Читать книгу Fun Start: An idea a week to maximize your baby’s potential from birth to age 5 - June Oberlander R. - Страница 10

 parental bonding

 awareness of moving objects (visual stimulation)

 awareness of the bell sound (auditory stimulation)

Cut a piece of one centimetre-wide elastic about 10-20 centimetres longer than the width of the baby’s cot. Tie three knots loosely in the elastic, approximately 10 to 15 centimetres apart, before tying each end to either side of the top rail of the cot. Cut and slip three shorter pieces of one centimetre elastic through the loose knots. Loosely tie two of the short pieces and retain these for later use. Tie a coloured cotton reel (or colour one with a red felt marker) securely to the other loose knot. Pull the elastic and tighten the knot. The cotton reel and the other two objects that will be attached should hang low enough so that the baby will be able to reach them when he is ready.

The first day, try to interest the baby by moving the cotton reel back and forth. Observe the baby’s eyes. Does he watch the cotton reel swing? Does the baby attempt to grasp the cotton reel? Does your baby smile? Talk to your baby while you interact with him.

The second day, attach a plastic lid that has been covered with shiny household aluminium foil securely to the knot beside the cotton reel. Follow the same procedure for the lid as was done with the cotton reel. Observe the baby’s reaction. Then move both the cotton reel and the lid back and forth. Observe to see if the baby responds in any way.

The next day, attach a large jingle bell or rattle securely to the third loose knot. Move the bell to make a sound. Observe the baby’s reaction. Does the baby attempt to touch the object that makes a sound?

For the remainder of the week and later, repeat the procedure with the reel, lid and bell. The baby will soon discover that the cotton reel and lid make no sound when moved, whereas the bell makes a sound. This activity may serve to entertain the baby briefly at various times.

Observe your baby and become aware of any changes in his responses or movements. Have your baby’s arms and legs straightened out? Does he turn his head more easily? Does he lift his head slightly? Does the baby follow a moving object? Does he tend to turn his head when you move throughout the room? Does the baby’s whole body seem to lean in the direction that you move, the direction of light or sound?

Repeat all of the activities that have been suggested. Remember to begin on the left when moving the body parts so that body laterality continues to be established. Also continue to move the baby’s entire body gently from left to right at various times to reinforce this. It is also important to repeat the light and eye exercises and to talk, sing, hum or play music to keep the baby’s senses keen.

During the first month of life, a baby is adjusting to his new environment. The key point is the baby’s sense of touch, which needs much stimulation. The beginning activities deal with touch in relation to body parts. The light and sound activities initiate the stimulation of the eyes and ears.

At various times, all of the first week’s activities should be repeated to reinforce the baby’s awareness of his whole body, body parts, left and right laterality, as well as his sensitivity to light and sound.

Periodically, you should move your baby from his stomach position onto his back. Also, alternate positions by laying the baby at the head and foot of the bassinet or cot. This further stimulates the baby’s sensitivity to his new environment.