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Play is an essential part of your baby's development and a great way to bond as a family. These games will build your baby's language, social and motor (large- and small-muscle) skills while you're having fun.
Language Games
- Speak softly to your baby and use his name often. He can locate your voice within a few hours of birth.
- Pause after talking to your baby to watch for his response.
- Vary your tone of voice to include baby talk and your everyday speech.
Social Games
- When your baby smiles, praise him and smile back. This will reinforce his smiling.
- When you and your baby are in eye contact, slowly move your head from side to side to encourage his eyes to follow you.
Motor Games
- To encourage head turning, place your baby on a blanket on the floor and arrange brightly colored toys on each side of him.
- During a diaper change, bend and straighten his legs in a bicycling motion.
- Encourage your baby to push up so that his arms are straight (raising his chest off the floor when he is on his tummy). Do this by holding a toy at eye level in front of him.
Tip: It's important to learn your baby's tolerance for play. Too much stimulation can be as unpleasant as too little. Watch your 
