A better start for babiesA better start for babies
Helping my baby learn through play: 3 to 6 months old.Helping my baby learn through play: 3 to 6 months old.
SensorySensory MotorMotor Attention/RegulationAttention/Regulation RelationshipsRelationships TogetherTogether
REACHING, GRASPING AND INTERACTINGREACHING, GRASPING AND INTERACTING
Play IdeaPlay Idea How does it help my baby?How does it help my baby?
MirrorMirror Helping my baby learn through looking
• Visualattentionandrecognition• Exploration• Learningtofocusandfollowimages
Helping my baby learn through exploring
• Reaching,grasping,holdingandreleasing.• Passingobjectsbetweenhands• Feelingdifferenttextures• Bringingobjectstothemouth.
Helping my baby learn through using senses
• Lookingatpictures• Learningtousebothhands• Feelingdifferenttextures• Listeningtodifferentwordsyousay
Boosting my baby’s brain and eyes
• Lookingat,followingandreachingforbubbles• Listeningtosimplewordsyousaywhileplaying likebubble,pop,etc.
Helping my baby learn through moving
• Reachingandgrasping• Bringinglegsuptokicktoys• Gettingreadytorollover
Did you know?Babieslearninthecontextofarelationshipsotalking,playingandaffectionatetouchingwilldevelopyourbaby’scognitive,languageandmotorskills.
Talkingtoyourbabydevelopstheirlanguageskills.
Whoozit Sensory balls BlocksWhoozit Sensory balls Blocks
Playishowachildlearns.Thisleafletwascreatedtoprovideideasforactivitieswhichcansupportdevelopmentoflanguage,cognitionandmotorskills.Thefocusisnotonspecificbrandsoftoysandthisisnotanextensivelist.Developmentvariesfrom
childtochildandifyouhaveanyconcernsaboutyourchildspeaktoyourGPorhealthvisitor.
© 2018 by B. Hutchon and S. Powell –Paediatric Occupational Therapy Dept. Royal Free London with Dr. A. Fernandez-Neonatologist San Jose Hospital, Chile. Our deepest thanks to the many parents and colleagues who contributed to this leaflet.
Soft textured books with picturesSoft textured books with pictures
Protecting my baby’s learning
• SomestudiesshowthatchildrenwhowatchTVorhavescreentime canhavepoorerconcentrationandpoorerlanguagedevelopment• TrytokeeptheTVoffwhenyourbabyisintheroomasbabiesof thisagecanbecomedistractedbythescreen.
Bubbles Bubbles
Activity Spiral Activity Spiral
Avoid screen time Avoid screen time
A better start for babiesA better start for babies
Tips to improve engaging in play with 3 to 6 months old: Tips to improve engaging in play with 3 to 6 months old:
SensorySensory MotorMotor Attention/RegulationAttention/Regulation RelationshipsRelationships
Play together in a variety of positionsPlay together in a variety of positions
Tummy TimeTummy Time
Placebrightlycolouredtoys,booksoramirrorinfrontofyourbaby.
Learning to sit Learning to sit
Sitonthefloorwithyourbabybetweenyourlegsforsupport.Putinterestingtoysinfrontofyourbabyorturnyourbabyaroundtofaceyou
Exploring with hands and mouthExploring with hands and mouth
Placetoysnexttoyourbabytoencouragepickinguporinhisorherhandsforexploring
Remember the importance of … Remember the importance of …
Using a variety of facial expressions Using a variety of facial expressions Rhymes and Songs Rhymes and Songs Social-Emotional growth Social-Emotional growth
Itgrabsyourbaby’sattentionandpromotesinteraction.
Usehandmotionstoincreaseattention.e.gPat-A-cake,ItsyBitsySpider,TwinkleTwinkleLittleStar
Engaginginrelationshipsbylaughingaloud,recognisingfaces,mimickingfacialexpressions,andenjoyingplaywithotherpeople
Keeping your baby safe… Keeping your baby safe…
No sleeping on tummy No sleeping on tummy Only use safe toys to avoid choking Only use safe toys to avoid choking Avoid using moulded seats Avoid using moulded seats
Sleepingontummyhasbeenassociatedwithanincreasedriskofsuddeninfantdeathsyndrome.Tummytimeonlywhenawake.
Childrenofthisageloveputtingtoysintheirmouth.Ensurealltoysaresuitableandsafeforyoungchildren.
Therigidityoftheseatmayinter-ferewiththenaturalprocessofacquiringposturalcontrolwhichisnecessaryforsittingandcrawling.
Playishowachildlearns.Thisleafletwascreatedtoprovideideasforactivitieswhichcansupportdevelopmentoflanguage,cognitionandmotorskills.Thefocusisnotonspecificbrandsoftoysandthisisnotanextensivelist.Developmentvariesfrom
childtochildandifyouhaveanyconcernsaboutyourchildspeaktoyourGPorhealthvisitor.
© 2018 by B. Hutchon and S. Powell –Paediatric Occupational Therapy Dept. Royal Free London with Dr. A. Fernandez-Neonatologist San Jose Hospital, Chile. Our deepest thanks to the many parents and colleagues who contributed to this leaflet.
Did you know?Babiesof6monthsarealreadybeginningtorespondtotheirname.Learningtositandplayisanimportantbuildingblockforlatercrawling,standingandwalking.
TogetherTogether
