Play is an important way for parents to connect with their babies according to attachment theory. These activities provide ways to build the bond of love and trust between babies and their caregivers, as well as having a lot of fun together.
Face to Face time with Baby
Four-month-old babies love to get up close and personal. Not only do babies like face time with loved ones, they also like to look in the mirror and watch “that baby.” Make expressive faces using eyes and talk to the baby as well when having face-to-face time. Babies this age will tune into the sound of a parent’s voice, even if mom or dad are across the room.
Sing Songs and Add Motions
Sing songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and do movements like the twinkling of the stars with one’s hands. Babies also like rhymes with motions, try “This Little Piggy” and “Patty-cake” for fun. Even if a parent only knows a few children’s songs, that’s fine because babies like repetition.
Baby Loves Physical Touch
Four-month olds like someone to hold them, cuddle them and carry them around. They still also love to be rocked and some may enjoy a gentle massage as well.
Read Books to Baby
There are plenty of baby books out there from cloth to board books. Babies like hearing the sound of the reader’s voice go up and down while they read. They will enjoy looking at the different pictures and watching as the pages are turned.
Four-Month-Old is Reaching Out
Babies at this age can now reach their hands out, grab on to something and hold it in their hands. They may also want to explore the object by putting it in their mouth. Find interesting toys for the child to reach out for and learn about. One day the infant will be able to move the toy from one hand to the other.
Give Baby Tummy Time
Giving baby tummy time has a number of advantages. One, it helps the baby strengthen and work muscles in a new way. Two, it will help get baby ready for crawling because this position encourages a baby to push up on his or her forearms. Three, it will give baby a new view on their world and an opportunity to reach for and explore objects.
Put a blanket out on the floor, along with some eye-catching toys within hand’s reach for the baby, and the put baby down on his or her stomach. Be aware that not all babies like to spend time on their tummy. If this is the case, only keep the baby on his or her belly for a short time and don’t do it right after the bay has eaten.
Talk to Baby About Surroundings
Parents should speak to their baby about their environment. If the baby makes some sounds, talk back to acknowledge to the baby that he or she was heard. If possible, a parent can “mirror” what the child has said. If the baby smiles as he or she grabs a toy, a parent can say, “You like the toy." If the baby continues his or her interest, make more comments like, "The toy has many colors.”
Four-Month-Olds Can Have a Sense of Humor
Babies at this age are likely to be able to giggle if they find something funny. If a baby laughs, parents should see if they can figure what it was that the baby found humorous and then repeat it. Babies love repetition, so the joke won’t be old if done over and over.
Also check out What Can a Four-Month-Old Baby Do?, Activities for Two-Month-Olds and Bonding with a Newborn.
References:
Newton, Ruth. The Attachment Connection: Parenting a Secure and Confident Child Using the Science of Attachment Theory. New Harbinger Publications Oakland, California, 2008.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
