The holidays are right around the corner and my kids are re-arranging the gifts under the tree practically every night.

They can barely restrain themselves. 

In fact, my presence is the only thing keeping those presents in tact.

My husband decided that Dora the Explorer, Tinker Bell, Rainbow Dash, and other favorite characters were all "giving gifts" this year, and the kids think it's hilarious to see that Kermit the Frog gave them a Christmas gift.

But I digress.  What's under the tree for Merry Mothers?  (Sorry...no diamonds this year...)

In the past 6 months, the most requested topic I've received by my subscribing friends was this:

Heather's Disclaimer:  There is a HUGE difference between a 3-week-old and a 3-month-old. 

If it looks like your baby isn't "getting" the game, set it aside for a while.  

I have a lot of good memories playing baby games with my children.  You can peek at the infant activity books I have on  my shelf by clicking here.

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0-3 Month Games

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The muscles that control eye movement have to be exercised and learn to work together.  This lack of control is why many babies appear to be cross-eyed in the first few weeks of life. 

Lay your baby on a blanket on the floor and hold a ribbon or bow above her, slightly to the side. 

As she focuses on the ribbon, slowly move it to the left and to the right.

Don't go too fast! If she loses sight of the toy, she'll assume it doesn't exist and lose interest.

The closer your baby is to the 12-week mark, the more likely she'll start reaching for the object. 

Way to go little over-achiever!  That's the next step!  If she reaches, reward her and let her touch the object (supervised, of course).  

For Martha Stewart Moms:  Using a pair of booties or colorful socks, securely sew on a pair of jingle bells on the toes.

For Barely-Making-It Moms (like myself):  Pick up a pair of Foot Finders

Lay him on a soft blanket on the floor and put on the booties.  Gently move his legs around so he can hear the bells, encouraging him to kick his legs and make the sounds all by himself.

You can see the newborn toys that won innovation awards in 2010 by clicking here.

3-6 Month Games

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Going on a Sleigh Ride

Take your baby on a sleigh ride around the house. 

Whet his appetite for movement with this easy game.

There are basically to ways you can set this up. 

First, get a small box, pad it with pillows, and set your baby in so he's sitting up safely. 

You may need to cut the sides down so he can see out.  Then poke two holes in the front and thread through a rope or scarf. 

Or, if you'd rather not be "crafty", you can do this activity using a Bumbo Baby Seat and a large beach towel.  

In any case, gently pull him around with big smiles and perhaps even a few holiday songs. 

What skills does this activity work on?
Builds balance, encourages head and neck control,
and helps improve her visual tracking skills.

Ornament Grab

You'll notice that at around 3 -4 months, your baby will start reaching out to grab things. 

This is an important first step on the road to mobility.  Why?  Because he is learning that he has the ability to move those chubby little appendages! 

Encourage this desire to touch, to send that brain signal "I want this" and turn it into a S.T.R.E.T.C.H. and then a successful touch. 

Dangle a plastic ornament about 6 inches in front of his face.

The bright color and reflection will entice him to touch it.

Swing the ornament from side to side, and watch as he reaches across his body to swat the ornament himself!

What skills does this activity work on?
Eye-hand coordination and problem solving skills
(I want this...how do I get it?)

You can find other great developmental toys designed just for 3-6 month-olds by clicking here.

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6-9 Month Games

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Holiday Story Time!

This is the perfect age to start reading books to your infant (if you haven't already). 

She is old enough to become interested in the pictures, but is still somewhat immobile. 

Every year I purchase a new Christmas book (or two) to add to our collection. 


These books are packed away with our decorations, so it's become a big deal when they finally get to read them.

You can start this same tradition now, by investing in some high quality holiday board books.  Why board books? 

The thicker pages are not only harder to tear, but are the perfect thickness for chubby fingers.

Turning pages provides an excellent opportunity to practice their pincer grasp, the vital skill she needs to  self-feed.

Here are a few of the high-quality holiday board books:

• Baby Elf's Christmas by Jane Cowen-Fletcher
• My First Christmas by Tomie dePaola
• Hanukkah Lights by David Marlin
• One Shining Star: A Christmas Counting Book by Anne Kennedy

How does Story Time help your baby?
It is helpful in language development and word association; turning pages helps build up fine motor skills.

Find out why reading time is so important to your baby's healthy development, and see which books I have on Bella's shelf by clicking here.

In case you missed the right column, Robeez is running a promotion right now offering a free board book of The Very Hungry Caterpillar with a matching special set of booties.

You can see the boy's caterpillar set and the girl's butterfly booties.

What's Inside?

Take some leftover scraps of wrapping paper and loosely wrap a few of her favorite toys.  (Let the toy peek a little to encourage exploration.)

She will be thrilled at the sensation of ripping paper. 

This easy game helps her understand the concept of "object permanence".    That is, that even though she can't see an object, it's still there.

You can see other 2010 award-winning toys that will help develop that abstract concept by clicking here.

What skills does this develop?
sense of touch,
problem solving (How do I get inside?)
fine motor skills, pincer grasp

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9-12 Month Games

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Christmas Surprise Box

Take two small containers (a shoebox or empty wipes container works well) and fill them with interesting Christmas items.

For example, try plastic ornaments (shape), stuffed holiday toys (texture),  tinsel (color), bells (sound), evergreen (smell), and other fun objects.

As he takes things out of the box say "Out" and when he puts them inside, say "In". 

Encourage further word recognition by saying "Open" and"Closed" when playing with the box.

What skills does this develop?
size and shape discrimination,
 concepts of "in", "out", "open" and "closed"
fine motor skills, pincer grasp
language skills

Tube Talk

Take an empty wrapping paper roll and cut it into two pieces.

Take one tube, place it to your mouth and talk through it.  Give her the other tube and encourage her to make noises through it.

Try making animal noises, singing silly songs, and blowing raspberries into the tube. She'll laugh at all of it!

Keep in mind that the tube is going to get soggy.  Take care that she doesn't eat any of it!  Tubes are not good eats for babies!

What skills does this work on?
articulation, language development
listening skills

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12 + Month Games

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Holiday Obstacle Course

Encourage your baby to start walking by helping him through a holiday obstacle course!

This fun game helps him to keep his balance and develop his eye-foot coordination as he practices lifting them up and putting them down in a "safe" spot.

On a flat surface, arrange various Christmas pillows, soft decorations, pine cones, or other easily accessible holiday things lying around the house.

Choose one particularly-tempting toy and place it at the other end of the room.

Holding your infant's fingers if necessary, help him to walk around the objects, praising him as he maneuvers around to the "prize" at the other end of the room.

What skills does this work on?
eye-foot coordination, balance,
building up lower body strength

Bows On Her Toes

This is one of Bella's favorite games.  It's a guaranteed distractor and cry-stopper.

Take a bow and stick it on her hand.  The bright colors will encourage her to take it off.

Stick the bow on her head, feed, on your nose...anywhere she may enjoy taking it off. 

This game is also very successful with a looped piece of scotch tape. 

She will be fascinated when she tries to take it off one hand, only, 'lo and behold!  It's stuck on the other hand!

What skills does this work on?
cognitive problem solving, fine motor skills

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I hope you enjoyed bonding with your baby on some of these activities.  If you'd like to see more fun baby games, you can see my reviews on several infant activity books.