Gross Motor Development in Babies

Lemon Lime Adventures has a whole blog post dedicated to activity ideas for little ones.  Last week I shared some of the sensory activities and this week we are moving on to motor activities.  If you want to check out the whole list, go to http://lemonlimeadventures.com/ultimate-guide-baby-activities/.

These ideas come from http://www.trueaimeducation.com/baby-play-newborn-exercise.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BABY PLAY: NEWBORN EXERCISES

MAY 18, 2014 BY JANINE 

Babies seem so fragile.  I remember shuddering when the pediatrician at the hospital handled my first child so seemingly careless.  After having 3 more children, I now know that doctor was experienced, not trying to harm my baby.   He knew how strong newborns really are.

I’m not saying you can throw them around like rag dolls.  Don’t get me wrong, their neck muscles haven’t strengthened enough to hold up their ginormous head yet.  But if you’ve ever tried to dress a fussy baby, you know how strong they can protest to having their arms put in their sleeves.

So their are lots of fun exercises your baby can do other than just  tummy time.  Here are a few I like to do.

NEWBORN EXERCISES

I love playing with my baby!  Their little faces stare at you with wonder, and you know that they are soaking up the experience and learning so much.  Play is more than just fun!

With all of these exercises, make sure your baby is comfortable and you are present.  If you sense that she is not enjoying it, stop right away.  You’ll also want to consult with your doctor if you have any concerns.

TUMMY TIME REMIX

Yes, this is the most common Newborn Exercise that every pediatrician recommends.  My midwife suggested at least 10 minutes of tummy time a day.  I try to put my newborn on their tummy after every feeding.  Maybe you are picturing your baby on a blanket on the floor for tummy time, but I also like to mix it up.

One of my children’s favorite spots is on daddy’s tummy.  This doesn’t just strengthen their neck and core, but it also creates a bond of trust.  He’s developing a relationship with baby and sometimes that is hard for dads to do if they aren’t involved with feedings.

Another great place is across your knees.  This also helps trapped gas come out.  The important thing to think about with tummy time is that you’re mainly getting them used to being on their tummy.  Some babies hate to be on their tummy so where ever you can get them to do it works.

Have you ever tried a slope?  Make a little ramp with a couple of books under a crib mattress.  Lay your baby facing the lowest part of the mattress so that a little wiggle could end up making them move a little.  This helps motivate your baby, especially when he figures out that wiggling causes him to move, and he will figure that out sooner than you think!

How about a big ball?  A big exercise ball can come in handy.  Try some tummy time on that and slowly move your baby around in a circular motion, front to back, or side to side.

Ok, one more!  This one helps the parent work out too.  Just have your baby do tummy time on the front of your legs.  First, lay on your back and put your knees to your chest.  Place baby on your shins holding their neck with both hands if needed.  Their head should be supported with your knees.  Slowly extend your legs a little bit or gently bounce your legs up and down.  You could also twist your hips from side to side, or just do some small crunches while baby relaxes.

SUPER BABY!

Another, more exciting, tummy time activity you can do is to hold your baby in a super hero position.  Tuck your arm between his legs, and allow his chest to rest on your forearm.  Support his head with your hand if needed.  Then, gently move them around the room and make lots of flying noises.  Your super baby will be working out his neck and back again, but he’ll be learning to trust you too.

BABY SIT-UPS

I wish I could work-out by having other people do sit-ups for me.  That is exactly what you will do for your baby, helping him gain upper-body strength.

Place baby on a blanket on the couch or bed and then hold the blanket on each side slightly above their head with your baby in the middle of your arms.  You can also put your hands under their head for support if needed.

Slowly lift the blanket so your baby comes to a sitting position.  Then lower them back down again.  Baby loves silly faces when you lift him to look into your eyes!

BICYCLE LEGS

My mother used to do this to me even when I was a preschooler and I loved it every time!  Lay your baby on his back and hold his ankles gently.  Slowly move this legs in a circular motion, like he is peddling a bicycle.  Slowly say the word bicycle and then as you move his legs faster and faster, do the same with your voice, saying the word bicycle faster and faster.  After a few seconds, stop, clap and praise your baby.  I bet you get a huge smile!

LITTLE DANCER

All babies love to be held up on their tippy toes.  Newborns need extra support because standing up is very strenuous for them.  Holding your baby under his armpits, gently touch his toes to the ground or your lap if you are sitting in a chair.  Allow him to balance gently with most of his weight supported by you.  A lot of times your baby will kick making it look like he is doing a little dance!

My babies love being gently bounced while held like this, and it often calms them when they are very fussy.  They like it even more when I make silly little noises and sound effects like, beep beep beep, and boop boop boop while I bounce them.

SITTING PRETTY

Obviously, sitting takes practice.  There are lots of ways you can help your baby practice sitting.  I usually put my baby on the couch.  You can put pillows on either side to help prop him up.  A Bumbo infant seat can help strengthen core muscles, but it doesn’t allow them to practice their balance.  So, you’ll want to make sure you are helping them balance without the aid of the seat too.

This idea comes from Sugar Aunts (http://www.sugaraunts.com/2013/03/using-pipe-cleaners-for-fine-motor.html) and is great for working on fine motor skills.

This was the invitation to play that I had set up for the kids.  A cardboard box with holes poked all over, and pipe cleaners. 

 

This was the end result :)

 

 

They all had so much fun creating a work of art with pope cleaners, all while working on their fine motor dexterity, tripod grasp, and eye-hand coordination.

Sensory Play for Babies

I found this blog post that begins with "Learning begins when a baby is born."  I instantly knew that I needed to share the information about how to help your child learn beginning at birth!  Here is the link to the post.  http://lemonlimeadventures.com/ultimate-guide-baby-activities/  Also, below are some of the ideas for sensory play for babies.  Some are messy and some are not so messy, but babies need a variety in order to learn through all their senses!  With the weather warming up, the messy play can be accomplished outside.

http://www.stillplayingschool.com/2013/02/the-importance-and-purpose-of-infant.html
The sense of touch is the first sense to develop in the womb.  Interestingly, it will also be the last sense to diminish in our old age. 

Because of this, it is the primary way that babies learn and socialize.  Kisses, hugs, and cuddles are all sensory ways that babies bond with their families, driven primarily by touch, but also incorporating smell, sight, and sound. (And with eventual open mouthed baby kisses even taste!)

Touch helps babies learn about the environment around them as well as who they are as an individual in space and time. 

Giving different textures to explore will also encourage a baby to start reaching for and grasping objects which is the next physical milestone on the horizon.

I am laying him down for tummy time on varying textures.  We've tried blankets in a variety of materials, different carpets and rugs, and some of E's interesting dress up clothes!  We also sandwich him between two fabrics to let him practice kicking.

http://plainvanillamom.com/2012/04/sensory-bag-for-baby.html

DIY SENSORY BAG

Needed

Freezer Bags (size)

Hair Gel

Duct Tape

Anything you want to add to the bag – I love poms (affiliate) and sequins (affiliate) personally!

Make It

Fill up the freezer bag with hair gel.

Add anything you would like to the freezer bag for a little something for the baby to look at.  I added sequence to one bag and poms to another.

 Next I sealed the bags with duct tape around all four sides.  I went over with the duct tape twice – it may be overkill but I wanted to be sure.  I liked to jazz it up a bit when it came to the duct tape!

If you really want to make sure that the bag is secure you can add contact paper around the outside of the bag.

That’s it!  You have your sensory bag(s) for your baby to enjoy!

A great activity to encourage tummy time!

Like most things the bag found its way to his mouth! This activity should always be supervised when playing with baby.  It’s also a good reason why you want to make sure that your bag is secure so your baby can’t bite through it.

4 Messy Sensory Activities

http://www.learnplayimagine.com/2013/03/5-messy-sensory-bins-for-babies-and.html

1.  Cloud Dough

Cloud dough is made up of two common household items, flour and oil.  I first read about cloud dough on Flights of Whimsy and followed the recipe exactly.  After that first experience I switched to using cooking oils, because they can be safely ingested.  Please do not use baby oil with babies and young toddlers.

Ingredients:

• flour
• cooking oil

Directions:
Combine 8 cups of flour for every 1 cup of oil.  For a smaller bin cut the recipe in half.

2.  Oobleck
Oobleck is also made using a common pantry staple.

Ingredients:

• cornstarch
• water

Directions: 

Combine equal parts of cornstarch and water, or slightly more cornstarch than water.  I add water to cornstarch slowly until I get the consistency I want.  I can always add more water, but I usually have a set amount of cornstarch on hand.  You don’t want the Oobleck too runny.  Mix well with your hands until you can scoop a handful of Oobleck and almost make a ball.  The ball quickly turns to a liquid and drips through your hands.  The Oobleck should feel solid in your hands for a second.

3.  Cooked Pasta

Cooked pasta is one of the easiest and safest ways to make a sensory bin for babies who are old enough to eat solids.

Ingredients:

• pasta
• food coloring

Directions:

Cook pasta according to directions.  You can choose to add food coloring to the water while boiling or add food coloring to the pasta after cooking and mix well.  Store the pasta in an airtight container in the fridge to reuse for up to a week.

4.  Jello

Jello is so easy to make and clean!  We limit jello play to avoid the artificial ingredients and sugars, but it is fun to bring out once in awhile.  Jello is squishy, colorful, bouncy, sticky, and it has such a sweet scent.  I like using Gelatin, so I can color and flavor it myself.

Ingredients:
Jello or Gelatin

Directions:
Cook according to package instructions.  Add colors or spices as desired.

What To Say To An Angry Child

This is a repost from Lemon Lime Adventures.  It's that time of year when kids are dealing with Cabin Fever and being able to play outside on that one good day doesn't quite cut it.  Then throw in Daylight Savings Time and expect 2 weeks for kiddos to be able to regulate themselves.  This all leads to Angry Children.  Hopefully this post will provide helpful information for parents to guide their little ones through the tough times. 

Please click the link for  more ideas on helping a child calm.  http://lemonlimeadventures.com/13-helpful-phrases-calm-angry-child/

Doors slamming. Teeth gritted. Feet stomping. The anger just rolls from such a tiny body and leaves you feeling helpless. You are doing everything you can to keep your cool, “It’s going to be okay” is all you seem to be able to muster. Your child is convinced the world is against him and that it is for sure NOT going to be okay. As the door slams, you slump to the ground with your hands over your face and wonder… what could I possibly say. Here are 13 helpful phrases to calm an angry child are perfect for those heated moments.

You are not alone. In fact, time and time again, I am reminded of just how many of us struggle to have the words to say to calm an angry child. We’ve been taught that no child should speak to an adult like that, yet deep down we know they just don’t mean it either.

What to Say to Calm an Angry Child

• I love you. It is incredibly important to remind your angry child that you still love them. That no matter what they say to you, you will indeed love them. These three words should be repeated in a calm manner as often as your child will hear you.

• I see that you are upset. Letting a child know that you can physically see their anger helps them become self aware of what is happening to their body when they are angry. It allows you the chance to talk to them about the situation without trying to solve the problem immediately.

• It is okay to be angry. Validate their emotions. Yes, they might be going off the deep end over something you don’t truly understand, but right now that doesn’t matter. They need to see the rational adult validating their feelings.

• Would you like my help? You might have read that the best suggestion for an angry child is to give them a hug. However, some children will downright refuse any touch or help in their most heightened emotions. Giving them choice puts ownership on them and allows them the ability to accept or deny your strategies and help.

• I wonder if… Children don’t always have the ability to know why they are upset and what is the underlying cause of their frustrations. Offer an idea such as “I wonder if you need to eat something. I wonder if you could use a nap. I wonder if you need a hug.”

• I am going to… When your child is screaming at you or stomping, they are often looking for your reaction.Staying calm and collected is essential. However, letting your child know your moves and plans is also key in letting them know what is coming next. “I am going to wait over here until you are ready. I am going to move closer to you so you know where I am. I am going to wait out in the hall until you finish screaming."
• Would you like to try…. While this is not the time to rationalize with your child, it is okay to offer your help. Often times a child is expressing extreme anger because they don’t know how to self regulate. You can offer many calming strategies or suggestions for help. I would suggest only suggesting one and then waiting some time before speaking again.
• Can we start over? Sometimes, we all just need a do over. Sometimes, kids don’t even realize they are getting worked up or emotional until it is too late and their brains have already entered the flight or fight response. Offering a simple do-over can be a great way to get through the frustrations.
• I am sure we can find a solution later… Now is not the time to try to reason with your child. They might want an answer now. They might want to argue now. Now is not the time. Once they are calm and they have left the “flight or fight” response you can start to address what made them so upset in the first place.
• It is not okay to… It is important to set limits and be consistent. Let your child know that it is okay to have these big emotions and you will love them through these explosions, but it is never okay to hit or hurt others.
• You are safe… One thing that causes children to act out with anger is fear. They could be afraid of what will happen when the fit is over, they could be worried you will be mad at them, or worse they may actually fear for their safety. Remind them in a calm and collected voice that they are safe.
• I remember last time we tried… If your child is just beginning this journey of big emotions and hurt feelings, they might remember everything you have been trying up until now. They might need reminders of what works and what doesn’t. The hope is that with each outburst, things start to return to calm a little faster each time.
• I will be here when you are ready… Above all, remind your child you are not leaving them. Sometimes,we as parents need breaks too! We need to step away from the situation to keep our cool, however, our children need to know we are there for them. Letting them know exactly where you are going and how they can find you when they are ready is a great way to give them reassurance and avoid telling them to “calm down”.
Remember, loving an angry child is hard. It is exhausting for both you and your child. It is a journey that can’t be solved or traveled in one day. Most importantly, remember you are definitely not alone in this journey.

March Community Activities

Community activities for the month of March:

Woods Cross - March 26 from 10:00 - 11:15 am at Woods Cross Elementary (745 W 1100 S)

West Bountiful - March 26 at 9:00 am at City Park

Bountiful City Youth Council Bunny Hop - March 19 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at Bountiful City Park (400 N 200 W)

Centerville - March 26 at 9:30 am at Founders Park.  Bring canned goods to donate to the Food Pantry

Fruit Heights - March 26 at the Fruit Heights City Offices and Park

Kaysville - March 26 at 9:00 am at Barnes Memorial Park Softball Fields (900 W 200 N)

Clearfield - March 26 for children from 0 to 10 at 10:00 am at Fisher Park

West Point - March 26 at 10:00 am at Loy Blake Park (550 N 3500 W)

Clinton - March 26 at 9:00 am at the Civic Center (2300 N 1500 W)

     March 11 "Lost in Time at the Library" from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Davis County Central Branch (155 N Wasatch Dr. Layton).  Enjoys games, book readings, and other activities.

March 13 - Daylight Savings Time Begins!