The best thing you can do for your baby is to provide the right environment for stimulation through a variety of activities. Here in this post I will be sharing 5 simple activities for babies to stimulate better brain development.
Want smarter kids? Why not create an environment that is full of various activities early in childhood? Studies have shown early stimulation through activities leads to better brain development in kids. Encouraging your infants and toddlers with everyday activities is a fun way to stimulate their developing brain. The best thing you can do for your baby is to provide the right environment for stimulation through a variety of activities. Here in this post I will be sharing 5 simple activities for babies to stimulate better brain development.
But first, what is the essential for a baby’s brain development?
As a mom, the single best thing that you can provide your baby is your breastmilk. Breastmilk is not just food for babies, it contains vital immunity boosting antibodies, healthy enzymes that line the gut. Breastmilk is also known to reduce the risk of viruses, urinary tract infections, respiratory infections and many more.
Did you know, 90% of the baby’s brain growth happens up to 1 year of age? The first six months are crucial because a baby thrives on breastmilk only and not even water. Breastmilk contains vital nutrients like DHA, Natural Vitamin E, choline, iron that are all responsible for good brain development. A mother’s diet, hence, needs to be enriched with foods rich in DHA and Natural Vitamin E and if required fortified with supplements like SimMomIQ+ that support breastmilk formation.
Along with breastfeeding, provide an environment for your baby where he feels protected, loved and finds ways to fulfil their curiosity. Stress is bad for even babies. A baby needs the environment where he is emotionally secured. Simple things like oil massage, singing, reading, playing peekaboo helps in infant cognition and better brain development in kids. These are ways you Feed IQ to your baby.
#1 Stimulation activities for babies (0 to 3 months old) – Sound and Touch Activities
The first three months in a baby’s life is crucial because they are putting on weight and adjusting to the world outside the womb. Feed, sleep, nappy change can be the only thing that your baby is doing for first few weeks. But slowly introduce activities like Massage Time, singing, rocking, taking out for short walks, play peek-a-boo.
#2 Stimulation activities for babies (3 to 6 months old) – Movement and Sound Activities
By the time they are 3 months old their vision gets better and they can detect and follow movement and sound. Invest in a play gym mat, rattles, hang colourful toys on the crib so that they can watch and follow the movement. Singing to them, or reading out a story is also a good way to stimulate their brains.
#3 Stimulation activities for babies (6 to 12 months old) – Sensory Toys
By the time your baby is 6-8 month old he has learnt to sit up. Introduce sensory toys like books with texture, introduce finger foods around 7 months, make obstacle games with pillows and cushion, stacking ring games etc. Once they learn standing up give them toys that can be pushed.
#4 Stimulation activities for babies (1 yr to 1.5 old) – Talking
Talking, singing, reading forms brain synapses that help in developing language. The more they listen to conversations, songs the easier it is to pick up. Even if your baby doesn’t know how to speak and only can say few words, keep talking to them. Ask them questions which they can answer in one or two words. Start with yes and no, they find these easier to respond to.
#5 Stimulation activities for babies (2 yr old) – Role Play
By the time your baby is 18 months to 24 months old he has already learnt to say words and perhaps sentences too. Do games like pretend play and role play. Kids learn by observing, learning and doing. It promotes imagination and creativity.
When you provide an integrated environment at home or child care facility to promote these stimulations they end up in helping the brain development in babies.
16 comments
Creating a stimulatory environment for babies is very important to support their growth & brain development. These 5 activities are simple yet amazing to stimulate a baby’s cognition. Nice post, Tina!
You provided all the points related to stimulation in a very organised way. The environment with good stimulation is good for babies.
The list broken down into age bucket is fabulous. Creating the right atmosphere for a baby to thrive in is of utmost importance
this is such an informative article. I am sharing this with my friend. her daughter just turned 4 months old!
This is a very helpful post to show moms how to stimulate kids the right way from early on.
Love the tips you shared. It so important in the early years to develop your kids mind as they learn fastest then.
Creating an environment where the kids can learn well is really important for their overall development and these activities can really help stimulate their brain as well as boost their confidence to face the world. Great Post.
Creating an environment where the kids can learn well is really important for their overall development and these activities can really help stimulate their brain as well as boost their confidence to face the world. Great Post..
Stimulation is very important for kids and if it happens in an organised way it will be more effective with great results. The 5 steps are well described.
Thanks for sharing such an informative post, this is really helpful for all new mom’s with growth and development of Baby
Even though most of it are usually done by almost all the moms, they might not be know how well it’s helping the baby in their growth. I’m glad you made it a post
great activity , my kid is now 2 year old and he pretend and play with his sister kitchen house or shopping
Sensory toys are a good idea for babies. And, I had no clue that we can start working with babies right from the beginning in terms of brain development
Many new parents wonder wjat they can play with the new borns. Options might seem limited when it comes to think of brain development activities for that age window but they are there. You have explained everything very clearly.
Very organized list of activities for the different age group of kids. Totally agree with all the points and especially 2 year old and more…as im at the same stage.
These activities are really helpful for growing children. You have explained and covered this pretty well Tina.. 🙂