Suggestions for entertaining a sub-12mth old

[HubbaBubba]

Hello again,

Y'all are probably sick of the influx of posts from me but now that I have found an active forum of local parents I am really quite excited.

Was wondering if anyone had many suggestions on activities etc. to do with a young baby. My daughter is almost 7mths old and I sometimes have to wonder if I am doing enough to stimulate her in the right ways.

I read to her and sing to her on occasion but wonder if I am doing it for her benefit or for mine. I wonder if I am doing the "right things" or if she is getting bored. I know that I feel like she couldn't be getting very much from it. I also wonder if exposing her to inane little thing is beneficial...I find myself doing the grocery shopping and telling her all the things that I put into the trolley, their colour and the number of them...I even touch her with the fruit and veg if they are cold and tell her that they are cold... :o

Has anyone got any suggestions of things that they think would be good things to do with a baby that can't give you any real feedback??

I look forward to hearing your suggestions.

[xkwzit]

Hi Hubba
I think what you're doing is great (probably because I did v similar things with my daughters :p ). Kids are little sponges and pick up on heaps of things that we aren't even aware of because they can't tell you about them. When she starts talking you'll become aware of how much more she understands than she is able to tell you about.

Keep reading, I've heard primary school teachers say that within the first week of grade 1 they can pick the kids who are read to at home out from those that aren't. Of course when they are young, they may not have long attention spans, so keep it short - you'll be able to see when she's lost interest.

I also think its important to introduce them to numbers, colours, textures, temperature, sizes, locations (under, on top of, beside, behind, in front). Grocery shopping is an excellent place to start on all these things and before you know it you'll have a little helper to go and get you 6 mushrooms or a handful of beans :). My 10 month old also loves playgroup, not so much the other kids, but all the different toys.

Cheers (and enjoy teaching your little one...)

[vickster]

Hi Tanya,

Good on you. I sing and read to our 6mo all the time. So much so, that she has her favourite songs already and loooves singing and dancing. I even keep some of her cd's in the car to listen and sing to when we're going out. I tell her everything I'm doing, even when I'm in the shower! :eek:

I've been feeling also, that I should be doing more. Sometimes I think she's bored. So my friend and I (she has a 6mo boy) have been trying out playgroups. My friend tried the one behind Charlestown Sqaure. It's at St Alban's church in Chapman St on Mondays only at 10am and it's only $3 each session.

If you can afford it, Warners Bay Public school host Gymbaroo. I'm hoping to start Charlotte there next term. My friend takes her boy and he loves it. I've been taking Charlotte to Parents as Teachers at Hamilton P.S. It's only for 1hr evey 2nd Thursday, but it's only $2 - you get hand outs and it is more structured...fantastic!!

Anyway, I ramble!! Hope you find something that suits.

[HubbaBubba]

Thx Vicki and Samantha,

It's nice to get some re-inforcement and find out that you are doing the same sorts of things that most people do.

A couple of mum's from my mothers group go to Parents as Teachers and Gymbaroo - they have told me that basically they sit around and sing songs and that sort of thing (wanted to avoid a similar dissappointment to what happened when we went for swimming lessons)...the reason that I have not attnded myself is that I haven't considered that it is worth paying to do what I already do with her at home...perhaps I am being a little narrow minded and should give them a go...I have heard that Gymbaroo give u ur 1st visit for free, I guess I should look into that.

Have any of you (or anyone else that has been reading this thread) been to Gymbaroo?? If yes, what was your experience??

Look fwd to hearing from you :)

[xkwzit]

Hi Hubba
I've never been to gymbaroo and so can't comment on that. And you're right, if you are already singing and reading to your littly, why do it under "controlled conditions"? Its probably beneficial if you're looking for inspiration or want to schedule the time to make sure it happens, but otherwise perhaps not worth the expense :confused: . I'm all for taking advantage of any freebie though... ;)

Cheers (and make sure you enjoy Gymbaroo, or whatever you plan on doing)

[Graeme]

Hi Tanya and everyone else

It sounds like to me you are doing a great job. OK I'm like exwizt (love the name), because it is what we do with our gorgeous girls :)

In the thread "Cooper David Garcia" is here, somebody said she had asked her pediatrician (sp?) and was told that she was the best toy for her under 6 month old.

Our girls used to be loved being carried around in a harness so they could see what was happening and just soaked it all in. I love what you do when you're shopping, there are just so many possibilities there aren't there.

Unless you are really keen to go to gymbaroo, I wouldn't make it a high priority. I think you said you were new to the area and didn't know many people, so maybe the stimulation of playgroup and other kids could be good sometime. We found playgroup better once Jasmine was walking (and that wasn't until quite late).

I wouldn't worry too much about who's benefit you are doing it for. If you are both enjoying it, then that's positive and if you get something out of it, that is really important too.

Good luck with it and let us know what you thought of gymbaroo if you decide to go.
Graeme

PS Can't speak for others, but I'm not sick of your "influx of posts" :)