How to Play With a 4-Month-Old Baby

At four months, your baby's becoming more interactive and more interested in engaging with toys and with you. Enjoy your play! (The following information has been adapted from Dr. Segal's book series, "Your Child at Play.")

Things You'll Need

• Baby Blankets
• Squeaky Toys For A Baby
• Microcassette Recorders
• Baby Rattles
• Baby Toys
• Bubbles

Instructions

1. Give your baby two squeak toys, one for each hand. Watch to see if she looks at the hand that's doing the squeaking. When she's older, she'll be able to squeeze both at the same time.

2. Play peekaboo: Put a blanket over your head and come out with a "boo." Or try placing your hands over your baby's eyes, and then lift them off with a smile.

3. Build a cardboard hill and roll a wheeled toy down the ramp. After a while, she'll begin to anticipate the crash as the toy slides down the hill.

4. Play with a rattle: Hold it so she can reach for it with one hand, and then the other. Move it closer and farther away, higher and lower, so she can work on her reaching and grasping.

5. Take off her clothes and let her move about on a firm, flat surface wearing only a diaper. Free from the restrictions of clothing and covers, she'll be able to perform her finest gymnastics.

6. Tape-record her babbling and then play it back for her. See how she reacts to her own voice. Try recording your voice, and watch her response when your voice comes from the tape recorder and not your mouth.

7. Blow some bubbles: She'll enjoy watching them float through the air.

Tips & Warnings

• Let your baby be your guide when selecting activities: What new skills is she working on? What sorts of toys engage her attention? What makes her smile?

• If a particular activity seems stressful or frustrating, stop and give it a try another day.

• Remember that all babies develop at different speeds, usually with spurts and plateaus.

• Consult with your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby's development.