Games for 0-6 month olds

Your newborn baby will sleep for most of his first weeks. He will probably wake for very short periods and so simple games and entertainment is all he needs - remember every single thing he sees is new!. By the end of the first three months your baby will have changed almost completely; he will be able to hold his head up, smile and laugh and games become a much more important (and bigger) part of his day.

Here are some ideas that are simple and will help him to learn about the world around hi

From Birth:

Facial expressions

This is a very simple game that involves just looking at your baby and changing your expression! A newborn baby will love to just gaze at your face, it will help him to feel safe and close to you and as he gets older he may even start to copy some of the expressions you make.

Dangly cloth!

Young babies love to watch objects moving about around them. A good way to entertain him is to dangle a handkerchief or another colourful object over him. He will begin to track it with his eyes and by three months he may even move the game on by reaching out for it. This game is great to develop his skills in tracking an object and also to encourage him to reach and grasp at objects he finds interesting

Mirror baby

If you show your baby a mirror he will gaze at himself in the same fascinated way that he gazes at you or at other human faces. Until he is over a year old he will not recognize himself but nevertheless she will love to look at he mirror baby. As your baby reaches three months old you can start to adapt this game for his improving site and social skills by holding him and letting him look at your reflection next to his, wave and talk and he will probably smile and laugh and “mirror baby and mirror mummy”.

Flying baby

Try holding your baby under his stomach and supporting his head then let him fly slowly around like a plane!....a very simple game but your baby will love seeing the world from a new position, this game can encourage your baby to lift his head and can help to improve neck control.

Rocking

Roll up a towel and lie your baby tummy first on top of it, making sure that she is supported on her head chest stomach and legs then roll him gently around. She will enjoy the chance to move gently like this and this game is another one that will encourage her to lift her own head, you could also try this with a large soft ball.

3-6 months old

By three months your baby's strength has grown significantly she is beginning to understand the world around her and to see patterns in her everyday life. By the time she reaches six months she may sleep for only 2 or 3 hours a day, leaving much more time for play.

Swatting

Dangle a toy in front of your baby and watch her swipe at it. (Remember never to leave your baby alone with a string or ribbon).

Peek-a-boo

Hold a blanket and then lift it over your head, and then peek out from behind it, You could try to talk to him from behind the blanket to make the game more exciting!. At about six or seven months your baby will learn that even when she cannot see an object it still exists this game is a good way to reinforce that important realization.

Tummy lifts

By six months your baby is probably starting to sit up unaided for a few seconds at a time, one way to help him gain enough control and strength in his back and shoulders to allow him to sit up for longer is to allow him to practice lifting his head while lying on his front. To assist him in this roll up a towel and place it under his arms and chest. He will enjoy this game as it lets him see the world around him from yet another point of view.

Baby bubbles

Your baby will probably love to play bubbles, blow some bubbles either from a bought pack or using soapy water and your baby will watch them fall and as he gets closer to six months try to catch them! If he manages to pop some as they float past him he will be delighted by his ability to change and shape his world.