7 Indoor Playtime Activities For Baby Development

Activity #1: Rattle Time (For ages 0 to 3 months)

A newborn has the ability to see even at birth, although she cannot focus both eyes on a single object yet. Her distance vision is blurred, approximately 10-30 times poorer than that of most adults.

An infant’s visual system will not develop unless it is exercised. Focusing distance is at 8-10 inches.


Developmental Goals                

• practice grasping reflexes
• refine hand-eye coordination
• develop muscle coordination

Materials

• 3 kinds of rattles

Steps

1. Rattles are a must-have for babies. Using more than one color, shape, and size provides variety for your child. Catch the baby's attention by shaking one rattle from a reasonable distance. This encourages her to move her eyes in that direction, and attempt to grab it from you.
2.  Call out the child's name and let her see your facial expression as you talk to her. 
3. After a while, hold another rattle up and shake it again.

Tips

Provide positive reinforcement when the child successfully grasps a rattle:

•     “Lia, you did it! You are playing with the rattle. Listen to the rattle.”
•     “Do it again.”
•     “Now touch this one.”
•     “Can you shake the rattle?”
•     To capture the infant’s attention, use a high- pitched, sing-song style and short utterances. Speak slowly and carefully enunciate.
•     When speaking to an infant, place your face very close to his face so that he is able to see you.
•     If you’re done with rattles, try “squeaky toys.”

Caution

Check the rattles for sharp edges or construction defects. Because rattles contain small pieces, check the rattle occasionally for normal wear and tear. Dispose of defective rattles immediately.

Click here to check out Activity #2: Rockin' the Day Away.