280 Results

Parents’ Guide to Encouraging Using Utensils

Read along with the video below! Is baby ready to start using utensils? By about 1 year baby should be able to finger feed themselves. This is an important fine motor skill and it also means baby is ready for utensils! Start with spoons! After they’ve mastered the spoon, try a fork next. You may … Continued

Parents’ Guide to Standing Independently

When does baby first start standing without support? It’s different for every baby depending on their motor skills, but baby will usually start standing independently between 9 and 12 months old—but just for a second or two! As baby learns more about walking, their standing skills will improve too. Can you help them learn to … Continued

Understanding Interoception: The Internal Sense

Have you heard of interoception? This is a sense that helps us know what’s going on inside our body. Interoception helps us realize that we’re hungry, tired, or too hot or cold. Watch to learn more, or read up on the interoceptive sense here. Want to learn more about the senses? Check this out! The sensory … Continued

One Easy Way to Help Prevent Flat Spots

Here’s one of the easiest ways to help prevent flat spots: change the direction baby sleeps each night! Baby will be drawn to look at you from their crib. This causes baby to rest on alternating sides of their head. Remember, baby should always sleep on their back!

Parents’ Guide to Baby Rolling Over During Tummy Time

Tummy Time is an essential move for baby’s development! As baby’s core muscles get stronger and they begin to roll (around 4 months), they may try to roll onto their back during Tummy Time. When baby starts to roll over during Tummy Time it may be tempting to stop doing this position altogether. However, it’s best for baby’s … Continued

Games for Your 52 Week Old Baby | 10-12 Month Games

Games to Play Squeaky Toy Fun: Help baby squeeze a squeaky toy to hear the sound. Next, cover it with a blanket and squeak it again. See how they react to hearing the sound this time and help them pull off the blanket. Helps baby exercise their memory and ability to locate sounds. Bubble Time: Blow bubbles for … Continued

Games for Your 51 Week Old Baby | 10-12 Month Games

Games to Play Tower Time: Use stackable blocks while playing with baby. See how high the tower will go! They might laugh when it all comes crashing down. Helps baby practice developing motor skills. Big Toy Time: Babies at this age love playing with large objects. Place some pillows on the floor and help baby crawl over them. … Continued

Games for Your 50 Week Old Baby | 10-12 Month Games

Games to Play Toy Chest: Show baby where toys are put away so they can crawl to find different toys. You can also have baby help clean up toys by saying simple requests, e.g. “give me” or “put in.”Helps baby learn to follow commands and develop gross motor skills. Tidy Up: Ask baby to pick up scattered … Continued

Games for Your 49 Week Old Baby | 10-12 Month Games

Games to Play Kickin’ Back: Attach a foam or soft ball to a piece of string and dangle it in front of baby within their reach. Have them try kicking ball while on their back, then hitting it while on their tummy. Helps baby learn how to move their arms and legs in new ways and build … Continued

Games for Your 48 Week Old Baby | 10-12 Month Games

Beach-Ball Tummy Time: Blow up a beach ball so it’s almost full, with a soft spot. Hold baby carefully on top of beach ball, tummy down. Roll them back and forth, side to side. Helps baby develop core strength and balance. Obstacle Crawls: Try to encourage baby to crawl over, under, and through various objects at home. Take … Continued

Games for Your 47 Week Old Baby | 10-12 Month Games

Games to Play First Interview: Ask baby questions and encourage response with words, baby sounds, cooing, or babbling. Record the conversation and play it back for baby to hear. Helps baby develop communication skills. Round of Applause: Clap with excitement after baby does something good. Encourage them to clap with you. Helps baby learn how to use movements to … Continued

Games for Your 46 Week Old Baby | 10-12 Month Games

Games to Play Push Toys: Introduce push toys that allow baby to practice walking with some support. You can also use a large cardboard box or laundry basket with heavier items in it for stability. Helps baby develop gross motor skills. Towel Time: Use a dish towel to play peek-a-boo. Ask “Where’s mama?” and when mom appears, say … Continued

Games for Your 45 Week Old Baby | 10-12 Month Games

Games to Play Body Points: Ask baby where their feet are. After they point to them say, “Hello feet!” Keep up activity involving different body parts. Helps baby learn names of body parts. Two Hand Throw: Give baby small, lightweight toys in left and right hands so they can practice throwing with both arms. Helps baby with gross motor … Continued

Games for Your 44 Week Old Baby | 10-12 Month Games

Games to Play Body Reflections: Stand with baby in front of large mirror. Ask baby to point to different body parts when you name them. Helps baby learn to understand receptive language (how to take in messages from others). Play Hokey Pokey: Sit baby upright in your lap and sing the song while taking turns holding each of … Continued

Games for Your 43 Week Old Baby | 10-12 Month Games

Games to Play Inside Surprise: Put a toy or book inside an empty cardboard box. Wrap it with colorful paper or newspaper comics. Clap your hands when baby yanks it open, then announce what’s inside. Helps with language skills, fine motor development, and executive functioning skills. Tray Pick Up: Offer baby food on their highchair tray like cereal … Continued

Games for Your 42 Week Old Baby | 10-12 Month Games

Chore Time: Don’t stop interacting with baby just for chores! When doing chores around the house, point to objects and tell baby what you’re doing. Direct baby’s attention to objects by helping them point their finger. Helps baby learn to focus their attention. Ball Chase: Encourage baby to crawl around inside house. Roll a soft ball across … Continued

Games for Your 41 Week Old Baby | 10-12 Month Games

Wave Hello: Baby may have some stranger anxiety. It is normal for baby to get nervous or shy around new people. Encourage them to wave hello when meeting new people. Helps baby stay calm. Wave Bye-Bye: Baby will start using gestures like shaking their head “no,” or reaching out to show they want “more.” Try teaching them a … Continued

Games for Your 40 Week Old Baby | 10-12 Month Games

Family Meals: Have baby join you at the table during mealtime so they notice the different foods you are eating. Share new, safe, bite-sized foods from your plate. Helps expose baby to different smells and sights. First Time Foods: Give baby new foods first, while they’re still hungry and more open to the new experience. Helps baby to … Continued

Understanding the Vestibular Sense: The Movement and Balance Sense

What does our vestibular (movement and balance) sense allow us to do? It slows us to move smoothly and maintain balance while doing activities like walking and running, and staying upright when we sit and stand. When do we use the vestibular sense? Holding head up Learning to walk Walking on a curb Sliding down … Continued

Understanding Proprioception: The Body Awareness Sense

Let’s look at our proprioception (body awareness) sense. It tells us where our body parts are without looking at them. This sense help with coordination and how much force to use when holding, pushing, pulling, or lifting objects. When do we use proprioception? Brushing hair Playing a sport Holding an egg Writing or drawing Touching … Continued

Meeting Milestones – Encourage Baby to Bring Hands to Feet

How to: Help Baby Reach Both Hands to Play with Feet Activity – Tilt baby’s hips upward. Why it Helps – Baby will feel what muscles they need to use lift their hips against gravity. Activity – Bring baby’s feet into view. Why it Helps – Baby starts to see their feet and reach for … Continued

Parents’ Guide to Baby’s Core

Baby’s core strength is key to their development! Their core strength powers their gross motor skills. Baby’s core can be strengthened from birth through Tummy Time. You can also keep baby active with our Baby Games. Watch to learn more about baby’s core! Want to watch more videos about related topics? Click the buttons below! … Continued

Parents’ Guide to the Importance of Motor Skills

For children of all ages, motor skills are an important part of development. They help us explore independently and learn about the world around us. Here are some ways to strengthen motor skills at any age: Do Tummy Time Play Baby Games Explore these 80+ activities and crafts that will help with fine and gross … Continued

Parents’ Guide to Burping Baby

Burping baby is an important part of their early digestion and feeding development. Many parents have burping questions—how long should baby be burped for? What does typical burping look like? And are their different ways to burp baby? Watch for answers to all these questions! Want to learn more about burping baby? Check out our … Continued

Parents’ Guide to How to Swaddle Baby

Baby’s sleep is so important for their development. In their first few months, baby may like to be swaddled to help calm and comfort them as they prepare to sleep. Swaddling can be tricky, so we show parents make a snug and safe swaddle for their little one. Watch to learn more about the benefits … Continued