28 May 7 Ways To Help Your Baby’s Development
We list 7 ways you can aid your baby’s development by providing a great learning environment.
You can help your baby get a great start in life and learning by providing an environment that encourages their healthy development. Dr Jane Williams, research and education general manager for GymbaROO, passes on a few tips:
Tummy Time
When awake, place your baby on their stomach as often as possible. Start with a few minutes at a time and try to build up so your baby is comfortable for longer periods. Your baby needs lots of tummy time to efficiently learn how to control their head and neck. If your little one doesn’t like tummy time, they may be experiencing discomfort. If this continues, seek advice from your local health professional.
Infant Massage
Start massage as early as possible. This is not only a time of bonding, but also of sensory stimulation. After the massage, start gentle exercise, moving your baby’s arms and legs in and out. Don’t force your baby’s limbs, after massage they will sometimes slowly open out if you are gentle.
Get Dancing
Dance with your little one, they love it. Dancing helps develop your baby’s rhythm, balance, vision and muscle tone. Dance rhythmically and gently to music with different beats. They feel the beat through your movements.
Don’t Rush Them
Don’t try to hasten nature. Just provide an environment that stimulates development of rolling, crawling and creeping.
Offer Obstacles
Provide your moving infant with obstacle courses such as pillows and boxes to scramble under, over and through.
Provide Variety
Join a toy library or do a swap with friends so you can give your child different challenges.
Take Them For Walks
Take your baby for walks in the pram. Alter the surface over which you push the pram — rough, smooth, noisy, quiet (grass). Alternate between pushing fast and slow. Pull the pram instead of pushing. The variety of sights, sounds and feelings the baby experiences are very stimulating.
Words Dr Jane Williams
