Interactive Infant Games

Interaction with adults helps babies to develop and learn.

Every parent's chief concern is ensuring that her infant has the best possible head start in life. Many parents, especially new ones, aren't sure how to respond to all of an infant's needs in a way that will ensure a developmental advantage. Babies, meanwhile, are always busy figuring out themselves and their environment. There are many interactive activities you can do to make sure an infant takes the necessary steps when the time is right.

Open the Hanger

Once an infant is eating semi-solid foods such as pureed fruit or vegetables, this game gives meal times a fun and interactive quality while ensuring that the infant is receiving proper nutrition. With each spoonful of pureed food, "fly" the delivery toward your infant's face while making airplane noises, and land the spoon in his mouth when he opens it.

Little Piggies

The "Little Piggy" game is a tactile activity in which parents lay the infant on its back and wiggle each of its toes, starting from the largest one. As each toe is wiggled, a refrain is repeated describing some activity or location and ascribing it to each piggy: "This little piggy went to the market, this little piggy stayed home." The infant should respond with laughter and should learn to anticipate the climactic tickling session at the end of the activity.

Peek-A-Boo

The game of peek-a-boo is appropriate for infants more than six months old, who will be developing a sense of objective permanence. Infants at this age are beginning to understand that objects exist even when not directly viewed. Cover your face with your hands or a blanket, then reveal it and exclaim "peek-a-boo!" The child should respond enthusiastically.

Exercise

Gentle and simple exercises are important to help an infant's muscle development. As babies approach their first birthday, they become much more mobile, crawling and walking and "furniture surfing". Encourage them in this by placing desired toys out of reach and cheering them on as they work to attain it. Infants can also chase blown bubbles and beach balls around the room. You can also play music and encourage them to dance.

References

• Kids Games for Playing: Infant Games