Babies are naturally inquisitive. They start experimenting with their new bodies from the moment their eyes open. This starts with movements so small that you might not see them. It continues through play and games until your child goes to school.
These simple games and play all have a very important purpose: your baby is finding out what the body can do and working out how the world works. Your child is also developing motor skills by getting lots of practice at moving different body parts.
You are your baby’s main audience. Give your child lots of praise, and be amazed at your child’s developing movement skills and achievements. This makes your baby feel great, and fosters the self-confidence your child needs to try lots of new things.
What to expect
- In the first eight weeks of life, your baby will have no control over movements. All physical activity is either involuntary or a reflex.
- From the first few moments of life, when you stroke your baby’s cheek, your baby will turn to that side to suckle.
- Your baby will soon begin to uncurl fists and swipe at dangling objects.
- By six weeks old, your baby will start to figure out how to turn both eyes in the same direction at once. You’ll have less of those disconcerting cross-eyed stares.
- Somewhere between four and eight weeks, babies learn to lift their heavy little heads while lying on their tummies.
- By about two months, your baby is likely to discover legs. Your baby will enjoy kicking, especially in the bath or when out of a nappy.
- By about three months, babies start watching their hands and feet waving around. They also start to move their hands towards your face or a toy. Your baby is discovering what the body can do.
- Your baby can see from birth. But babies can focus only on things closer than 20-30 cm from their faces for the first few months.
Your baby will be keen to copy your facial expressions almost from birth. If you give babies a big, bright grin, they will try to do the same. Frown – and you’ll see that coming back at you too.
Play ideas to encourage movement
- Put your baby on her tummy. This helps her learn to hold up her head and develop her neck muscles. If she’s unhappy on her tummy, try again in a day or two. Your baby is the best guide to what she finds fun.
- Try putting a toy or rattle in your baby’s hand. Between one and three months, he will hold on to it.
- Put some fun, bright objects in front of or above your baby. This will encourage your baby to reach for them voluntarily. She might start doing this by about three months. You can put toys within easy reach by attaching a frame over a pram or bouncer and hanging toys from it.
- Give your baby a chance to play on the floor and experiment with his body. Try not to rush him into doing things before he’s ready. Just enjoy watching him play.
Babies develop at their own pace with little regard for what the experts say. If you have concerns about your baby’s development, it’s a good idea to see your health professional. Give this some thought if you’ve noticed that your baby seems unusually floppy or stiff, doesn’t startle when there is a loud noise nearby, or doesn’t seem interested in you.
