The first year of a baby's life is very important because it is during this year that he develops and learns the basics of motor skills, even if it doesn't seem that obvious. As young parents, you're probably wondering what your role would be in this important process?
Well, your duty is to accompany the little one in his growth by doing activities with him that will stimulate his senses.
So, how to stimulate a baby in the first year of his life?
Stimulating Your Baby According to Age
Aside from feeding the baby and changing diapers, every parent should also help their child develop their various mental and physical capacities.
It's up to the parents to help the child achieve more. However, it is also important to understand that the techniques or methods used to successfully stimulate your baby largely depend on the baby's age.
How to Stimulate a Baby from 1 to 3 Months?
When your baby is between 1 and 3 months old, they undergo a phase of sensorimotor development. This is when the newborn learns to observe, listen, and smell. It's why, from an early age, they can recognize the face, voice, and even the scent of their parents, especially their mother.
To help develop their senses, it is important to communicate with them. Whether it's mom, dad, or other close relatives, don't hesitate to talk to your little one. They probably won't understand what you're saying, but it will positively impact their sensory development.
You can also sing with them when you hold them in your arms or feed them a bottle. Smile so they feel the happiness and affection you have for them. Babies are very attentive to facial expressions. Don't hesitate to make funny faces or call them by their name.
At this age, babies love physical contact very much. Don't hesitate to hold them in your arms, cuddle them, and give kisses. Playing music near the baby will also help develop their auditory sense.
From 2 months onwards, their feet and hands begin to relax. It's an opportunity to play the kicking game (to stimulate fine motor skills), or the "peek-a-boo, here I am" game by moving their cute little hands.
Also consider buying them interactive toys, as this will help stimulate their sense of touch.
As playful as they are effective, these activities are very important for your baby's stimulation.
How to Stimulate a Baby from 3 Months to 1 Year?
By 3 months, the baby is more robust and less fragile. You can therefore engage in bolder activities with them. Letting them smell the scents of food, for example, is a good idea. Just from scents, they can start recognizing and distinguishing different types of foods.
Between 3 months and 1 year, the baby often puts everything they can grasp into their mouth. It's therefore time to introduce them to different foods through their diet.
It's also time to intensify motor skills exercises. Many strollers and baby toys allow them to develop their motor skills thanks to accessories that stimulate your little one's senses.
At this age, some babies don't even need parents to play. It's often during this period that we realize how rapid and evolving the development is. Baby is almost ready to explore the world 👶
Essentials for Stimulating Your Baby's Development
Many tips and tools are available to parents and educators to help babies stimulate their development.
This is precisely what the Montessori method is based on. It helps develop curiosity, creativity, and many other aspects in children.
This learning system is considered a real aid in a baby's growth process because it favors specific methods adapted to each child rather than generic ones.
Communicate with Your Little One
It cannot be stressed enough! Communicating with your baby is not a waste of time. Simply talking to them, smiling at them, and showing them things first creates a strong emotional bond between you and them, and then helps them grow, think, and reason.
Smiling is a form of communication that babies particularly love. They often try to communicate with you using different cute sounds.
Stimulate Their Vision
To stimulate baby's vision, try passing a shiny or colorful object in front of them. As their vision develops, you will notice that they will follow you with their eyes, as well as follow the object with their gaze each time it moves.
Cuddle and Carry Your Baby
This simple, natural action allows the baby to feel intense emotions. Carrying and cuddling them will confer a sense of confidence, security, and inner peace.
Teach Basic Movements to Your Baby
While playing with them, teach them to clap their hands, pedal, etc. Sometimes, hold them upright by their arms and take small steps. This will prompt them to want to walk and stand on their own.
Don't hesitate to let them stand on your thighs during your stimulation playtime together.
Play with Your Baby
The best way to teach an infant something is to do it in a fun way. It's almost the only language they understand. Babies love to have fun. So take advantage of the moments they are having fun to help them develop in all areas.
Don't hesitate to buy them educational toys or stimulation toys (puzzles, teething rings, etc.), stuffed animals... These activities will aid in their growth in numerous domains.
Best Activities and Stimulation Toys for Your Baby
When it comes to activities and toys that stimulate your baby's senses, the choices are very diverse. Depending on the age of the baby and the goals you've set as parents, many options are available to you.
The Stimulation Mat
Already useful from the first months of the baby, the stimulation mat is an excellent choice to develop toddlers' senses (motor skills, and more). In the form of a blanket, the stimulation mat helps the baby play while learning and improving their psychomotor skills. It's an all-in-one for babies aged 0 to 6 months.
Combined with fun toys like an activity arch, Sophie the giraffe, dolls, a teddy bear... the stimulation mat is essential for the child's development.
Baby Swimming
This activity will do wonders for your baby. It will allow them to appreciate water from a young age and discover a new environment. For parents, it's an incredible opportunity to create bonding moments with their child.
Of course, to practice baby swimming, you'll need to equip yourself with several accessories depending on the baby's age. Pool floats, armbands, and other swim vests are essentials for having fun safely.
Note that this aquatic activity can be considered from 4 months old.
The Rattle
The rattle is a stimulation toy very much appreciated by babies since its shape allows them to learn to hold an object well. It's made up of small toys that emit sounds, yet another point that is very appealing to babies.
So, whenever the baby moves it, they can hear a sound, which amuses them. It's a fairly simple but very effective toy.
The Comfort Item
This is an accessory that will help the child cope with the absence of their parents, for example, during their sleep.
Its presence helps reassure them and make them feel like they are not alone, which is why babies almost never part with it.
The comfort item can come in various forms. It can be:
- A stuffed animal,
- A piece of clothing,
- A specific toy,
- A bib...
Very often, the child naturally becomes attached to it. However, parents can also propose one to them.
Nursery Rhymes
Nursery rhymes are songs that entertain the little ones. Singing them frequently helps babies stimulate their memory. They retain the melody, and as they grow, they keep those rhythms in memory.
Singing nursery rhymes is an excellent way to stimulate a child's senses.
It's very easy as parents to awaken and stimulate their baby's senses. Most methods or means to achieve this goal are fun for the child and also for the parents. We hope this article helped you understand how to stimulate your baby's senses.
Discover, for example, our article to learn at what age your baby can start swimming.We'll be back soon with new articles on baby development!
