As eye-hand coordination improves, your four-month-old will enjoy greater interaction. Play simple games or offer activity toys to help your baby start to understand cause and effect.
She may recognize familiar faces and take an interest in others
With your help, he can reach for things
She laughs, squirms and squeals with delight
He's interested in watching his hands move
She can grasp toys that she touches
Swings and Rockers
Newborn-to-Toddler Portable Rocker
Precious Planet™ Blue Sky™ SpaceSaver Swing & Seat
Help your baby learn more:
Infant play gyms
Kick & Play Piano Gym
Help your baby learn more:
What do you see? Get down at floor level to get baby’s view of overhead toys. This will help you know where to position her for the best vantage point. Change your baby's position every once in a while to freshen the view.
Play together to encourage communication and add fun to playtime. Pick a time when baby is in an active play mode, not sleepy or hungry or overly stimulated. You'll be able to tell; if the toy looks too busy for him at the moment, he'll close his eyes.
Talk about it. To help your baby learn there's a connection between words and actions, move the parts and talk about them as you go: "Shake-shake-shake. See the silly little face smiling at you?"
Hum or sing along to the music on the gym and point out light-up features. The more you talk to your baby and directly engage him, the more you're benefiting his development.
Children develop at their own pace and reach milestones at different times. The highlights mentioned in this website are approximate guidelines only. If you have any questions about your child's development, consult your healthcare provider.
Hats Off
Average Rating
Your baby is just getting used to recognizing faces, when you introduce the Hats Off game! Your baby won’t be fooled for long, but he’ll enjoy the fun of taking off the hat and putting it back on again.
Materials
Variety of hats
Infant seat
Your face and head
Instructions
Collect a variety of hats around the house, or buy inexpensive hats from a thrift shop or party store. Try to include a baseball cap, a knit cap, a funny hat, a firefighter’s hat, a clown hat, a bowler, a beret, a pair of earmuffs, or a fancy, feathery hat. (Don’t include masks in your play. They tend to scare babies at this young age.)
Place your baby in his infant seat on the floor and sit facing him.
Put the first hat on your head and make a funny face as you say something interesting, such as, “Look at me!” or, “I’m a firefighter!”
Lean toward your baby so he can grasp the hat and pull it off, or pull the hat off yourself.
Repeat several times with one hat before moving on to another hat.
Safety
Sometimes babies get scared when people’s appearances change. If your baby starts to get upset, put the hat on only briefly, then remove it and show him you’re still mum/Dad. If he continues to be upset, play the game at a later date.
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