![]() If you have a pop-up-toy, now is a great time to use it, or check used toys stores. Then help them put items back into the fully open lid. Let them problem solve dumping and or reaching in. Save old clear food containers (Parmesan cheese, beans…) put baby’s favorite toys inside so they can see and are motivated to get them out. This requires baby to use a pincer grasp (pointer and thumb) to grab the item instead of being able to pick it up off the tray with a raking grasp (whole handed). Give baby small snacks (puffs or Cheerios) by holding it in the air. Have baby help you turn pages in the books you’re reading. “Cow, moo,” This helps baby develop language skills (more here) and works on pointing. Point to items in the books and label them or model the sound it makes. More play ideas in our stories on Instagram! More info here.Įncourage baby to hold their bottle with 2 hands and cups with handles and bring them to their own mouth. They will begin by dipping, not scooping, but help them engage in this (messy) process. Start encouraging baby to feed themselves with a spoon. This will cause them to shift their weight to grab the blocks. Place blocks in a half circle just out of reach of your sitting baby. You can also try tucking the tied end into the couch cushions if you have a new sitter. Now it's a rattle, a sensory experience, easy to grab and crawl with. Throw some seasoning containers into an old pair of tall socks and tie a knot at the top. So much great fine motor and sensory work here! Let baby work on picking up, putting down, mouthing and banging. Grab an array of toys - the shape sorter pieces, bath toys, balls, puzzle pieces - and throw them into an empty muffin tin. Putting items in a muffin tin hole makes baby’s little hands have to work harder. Muffin tins are your friend - Baby is now working on picking items up with their whole hand called a raking grasp. This will also help when they begin to pivot on their belly around 4 months. Surround them in a circle with different books and stand them up on end so baby has something motivating to look up at. Remember baby can’t open their hand to let go of a toy on their own yet so you may hear some fussing when they need your help. These items are easy for little fingers to grab and bring to their mouth for exploration. Give baby easy to hold toys like an o-ball, teether, loofa or even a kitchen whisk. Hang "new toys" on links in the play gym - a kitchen whisk, loofa, or old keys to add some new sensory experiences as baby’s hands begin to open. Lay baby on their side and have them reach for and hit a ball or balloon on the floor - big target, easy position (Read m ore on encouraging language development in the first 12 months - yes, you can start this early) Place it in baby’s hand for them and narrate what they’re seeing and feeling. We love this rattle because it’s light weight and has great sensory experiences. This is the beginning of hand-eye coordination. The reach won’t be very coordinated yet but help them hit the target successfully if they’re interested. Hold a ball like this or a black and white picture above baby and let them start to reach toward it. The added touch input helps their sensory system get going too. This is a great time to talk to your baby, sing, and name their body parts. Massage baby’s hands with lotion after a bath or a nap. Verbally label it, “it’s bumpy,” “or this one is cold,” and move slowly so they can really take it all in. Brush washcloths, tissue paper, sweaters, necklaces, leather, anything with an interesting texture across baby’s palm. ![]() ![]() Help baby open their hands by untucking the thumbs. We are part of the Amazon Affiliates program and earn a small commission from items you purchase from our site at no additional cost to you. ![]() We’ve linked some of our favorite toys here in bold for you. 0-2 months - Mostly closed/fisted hands, begins to hold an object placed in the hand ~6 weeksĢ-4 months - Hands begin to open, thumb tucked into palm less often, begin to bat at (hit) toys and hold toys at midline (center of body), brings hands to mouth, starts to push up through extended arms in tummy timeĤ-6 months - Transfers toy between hands, uses a raking (whole handed) grasp, begins to develop an open webspace (the ability to hold a toy between thumb and finger tips without it touching the palm)Ħ-9 months - Consistently releases toys, claps, bangs toys together, holds spoon with a cylindrical grasp (fisted around spoon handle), holds a cup with handlesĩ-12 months - Points, uses pincer grasp (tip of pointer and thumb) to pick up small items, turns pages in book ![]()
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