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Your baby is just beginning to gravitate toward interesting sounds and words. This singing game illustrates that point while catering to babies' love of surprises.
Appropriate for: 2 to 7 months
Skills developed: Verbal, sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: No equipment necessary
Sing the classic nursery song "Pop! Goes the Weasel," but highlight the element of surprise with sound effects and actions. Start out softly and slowly: "'Round and 'round the cobbler's bench, the monkey chased the weasel, the monkey thought 'twas all in fun..." (then raise your voice to finish): "Pop! goes the weasel."
Try it again, clapping your hands on the word "pop." Now go again, this time slapping your hand lightly on the floor or a nearby padded surface such as a bed or chair. Grab a stuffed animal and make it jump up into the air on the word "pop."
This song can work wonders as a distraction during diaper changes and is also great for keeping your baby awake on short car rides when you don't want him to nap just yet. If he seems startled rather than pleased when you get to the ending, tone things down a bit.
At this age, babies like to be held and carried upright, and adding music makes this new perspective even more fun.
Appropriate for: 3 to 6 months
Skills developed: Motor strength and balance, head control
What you'll need: Music
Stream radio or turn on the music player, then hoist your baby onto your hip. With your free hand, hold up his hand, as if you're waltzing. As you listen to the tunes, gently rock your hips back and forth, taking careful steps or turning in circles as the rhythm moves you. Sing along if you like.
Your baby will enjoy not only being close to you, but also the new view of things from on high. Pause now and then to let his eyes settle on something, and point out things he can see from this height: items on shelves, pictures on the wall. When the song ends, hold him under each arm and gently swing him in a circle.
Remember: Each baby develops at a different pace, so if yours isn't quite ready for this week's activities, don't worry – just try them again in a few weeks.
Visit your 3-month-old, week 1 page