Between three and six months your baby will discover
how to use his hands, putting everything he can into his mouth. He’ll
also be developing a sense of humor, and will enjoy playing with you,
laughing and smiling when you spend time together.
Best toys
Toys that don’t have small parts that come off, or strings or wires that could hurt your baby Rattles are the perfect toy for this age,
and although your baby won’t necessarily be able to control his
movements, he’ll love to make noise—choose one that fits neatly in his
little hand Baby gyms come into their own from three months—choose
one that reacts quickly to your baby’s touch or kicks, allowing him to
spin, grasp, push, pull, and manipulate the hanging objects Squeaky, ringing, or crackling toys respond easily to your baby’s grip Textured fabric toys help your baby explore different sensations Board books
with firm lift-the-flaps are excellent for reading together, and are
also a good chunky toy for your baby to chew on or gaze at on his own Blocks with “surprises” will entertain your baby endlessly; as he examines them he’ll be delighted by what’s inside and the sound they make Although he won’t quite be ready for stacking toys,
rings that fit on to a central spike are a good idea, particularly if
they are resilient enough for chewing, and easy for chubby hands to
grasp Stacking cups make a satisfying noise when banged together, and your little one will enjoy swiping at towers and knocking them down Bath toys that squeak, leak, and float encourage your baby to bat at them and to learn to pour A music box
that responds to your baby’s touch with nursery rhymes or lively music
will astound and amuse him when he learns that he can make things happen
all by himself Toys that pop up
when buttons are easily pressed will provide endless entertainment, and
he will slowly become more adept at actually hitting the right spots to
make the toys jump out
Playtime
This is the perfect age to read
regularly to your baby; he will love sitting on your lap and listening
to the sound of your voice as you point out colorful pictures, make
animal sounds, and encourage him to lift flaps Try books with sounds and music that respond when touched; they will help your baby learn that he can control things himself Place favorite toys just out of your baby’s reach
to encourage him to move toward them—this will also help development of
his balance, hand-eye coordination, and gross motor skills Provide plenty of things for your baby to kick,
including your hands; try to grab his feet as he lifts them, and see
him laugh when he hits the target—make plenty of noise in response Prop your baby up on pillows so that he has a view of his surroundings, this will also strengthen his neck and back Place your baby in front of a mirror: he’ll be fascinated by the “other baby,” and will often smile at and talk to his new friend Encourage his cognitive development, problem-solving ability, and memory by putting a ball under one of his toys or blankets, and encouraging him to find it Show him how to make things happen by himself by banging a wooden spoon on a pot, for example Tickle, cuddle, and play with his arms and legs as he gets used to new sensations and learns what his body can do Don’t forget tummy time, which will encourage a strong neck, excite his curiosity, and get him ready for crawling and rolling
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