“I can make things happen!” That’s what your baby may be figuring out now. Here are some toys and activities to help your six-month-old learn about cause and effect, and encourage other learning through play.
She can sit up with only a little support—or maybe none at all
When he drops something, he looks for it
She enjoys simple games like peek-a-boo or pat-a-cake
He can bang a toy and shout at the same time
She participates in activities that center around her
Action/reaction toys
Laugh & Learn™
Storybook Rhymes
Laugh & Learn™ Learning Toolbench™
Laugh & Learn™ Learning Puppy™
Help your baby learn more:
Lights! Music! Action! Start by demonstrating some of the toy's specific features, showing baby how to start the action, lights, or music.
What will happen? As you play, encourage baby to do something with the toy … he'll be greeted with a fun surprise that will make him want to play again and again!
Roly-poly bat-at toys
Go Baby Go!™ Bat & Wobble Penguin
Growing Baby™ Clutch Ball
Laugh & Learn™ Singin’ Soccer Ball
Help your baby learn more:
Watch what happens! A roly-poly toy is perfect for this stage because baby can make it move without causing it to roll away. At first, make the action happen yourself so baby can see what it’s all about, then watch what baby does in response.
You can do it … To encourage baby to move her developing muscles, put this toy within view, at arm's length away. Baby will want to move toward it to get a closer look.
Tummy-time fun. Put a roly-poly toy on the floor in front of baby where he can easily see its bright colors when he lifts his head up. Baby can bat at it to make intriguing action happen. Freshen the challenge by occasionally alternating from baby’s right to left side.
Stacking toys
Growing Baby™ Animal Stack & Nest Blocks
Brilliant Basics™
Stack & Roll Cups™
Growing Baby™ Tiger Stacker
Help your baby learn more:
Describe it. Use stacking toys to introduce other simple words and descriptions, like big and little, or top and bottom. You can also use these toys to reinforce understanding of cause and effect.
What color? Help your child make connections between words and concepts by talking about colors: “That's the big yellow cup.”
Toys to invite early role play
Laugh & Learn™ Peek-a-Boo Cuckoo™
Laugh & Learn™
Rumble & Learn Driver™
Brilliant Basics™ Friendly Flip Phone™
Help your baby learn more:
What’s that sound? Take baby on a "sound" tour of your house. Ring the doorbell, turn on the clock's alarm, start the computer. As you make your way through the house, tell baby what each sound means: "Company's coming! … Time to get up … I'm going to check my email."
Makin’ it happen. To foster awareness of cause-and-effect relationships, let your child turn a light switch or a faucet on and off and see how her actions make things happen.
Everyday play. Open the cupboard and pull out pots, pans and wooden spoons. Watch baby smile as he realizes, "I made that sound!" As he plays, talk to him about what you see and hear. He'll enjoy the sound of your voice, and you'll be helping his speech develop.
Toys to encourage crawling
Go Baby Go!™ 1-2-3 Crawl-Along Snail
Help your baby learn more:
Play active games to exercise gross motor skills. When babies’ feet press against a solid surface, they stretch out their legs. This is called the “walking reflex,” and you can use it to help your baby practice for crawling!
Place baby on tummy
Put a fun, colorful toy a few inches from baby’s head and call attention to it
Sit behind baby with your legs or hands pressed against her feet
Let your baby push against the pressure, causing her to move forward
Keep moving the toy and pushing against baby’s feet until she’s moved forward
Let’s roll! Roll or slide a toy back and forth across the floor to each other. It can be a good workout for baby's eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity.
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.
Abracadabra
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Play a magical game of “Where did it go?” with your baby, and make a toy disappear right before his eyes—without mirrors! He will soon be on to you, and will realise that the toy didn’t disappear, but is still in your hand.
Materials
A favourite toy
Instructions
Find a bright toy that will fit into your hand.
Lay your baby on his back and let him see the toy.
Let your baby hold the toy for a few minutes to explore it.
Gently take the toy from his hands and place it in your palm.
Close both hands and show your baby your closed fists.
Ask your baby, “Where did it go?”
When your baby looks puzzled, open your hand and show him the toy, saying, “Here it is!”
Repeat the game, alternating hands and toys.
Safety
Be sure the toy is not too small, so your baby won’t choke on it when he examines it.
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