How to Play With Your Baby
Play is the number one way that your baby learns! Play helps your baby learn about the world around them. By play into baby’s wake windows, you ensure that your child is developing in many areas such as cognitive, language and sensory skills.
How soon should I start to play with my baby?
Engaging and interacting with your baby should start on day 1! Even some of the simplest activities will be beneficial for your child’s development. Check out our list below of easy, low, and no-prep activities to help your little one grow!
How long should Baby’s Wake Window Be?
A wake window is simply the time from when baby wakes up to when they go back down for a nap. Paying attention to your baby’s wake window time ensures that they are not getting over tired. The average wake time for 0-3 months is 60 to 90 minutes, although this includes feedings. So while you may just have 30-45 minutes with your baby after they eat, you can still make the most of it with engaging playtime activities!
Here’s a look at some of our favorite playtime activities for newborns.
1. Tummy Time
The number one way to play with your baby during this age is tummy time! During a baby’s first week or so, tummy time on your chest is a great way to strengthen their neck and back muscles while also getting some close-up face-to-face time with mom or dad.
If you would like a copy of the black and white cards shown below- you can download them here!
2. Floor Play with Overhead Toys
Floor play with toys overhead is a great way to exercise baby’s vision development and sensory stimulation. As baby grows, overhead play will also help develop their reaching and grasping skills as well. All of that floor movement will also help develop their leg, back, and arm muscles as well. When it comes to setting up your play area, aim to not overstimulate baby. A simple arch with 3-4 toys hanging works great.
3. Side Laying Play
Playing laying on their side is a great way to strengthen the muscles that will lead to baby’s ability to roll over. Set up a soft area for baby and place some of his or her favorite toys at their eye level but far enough back that if they were to roll to their tummy they would not roll on top of the toys. If baby does roll from side to their back or side to their tummy, that’s great! It shows that their muscles are working and getting stronger. Roll baby back to their side and continue to play for another few minutes!
4. Time in front of a mirror
Spending time in front of a mirror is a great way to improve your baby’s visual senses and develop self-awareness. Keep in mind that baby’s vision may only allow them to see just 6-12 inches in front of their face so be sure to get extra close to the mirror!
5. Get Outside!
Stepping outside for even just a few minutes a day has so many benefits for your baby! The outside world will hold a ton of new sensations and sights which is great for their brain development. Even more, outside time can help your baby sleep better! Studies show that natural light affects a baby’s circadian rhythm
6. Read a book
It is never too early to start reading to your baby! Reading to your baby from day 1 will help develop their language and cognitive skills. Reading to your baby can also help introduce educational concepts such as numbers, colors, and shapes. Again, make sure to hold the book close to your baby’s face as they can’t see more than a few inches in front of their face.
7. Sing a song
Just like reading, singing will help develop your baby’s language skills. Some studies show that singing to your baby can also reduce their anxiety and release endorphins.
8. Face to Face time
Spending time face-to-face is not only a great way to bond with your baby, but it will also help in their brain development as well. During this time you can make silly faces, talk to your baby, or simply smile and cuddle.
9. Sensory Play
Introducing different textures to your baby is a great way to stimulate their senses and encourage cognitive development. Baby’s are never too young for sensory play! You can start by just placing toys of different textures in their hands (we love these sensory balls from Amazon)
10. Move Baby’s Body
This is a great way to help your baby become familiar with their body and all the movements they are capable of making! Lay them on their back on a soft surface and pedal their legs, move their arms in small circles, and clap their hands together.
We recently did a really fun activity that encouraged our baby girl to get moving! We loosely tied two balloons to her ankles and placed her on a pillow mat. The result was ADORABLE! She kicked around and cooed for almost her entire wake window. Such a simple yet fun way to get baby moving!
11. Dance with Baby
Movement is a proven way to soothe baby. Whether you are holding baby in your arms or wearing them in a carrier, putting on some sweet tunes and dancing throughout the house is a great way to play with baby!
12. Bath Time
Bath time is the perfect time for play! It’s a great opportunity to engage baby’s senses with the water. Hold the washcloth a few inches above the water and let them watch the water run down as you squeeze it. Talk to baby during their bath; name each body part as you are washing it! You can also gently hold their hands and show them how to splash in the water.
As you can see, there are SO many ways to play with your baby that make a big impact on their growth and development! Check out a few more activities for baby below:
