The first year of a baby's life is one of great development in many areas, one of which is physical movement. There are several fun ways that parents can help their ensure that their baby is primed to start moving by spending time together doing some gross motor activities for infants.
Control of the neck starts in the baby's first few months of life. The infant will move her head in response to a voice or something interesting in her field of vision. Often, the child will favor one side over the other, so it's best to purposefully stand on the other side to encourage uniform neck muscle development. Playing peek-a-boo, or using a wind-up musical toy, or shaking a rattle are all good ways to stimulate head movement.
"Tummy time" further encourages strengthening and development of the baby's neck muscles, and later the ability to roll over or push up with his arms. Baby lies on his belly on a blanket on the floor, with the parent kneeling nearby providing some form of entertainment such as singing, or waving a colorful toy. The infant will try to lift his head for a better look, and push up with his arms eventually. From the age of 3 months, a toy placed close by can act as an incentive to get the baby to roll over.
Legs need strengthening to prepare them for standing and walking. Parents can start by encouraging baby to kick her legs, by moving them in a cycling motion or playing a toe-tickle game with her. At the age of 6 or 7 months, she may also be able to try supporting her own weight with her legs while be held under the arms and maybe bounced gently by mom or dad.
Arms also play an important role in early movements, particularly for crawling, so it's important to help him strengthen them. With the baby on his back, hold a favorite toy above him so he will be prompted to reach for it. They can also learn how to clap, wave, and shake a toy by copying a parent. When the baby has sufficient neck control, he can also be pulled into a sitting position from lying down using his arms.
Around the age of 4 months, most babies can sit if they are propped from behind. Sitting can be encouraged by the reading to the baby from a colorful board book held at eye level, or by providing her with fun activity centers which call for a seated position rather than lying down, if they are to be fully enjoyed.
At 6 to 9 months of age, most babies have begun to crawl or "scoot" around. The baby is motivated to move if a desired object is placed just out of his reach. He may also have fun with a pillow obstacle course, playing peek-a-boo with a large boxes with holes cut in it, rolling toys across the floor, or hunting for a hidden toy.
Babies are individuals and reach these movement milestones when they are ready. Parents need not be worried as long as the baby is showing progress in his or her gross motor development every month. Through play, most babies can be encouraged to use all four limbs and turn to both sides, if this is not the case, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician or family doctor.
Control of the neck starts in the baby's first few months of life. The infant will move her head in response to a voice or something interesting in her field of vision. Often, the child will favor one side over the other, so it's best to purposefully stand on the other side to encourage uniform neck muscle development. Playing peek-a-boo, or using a wind-up musical toy, or shaking a rattle are all good ways to stimulate head movement.
"Tummy time" further encourages strengthening and development of the baby's neck muscles, and later the ability to roll over or push up with his arms. Baby lies on his belly on a blanket on the floor, with the parent kneeling nearby providing some form of entertainment such as singing, or waving a colorful toy. The infant will try to lift his head for a better look, and push up with his arms eventually. From the age of 3 months, a toy placed close by can act as an incentive to get the baby to roll over.
Legs need strengthening to prepare them for standing and walking. Parents can start by encouraging baby to kick her legs, by moving them in a cycling motion or playing a toe-tickle game with her. At the age of 6 or 7 months, she may also be able to try supporting her own weight with her legs while be held under the arms and maybe bounced gently by mom or dad.
Arms also play an important role in early movements, particularly for crawling, so it's important to help him strengthen them. With the baby on his back, hold a favorite toy above him so he will be prompted to reach for it. They can also learn how to clap, wave, and shake a toy by copying a parent. When the baby has sufficient neck control, he can also be pulled into a sitting position from lying down using his arms.
Around the age of 4 months, most babies can sit if they are propped from behind. Sitting can be encouraged by the reading to the baby from a colorful board book held at eye level, or by providing her with fun activity centers which call for a seated position rather than lying down, if they are to be fully enjoyed.
At 6 to 9 months of age, most babies have begun to crawl or "scoot" around. The baby is motivated to move if a desired object is placed just out of his reach. He may also have fun with a pillow obstacle course, playing peek-a-boo with a large boxes with holes cut in it, rolling toys across the floor, or hunting for a hidden toy.
Babies are individuals and reach these movement milestones when they are ready. Parents need not be worried as long as the baby is showing progress in his or her gross motor development every month. Through play, most babies can be encouraged to use all four limbs and turn to both sides, if this is not the case, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician or family doctor.
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