You know those old-fashioned baby rhymes that all grandmas and great aunties just seem to have up their sleeve when there’s a new baby in the family? Well there’s a reason these simple baby games have stood the test of time: you don’t need any fancy props, you can play them anytime, anywhere and oh, babies LOVE them!
Here are four of the best games and why they’re so good for babies:
Peekaboo or Hidey boo
Babies start to appreciate the fun in this at about 4 months of age. This is when they’re getting to grips with the idea of ‘object permanence’ – the realization that things don’t just cease to exist simply because they’re out of sight. First your little one will probably be quietly fascinated as you pop up from behind your hands – don’t make it too sudden or loud – but by around 6 months, he'll be giggling and playing along with you.
Lap Games
Lap games are actually exercises in early language development and pattern recognition. You can start them as soon as your baby’s old enough to hold up her head. With your baby on your lap, gently jiggle her up and down while you sing a song or chant a rhyme – it doesn’t matter what it is, just as long as there’s a rhythm and a rhyme. Surprise her gently at the end by dipping her down between your knees. The older and more robust your little one gets the more exciting or surprising you can make the final dip.
Pattacake Pattacake
All Grandmas know this one! It’s great for babies who can sit up, so from 6 months. You might start out clapping her hands for her as you say the rhyme, but from 9 months your baby will have the coordination skills and spatial awareness to start clapping on her own. The complex task of sitting on your lap while clapping helps babies strengthen their back and improve their balance.
Row row row your boat
Your baby probably won't be sitting up until he’s several months old but this game can help strengthen his back and neck in the early months and it’s great for when he can finally sit up too. Put your baby on his back, propped up on a cushion. Sit facing him, grasp his hands and gently pull him up to a sitting position. His head should follow his shoulders. As you sing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," pull each of his arms in a gentle rowing motion before lowering him slowly back down onto the pillow as you sing the “Merrily merrily merrily” part.
So Grandma might not know how to fold the buggy down with one hand but she does know a thing or two about babies. You are your baby's best 'toy', in fact, you’re essential to their play and learning. So forget the flashcards and Fisher Price for a moment; have some fun the old-fashioned way with these classic games.
