|
Daddy's
Corner:
Real Stories from Real Dads
| 7 Ways to Be Your Baby's Favorite Toy |
| (Parenting Magazine, September, 2001) |
There's nothing wrong with store-bought playthings, but here
are fun, stimulating things you can do better:
1. Reinforce the "Aha!"
Think of your baby as a budding scientist and watch for moments of
revelation: the smile in the bath that means "Yes! The rubber duck
comes when I get wet!" The waving arms that translate as "When
Daddy makes that face, I'm going to be tickled!" Fulfill your infant's
simple expectations and share her joy at being right.
2. Hold your baby upright when he's alert
Infants see most clearly when they're vertical, not horizontal. So prop him
up in your lap to show him new objects, and hold him up to look over your
shoulder when you take him on a tour of his brand-new world.
3. Develop facial as well as verbal dialogues
Well before babies can even baby talk, you'll see your infant replicate your
facial expressions. Make different faces and watch how her interest perks
up. "Listen" and respond to her expressions.
4. Rock 'n' roll
To satisfy your baby's craving for motion, waltz him around the room, swing
him gently to and fro, bounce him slowly up and down, sit in a swivel chair
and see how he takes to a spin in your lap.
5. Encourage tastings
Think of her mouth as a sensuous space probe, gathering data about her
personal cosmos. Avoiding objects too small, sharp, or grimy, let her lick
that soup spoon, gum that mug, or chomp on the hem of your sleeve.
6. Read aloud
Don't worry about "big words." Nursery rhymes, Oprah's selection
of the month, the newspaper — the more variations in language a baby
hears in his favorite voices, the more captivated he'll be. Choose some
books with lots of repetitive language, which babies like for its
predictability.
7. Sing — with or without words
Forget the lyrics to your favorite lullaby? Hum it. Musical notes without
all those consonants and vowels are a simpler and often more soothing form
of stimulation. |
