Explore Through Movement and Play with Your Baby
Activity #1: Shake, Rattle Grab!
Note to parents and caregivers: Infants can grasp reflexively from birth, but around 3 months your baby will begin to open and shut their hands more intentionally. This activity works on building physical development and fine motor skills.
Materials:
Rattle or shaker
Instructions:
Let’s see what your baby does with the rattle/shaker. Start shaking the rattle/shaker and observe your baby’s reactions. Do they imitate you, laugh, or smile? Does your baby reach for the rattle/shaker?
Next, place the rattle/shaker in your baby’s hands. Observe how your little one responds.
Activity #2: Toss and roll your ball!
Note to parents and caregivers: Playing physical games gives babies opportunities to develop self-confidence in their ability to do things like balance, climb, bend or stretch. Playing with toy balls will help your baby develop large muscle control, hand-eye coordination, and foot-eye coordination.
Materials:
Plastic ball
Instructions:
Let’s see what your baby does when you play with her using the ball. Sit on the floor across from them and roll the ball to them. See how they react. Encourage them to roll the ball back to you. Try it slowly and then try it quickly. See how their reaction changes.
Stand up across from your baby. Gently toss the ball to them. See how they respond. Encourage them to toss the ball back to you. How have their growth motor skills changed things for you?
Activities Prepared by:
Harlem School District 122
URL: https://www.harlem122.org/
BabyTALK Home Visit Program is a free program provided for Harlem School District residents. It provides services to families who are expecting a new baby or have children under the age of 3.
