AN EASY PEASY BABY ACTIVITY

I truly believe that those tiny human beings are the most easily entertained creatures. They are so innocent and curious that anything and everything would work when trying to get a smile from them as long as they feel the love and care (and obviously as long as their essential needs are met).

This easy peasy activity does not really require anything apart from a muslin wrap/scarf/a light piece of fabric and preferably two people. If you have an older child as well, this will be a nice little activity he/she may enjoy doing with you and the baby sister/brother (I manage to do it alone too at times). The other sibling can either help you do the activity by giving you a hand in holding the fabric or can lie down with the baby and enjoy it.

I often like to use a coloured muslin wrap or if possible a fabric with some patterns on it (Eg. some stars). However, if you only have a plain scarf, that will work too. The other thing that is optional but I like adding is a bit of classical music to the background.

All you need to do is that when your baby is nice and calm, put her on the floor facing to you. If you have a second person who can do this activity with you, the two of you hold the muslin wrap from each corner (two corners per person). So, the fabric is flat. With a smiley face, just move the scarf up and down slowly and just enjoy how much pleasure she has while you do that. Everytime the fabric comes closer to the baby, she is likely to move her arms and legs up to touch it and when the fabric goes further away from her and she can see your face again, she is likely to smile, or if lucky, perhaps even giggle. It is one easy, yet enjoyable and calming activity.

As they say, enjoy it while you can. These little moments when everyone is happy are all very precious and we should never take it for granted. It is also a period of time in life, both babyhood and parenthood, when little things can make us smile. Make the most of it!

SHAKE IT BABY: A Rattle from a Bottle

Keeping babies busy is generally pretty easy as they are mesmerised with almost anything. However, one of the challenges with them I believe that they constantly need attention. I like it when I can negotiate a balance with Miss Junior these days: when up, some food and play time involving mum, and then some time alone even if it may mean only a few minutes. Not that this happens very often! Anyhow. I also like to offer her a variety of environment, textures, activities and senses to experience with. I am a believer of those scientists who claim that babies benefit from some various fun activities when developing their motor and sensory skills.

One of the most commonly used toys for babies is undoubtedly rattles. I have an alternative homemade rattle that is the easiest and cheapest way to keep a baby entertained for sometime. As you can see in the picture, you only need two types of materials: An empty bottle which has a cap and some chickpeas or beans, broadbeans or whatever that can fit in the bottle neck and can make sound that you have on hand (I personally prefer changing the stuffing at times to introduce different types of sound). (If you like, you can use some coloured chocolate beans to make it look more stimulating too but I don't really keep them at home so that Mr. Junior, and even more importantly Mr. Hubby, don't eat them.). You can even ask for some help from your older child if you have one when making this toy. It would be a great focus, hand and eye coordination and motor skill developing as well as fun activity for him/her. However, the usual rule applies here as well: Do not leave children unattended when doing this.

After the completion of the preparation of this toy, which takes less than a minute, all you need to do is to give it to your little shaker and let him/her go crazy playing with it. You may want to demonstrate it initially if that's what you prefer. Don't forget to put your earplugs on if your toddler wants to give it a go too!

CAUTION: Don't forget to be mindful of choking hazards when using this homemade toy. Make sure the cap is tightly closed, there is no hole to the bottle from which anything would come out, no stickers around the bottle that the baby may suckle and bite a piece of. If you have another child at home (your child or a visitor), be sure that they do not open the cap at any time. Monitor your baby when playing with it.