| Infant
Playneeds, infant toys |
Play
is more than fun for a baby. It is a serious learning process,
a process of applying what they have learnt, finding things
out and exploring what they find.
| Play
is anything which stimulates an infant to use her
body and senses and to develop her thinking and
intelligence. Play is essential for optimal mental
development. |
|
 Tips
to maximize the learning process:-
-
Adjust the play to the baby's mood - Let her take the lead
and show you what kind of play - rough or quiet, noisy or
gentle - she is interested in.
-
Adjust your timing to the baby's - her reactions are slower
so play at her pace. Don't lose your patience or hurry her
up.
- Different
babies like different intensities of stimulation - don't
go by what other babies like but only by what appeals to
your own.
-
Don't put out all her toys at the same time.
Hide a few. When she gets bored of the familiar
ones bring out the hidden ones and watch her
delight.
|
|
-
Anything and everything is fun to her like cleaning or dusting.
| A
baby's favorite plaything is you. |
|
-
Changes of scene are important as different senses get stimulated.
-
Change his viewpoint and perspective by putting him on your
shoulder.
The
best toys for different ages are: -
| 0
- 3 Months |
3
- 6 Months |
6
- 1 Year |
-
You
-
Mobiles
-
Musical toys
-
Mirrors
-
Brightly colored objects
-
Rattles
-
Your voice
-
Cloth books
-
His own body
-
Moving leaves
-
Things strung across his crib.
|
-
You
-
Large colourful balls .
-
Large soft objects
- Kitchen
utensils
-
Rattles or any other grasping toy
-
Books (thick board books)
|
-
You
-
Building Blocks
-
Dolls
-
Cars
-
Balls
-
Pull-String Toys
-
Photographs
-
Imitating You
-
Making A Mess
-
Water Play
-
Crayons (Non Toxic)
-
Books (thick board books)
|
|
| Babies
also get bored and need variety for continued stimulation. |
|
| Babies
love :- |
| -
bright contrasting colours |
| -easy
to see large objects |
| -pictures
of babies |
| Lullabies |
| Animal
sounds |
|
Stimulation
through play is the key to a baby's mental development. Here
are some tips on keeping your baby entertained: -
-
Go for walks.
-
Visit friends
-
Take her shopping
-
Talk to her
- Name
the objects, animals, people and everything else you see
even if she doesn't seem to understand you.
-
Read aloud to her. Choose nursery rhymes as babies like
rhythmic sounds. Act out what you are reading.
-
Sing. Try lullabies or if you don't know any, sing an old
Hindi film song.
- Massage
her
-
Play peek - a - boo games or tickle her
- Blow
bubbles
-
Play with her.
- Give
your baby a chance to play naked. This allows her to
- discover
and practice new physical skills unhampered by clothes.
-
Explore her own body.
-
Experience a complete change in the texture of her world.
|
