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