Baby games for 4 to 6 months
After four months, the colic phase must be over (if not, talk to the pediatrician) and you probably have already managed to get into a sleep routine and the bad nights are over.
Baby starts to interact more with the world around him, and games start to have more movement and sound, with the possibility of those delicious laughs that every baby has. He imitates gestures, pronounces some sounds and is interested in particular objects, often reaching out to for them.
Attention now needs to be doubled. Avoid leaving your baby alone in high places, such as the sofa, for example, because the baby is already rolling. The floor is the best place and always under adult supervision. If you need to leave your baby alone for a while, make sure he is safe.
More than before, this phase is the time to protect the home from accidents. Place heavy, sharp objects out of his reach, including wires. Use protectors for outlets. Be careful with small pieces of toys.
When performing certain activities with your baby, keep in mind that each baby is unique and has his own pace of development, which must be respected and observed. If you think there is a delay in what is expected from a certain age, talk to your pediatrician.
Now, let’s make some suggestions of some activities for you and your baby to have fun times together and still encourage certain actions, always seeking not to over stimulate the baby.
Stimulating attention
Much more than stimulating the senses, from four months, the baby tends to pay attention to sounds and movements. Singing, putting on music, talking and reading stories to your baby are activities that stimulate the baby at all stages of life, even after he is no longer a little baby.
– Choose a cheerful song and make gestures
Children’s songs have existed long before your great-grandparents. As time went by, they gained new adaptations, illustrations and videos on the internet.
Even though it is tempting and practical to put these videos on devices for your baby to watch, try to create moments for you to sing for him, with unique gestures and expressions. Make spider movements that climbs on the wall or show your tongue to the gecko. Your baby will love it.
– Where is it, baby? You found it!
This game evolves along with the baby, who is now apprehensive and looks more closely to where your voice comes from. Hold a handkerchief or cloth in front of you and say “Where’s the baby?” After a few seconds, show your face, appear on either side and say, “You found him”.
– Repeat sounds
Call him or her by name in a cheerful voice and repeat the sounds he/she makes. He/she will nod his head to find out where the sound is coming from, as well as stimulating him/her to make sounds.
– Move objects
Eye movements follow the movement of the head. Move colorful, bright objects from side to side. The rattle is a good option.
Stimulating movement
– Lay the baby face down
A suggestion for this game at this stage is to place toys or objects that the baby can bring to his mouth, close to him and let him choose one. He will try to reach out with his hands and body to take it and almost certainly take it to his mouth.
Another variation of this game is that you also lie him on your stomach and look at your baby. He will love it. A tip is to place the baby on a specific pillow or wrap a towel and place it at chest level, to make the game more comfortable.
– Time to roll
Move the baby from side to side very slowly, as if he were going to roll.
– Humpty Dumpty
An old game that your grandmother played with you. Carefully and slowly, place the baby on your lap and move him back and forth. If you remember the song, it gets even better.
Stimulating the senses
The baby’s senses are stimulated at all times, whether singing, talking, during a walk, in an embrace, during the bath or in a massage. These activities serve to whet curiosity and develop further.
– Textures game
Give your baby touch, plastic, cloth books with different colors and textures. Hold his hands and encourage him to feel each one. Point to the colors and speak their names. It helps develop vision, hearing and touch.
– Sensory rug
Place the baby face down on a sensory mat. There are some in specialized stores or you can create one with safe materials. Encourage him to explore textures, sounds and noises.
– This little piggy
This game stimulates the touch and increases the bond between you, while you play with the baby’s fingers. With his toes it’s even more fun. Search and learn children’s songs or invent one of yours. It’s amazing to get that toothless smile.
