Simple Ways to Connect and Play with Your Newborn
Let's just say it - I don't know how to play with my new baby.
Yes, you do. BUT, you may not realize that it's the simple ways you connect with your little one that is the beginning of play. Babies learn through play. Each time you gaze into his/her eyes and smile, laugh or just stare, your amazing newborn is engaged at the beginning of play.
Early childhood learning begins with a connection. I believe these connections are formed through our senses: touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing. Newborns are like a sponge, literally, soaking up all the love from kisses, to breastmilk to coconut oil during a massage. From your wee whispers in their ear as the sound of your voice calms, soothes and offers reassurance that you are there. You are here to provide those early connections, those learning connections to the new, big world and your son/daughter.
But how can I know my baby is learning from these early connections?
Well, there are some visibly obvious moments, like when you pick up your fussy LO from the bassinet and very soon realize the fussiness has stopped! This is your connection, your bonding and yes, your baby is learning to know your smell, your face outline, the sound of your voice as you shhh them back to sleep. These moments are precious.
A new mom does not need all the toys/books/songs etc...just a few good ones to enhance your baby's learning experience as he/she grows.
Remember all the window shopping you may have done before baby? Perhaps looking at all-things-baby online or at the shops? You may have just purchased a sweet, soft plush animal for their nursery shelf, as most likely you were unsure exactly what to buy. You may have asked yourself, what toys/books are right for my new baby?
Does a newborn actually know that I'm reading him/her a book?
Babies can hold a rattle, right? Will my baby NEED this?
Just so I'm clear, I'm not going to write about the best toys and books for your baby. Each baby is unique, and while some babies absolutely LOVE to play with a ball, some just don't fancy them right away. So I will tell you about a few items that I've seen newborns respond to with smiles, legs kicking, arms reaching, cooing happening, etc... AND new moms are thrilled when they can buy just a few items that have a great review!
Here are some of my favourites, hoping these will give you some ideas!
TOYS BOOKS
Mortimer Moose Little Blue Truck - Alice Schertle
Bright Starts Mirror Dog's Colorful Day - Emma Dodd
O Ball Classic Ball Something From Nothing - Phoebe Gilman
Egg Shakers Wheels on the Bus - Raffi
Bright Starts Links
Let me know what toys/books your baby responds to, and share some suggestions with me too. I'm always looking for real, live research done right at home, by real babies!
Happy playing:)
Rest well,
Christine
Yes, you do. BUT, you may not realize that it's the simple ways you connect with your little one that is the beginning of play. Babies learn through play. Each time you gaze into his/her eyes and smile, laugh or just stare, your amazing newborn is engaged at the beginning of play.
Early childhood learning begins with a connection. I believe these connections are formed through our senses: touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing. Newborns are like a sponge, literally, soaking up all the love from kisses, to breastmilk to coconut oil during a massage. From your wee whispers in their ear as the sound of your voice calms, soothes and offers reassurance that you are there. You are here to provide those early connections, those learning connections to the new, big world and your son/daughter.
But how can I know my baby is learning from these early connections?
Well, there are some visibly obvious moments, like when you pick up your fussy LO from the bassinet and very soon realize the fussiness has stopped! This is your connection, your bonding and yes, your baby is learning to know your smell, your face outline, the sound of your voice as you shhh them back to sleep. These moments are precious.
A new mom does not need all the toys/books/songs etc...just a few good ones to enhance your baby's learning experience as he/she grows.
Remember all the window shopping you may have done before baby? Perhaps looking at all-things-baby online or at the shops? You may have just purchased a sweet, soft plush animal for their nursery shelf, as most likely you were unsure exactly what to buy. You may have asked yourself, what toys/books are right for my new baby?
Does a newborn actually know that I'm reading him/her a book?
Babies can hold a rattle, right? Will my baby NEED this?
Just so I'm clear, I'm not going to write about the best toys and books for your baby. Each baby is unique, and while some babies absolutely LOVE to play with a ball, some just don't fancy them right away. So I will tell you about a few items that I've seen newborns respond to with smiles, legs kicking, arms reaching, cooing happening, etc... AND new moms are thrilled when they can buy just a few items that have a great review!
Here are some of my favourites, hoping these will give you some ideas!
TOYS BOOKS
Mortimer Moose Little Blue Truck - Alice Schertle
Bright Starts Mirror Dog's Colorful Day - Emma Dodd
O Ball Classic Ball Something From Nothing - Phoebe Gilman
Egg Shakers Wheels on the Bus - Raffi
Bright Starts Links
Let me know what toys/books your baby responds to, and share some suggestions with me too. I'm always looking for real, live research done right at home, by real babies!
Happy playing:)
Rest well,
Christine
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