Is Living Fun?

When you hit the hay at the end of most days can you review your baby/toddler’s day and feel confident that he had fun?  That doesn’t mean every second had to be filled with giggles, but overall, that little motion machine should have had a day filled with fun, interesting, and information-filled activity.

If it wasn’t and your baby spent much of his day whining and fussing, you may need to rethink the order of the day.  Perhaps your baby was in day care while you worked.  Be certain that it is a bright, happy, safe, and busy place.  If it is, your little guy will probably be content to spend a little time playing without your being right with him in the evening.  I would suggest, however, that you take at least ten or fifteen minutes once you are at home to cuddle and interact with him.  He misses you while the two of you are apart.

Should you be a stay-at-home mom, you need to be careful about how you spend your day.  Preschoolers under two years of age should not be allowed to watch TV.  I’ve had parents tell me that “she likes it”.  Keep in mind; young children have no sense of what is good or bad for them.  It is the responsibility of the parents to determine what their wee ones should and shouldn’t eat, see, hear, etc.  Sometimes this means we must forego shows we really want to see.

Games need not be complicated.  In fact, as a general rule, the simpler the game, the better it is.  Very young children have “magical thinking”.  If a toy disappears under a blanket, to a baby, it no longer exists and he doesn’t look for it.  To help your wee one learn that an object still exists, even though it’s out of sight, hide a bright toy under his blanket as he watches.  Ask him, “Where did it go?”  You might need to leave a corner of the toy peeking from under the blanket until he gets the idea.

Playing peek-a-boo is another game/activity to play with your baby to help with this necessary skill.  Eventually you can completely hide a toy under a sheet of paper, a towel, or blanket and he will instantly grab the cover to expose the goody underneath.  Your baby now understands “object permanence”.  He is so smart and you helped make him that way.  Good job!

A baby isn’t born understanding that the reflection in the mirror is him.  Help him by holding him in your arms and standing in front of a mirror and waving to his reflection.  Encourage him to wave so that he sees the handsome little guy waving back.  You may make silly faces.  Have your son watch you then watch your reflection as you make the same silly face.  This game has been known to calm a fussy baby.  Now that’s a very good thing.  Have fun so that your baby also has fun. And you can feel good about providing what he needs in a fun, entertaining way.  Sleep gently, you earned it.

©2012 Brenda Holland-Robinson