Читать книгу Fun Start: An idea a week to maximize your baby’s potential from birth to age 5 - June Oberlander R. - Страница 7

Observe the baby’s head movements. Is the head wobbly? Support it when the baby is not in a reclining position. Support the head with a collar, blanket, hand, lap or cradled arm. Does the baby turn his head from side to side? If not, gently turn the baby’s head while he is in a reclining position. This helps the baby to become aware of both sides of his head.

Observe the baby’s hand movements. Does the baby have a strong grasp? Let the baby grab and hold your finger. The baby is beginning to react to other people by feeling. The grasp is a prenatal reflex and will weaken as the baby’s eye-hand coordination develops. When you are playing with or holding the baby put his left and right palms together. This helps to develop a feeling and awareness of both sides of his body.

Observe the baby’s arm movements. Straighten the baby’s left arm and note the baby’s reaction. Straighten the baby’s right arm and note the baby’s reaction.

Observe the baby’s legs. Straighten the left leg and note the baby’s reaction. Straighten the right leg and note the baby’s reaction.

Observe the baby’s foot movements. Touch and hold the baby’s left foot and note the baby’s reaction. Touch and hold the baby’s right foot and note the baby’s reaction.

This week’s activity is primarily for the observation of your baby’s movements and reactions. By touching the baby’s body parts you are giving the baby his first awareness of his body through the sense of touch.

Wrap the baby securely in a blanket during the first weeks of life. For nine months the baby has been curled up. This makes a baby of this age feel secure. It is like a cocoon.

As you exercise your baby’s body parts throughout the first few weeks, you will notice that the baby will stretch his arms and legs as he adjusts to his new environment. The secure blanket wrapping will not be as necessary.

Talk to your baby. Use brief phrases that reflect your personality. Sing or hum to your baby. If you prefer not to sing or hum, use a music box or a tape recorder and play soft lullabies. This stimulates your baby’s sense of hearing.