1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 4 Months 5 Months 6 Months 7 Months 8 Months 9 Months Birth 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 4 Months 5 Months 6 Months 7 Months 8 Months 9 Months 10 Months 11 Months 12 Months 13 thru 18 Months 19 thru 24 Months

Activities

You don't have to spend a lot of money to come up with fun activities for you and your baby to do together. Here are some good ideas that can also help your little one develop.

In the Jug

Wash out a milk or juice jug with a handle. Get six or eight old-fashioned clothespins (without metal springs). While your baby watches, drop the clothespins into the jug and shake it. Shake the clothespins out of the jug and drop them back in. If your baby's very young, he/she'll enjoy the jug as a giant rattle. An older baby may try to empty the clothespins out of the jug and put them back in. Add some background music and encourage the baby to shake the jug in time to the rhythm. This activity helps her learn about cause and effect and develop hand-eye coordination.46

Squeeze Play

Place your baby in a baby pool or bathtub. Put some sponges in the water and show him/her how to squeeze the water out of them. Squeeze the water on your hand and arms. Now give your baby some plastic cups and show him/her how to squeeze the water into the cups. Make a game out of it by saying silly words as you squeeze.46 Never leave your child alone in the bathtub or pool.

Peek-a-Boo Box

Collect a variety of boxes with lids. Cut and tape magazine pictures or family photos to fit inside the bottoms. Put the lids on the boxes and put them on the floor for your baby to explore on his/her own. Talk with him/her about the pictures on the inside, and encourage him/her to play peek-a-boo with the pictures by opening and closing the lids.46

Puppet Time

Put a puppet on your hand and hold it behind your back. Bring the puppet out and say, "Peek-a-boo, (child's name)." Put it behind your back and bring it out over and over until your baby starts anticipating the puppet appearing in a certain place. Next, bring the puppet out at a different place such as above your head or above your baby's head. Always bring it down in front of the baby's face (not too close) when you say the peek-a-boo words. Give the puppet to your baby and see if he/she will imitate you.47

46 "Ages Birth to 5: Activities and Resources," www.coj.net, Web site of the Jacksonville Children's Commission
47 "Brain Games for Babies," http://geoparent.com

The information on this Web site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding you or your child's health.

Consult your physician or dental professional if using another fluoridated product.

Helpful Tips
for Parents

Ponder the Pacifier

Whether or not to use pacifiers is an age-old debate, but the American Academy of Pediatrics gives it the thumbs up through the first year of life. Sucking is comforting, familiar and calming to babies and a pacifier can be the ideal way to provide contentment between feedings.
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Drive Time

You’re always careful to protect your baby from the sun’s harmful rays with sunscreen, clothing and a hat when he’s outdoors. But did you know he also needs protection when he rides in the car for an extended period? The glass in car windows blocks some but not all ultraviolet rays that can cause sunburn, so if possible, move his car seat out of direct sunlight and apply broad spectrum children’s sunscreen to his exposed skin.

Hand in Hand

Are you wondering whether your baby will be right-handed or left-handed? Be patient; it may be months or years before you know for sure. Most babies start showing a preference for reaching for things with their right hands between six and nine months, but it’s not until they’re 18 months or older that they start using their preferred hand more consistently. By age three or four, their handedness should be fairly evident. If it’s not, you may want to talk to your pediatrician.

Source: “How Handedness Develops in Infants,” by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P., www.drspock.com, June 10, 2001