Let your baby “help” give him a bath. Hand him the washcloth and say, “Here’s your washcloth. Wash your belly.” Try to get him to imitate simple one syllable words to go along with the action, such as “Rub, rub, rub.” Keep the fun going by asking him to then wash his arms, legs and other body parts as you name them. After he has finished washing himself, hold out your hand and say, “Put the washcloth in my hand.”
This activity will help your baby show more interest in the words you speak and the objects you use, feel independent, and develop his eye-hand coordination.
Make getting undressed a fun activity for your baby and you. Pull his sock half way off and let him pull it all the way off. When he does, say, “Whose toes do I see?” Count his toes and say the This Little Piggy rhyme.
This activity will help your child learn to be more independent and that there is a routine to her day. She will still show interest in you as she improves her communication skills. She will become aware of what is happening around her and that she can control what is happening. She will also be coordinating her body to move in specific ways.
Find someone you trust to watch the baby for you at your home. When the sitter arrives, tell your baby you will be home soon, give him a kiss, and walk out the door. It’s okay if he cries for you, and it won’t last long. Leave books, paper and crayons for your sitter to engage your child in learning experiences that he enjoys. When you return, let him know what a good job he did without you.
Your baby will learn to calm himself as he becomes more independent. He will show interest in another adult. He will learn to communicate with others and increase his vocabulary. He will begin to explore new objects, identify items in books, and learn to play pretend. Plus, he will learn to coordinate his body to move in the way he wishes it to.