Babies start learning from the minute they are born.  Over the course of their first year they learn so much, there are a lot of activities that you can do with infants to help with development.

Below are a few activities for ages 9-12 months:

• A Bath Surprise: While your baby is in the bathtub, show him/her a floating toy.  Cover the toy up with the wash cloth and ask “Where is the toy?” Remove the wash cloth and say, “Hooray, her it is.  It was hiding under the wash cloth.”
• Give Me the Toy:  Pick a couple of your baby’s favorite toys.  Hold each toy and say its name.  Place the toys in front of your baby and ask for one.  Praise your baby, when they pick up the right toy.  Put one of the toys behind your back and ask where the toy is.
• Look I can Pour!:  Place paper cups filled with dry cereal in front of your baby.  Show your baby how to pour the cereal from one cup to the other.  Let your baby try it.  Once your baby masters the dry objects, you can try water!
• Simple Directions: Think about all the different simple directions you can give your baby.  SOme examples are picking things up, putting things down, bringing things to you, rolling things…

Do you have any fun activities that you do with your infant?  Please let us know!

Reference: Games to play with Babies by Jackie Silberg

Ashley Myers