and manipulate baby toys, they’ll refine their fine motor skills.
But it’s not just their physical health that benefits from playtime – playing also helps babies develop mentally and emotionally.
For example, playing peek-a-boo can help them learn about object permanence while playing with baby dolls can help them understand emotions and empathy.
3. It’s a great way to relieve stress.
Playing with your baby isn’t just good for them – it’s also good for you! In fact, research has shown that playing with your baby can help relieve stress and reduce anxiety. So not only will you be making your baby happy, but you’ll also be improving your mental health in the process.
Playing with Baby: Dos
1. Get down on their level.
Getting down on their level is important when you’re playing with your baby. This will make them feel more comfortable and help you connect with them better.
If you’re playing on the floor, sit or lie down so that you’re at eye level with them. And if you’re playing while they’re in their crib or playpen, make sure to stoop down so that you’re at their eye level as well.
2. Make eye contact.
As you play with your baby, making eye contact with them is important. This helps them feel connected to you and also helps them learn about emotions.
Another great way to make eye contact is by playing peek-a-boo with them. Babies love this game because it’s interactive, and they get to see your facial expressions.
3. Let them lead the way.
One of the most important things to remember when playing with your baby is to let them lead the way. This means following their lead and letting them decide what they want to do.
If they’re interested in a certain toy, let them play with it. And if they lose interest in something, don’t try to force them to keep playing with it.
4. Use gentle movements.
When you’re playing with your baby, it’s important to use gentle movements. This is because their bodies are still developing, and they can get easily overwhelmed. So avoid anything that might be too rough or fast for
5. Use toys that are safe for them.
Of course, when you’re playing with your baby, you’ll want to use toys that are safe for them. This means avoiding anything that’s small enough to fit in their mouth or anything with sharp edges.
You’ll also want to avoid any toy with strings or cords that could wrap around their neck and choke them. Some great toys for babies include soft dolls, stuffed animals, wooden toys, and rattles.
6. Use simple words and phrases.
Using simple words and phrases is crucial when playing with your baby. This is because they’re still learning to understand language and can easily get overwhelmed.
So avoid using long sentences or complicated words. Instead, stick to short phrases like “peek-a-boo” or “where’s the ball?”
7. Make sure they’re wearing the right clothes.
Playing can be a messy business, so you’ll want to ensure your baby wears the right baby clothing. This means avoiding anything that’s too loose or could easily fall off.
You’ll also want to avoid anything that’s too tight or constricting. And if you’re playing outside, don’t forget to wear sunscreen and a hat!
Playing with Baby: Don’ts
1. Don’t forget to wash your hands.]
One of the most important things to remember when playing with your baby is to wash your hands before you start. Babies are incredibly prone to infection, and you don’t want to transmit any germs or bacteria to them.
So, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before you begin playing.
2. Don’t use electronic devices.
Before you grab your phone or tablet to play with your baby, think again. Using electronic devices while playing can actually be harmful to your child’s development.
This is because it limits their ability to interact with you and learn about emotions. So instead of using devices, put them away and focus on playing with your baby the old-fashioned way.
3. Don’t get too rough.
As we mentioned before, babies are fragile creatures, and their bodies are still developing. So it’s important to avoid getting too rough when playing with them. From 0 to 6 months, they can only handle gentle movements and soft touches.
And even after 6 months, you’ll still want to be careful and avoid anything that could hurt them. So no tickling, no playing too roughly, and no shaking their crib or playpen.
4. Don’t go too fast.
In addition to being gentle, you’ll also want to avoid going too fast when playing with your baby. This means not moving too quickly or doing anything that could startle them.
Remember, they’re still getting used to the world around them, and everything is new to them. So take things slow and give them time to adjust.
5. Don’t try to force them to play.
Just like you shouldn’t force your baby to eat or sleep, you shouldn’t force them to play. If they’re not interested in playing with a certain toy or if they lose interest in something, don’t try to push it.
Conclusion
Playing with your baby is a great way to bond with them, teach them new things, and help them develop important skills. But you should still remember that babies are delicate creatures, and you need to handle them with care.
So wash your hands, dress them in comfortable clothes, use safe toys, and take things slow. Soon enough, you and your baby will be playing like old friends.