Based on attachment theory, spending time and playing with babies is a great way to strengthen the bond between parent and child. Another key one is to respond to their crying with sensitivity. Here are a number of games that parents and caregivers can play with two-month-olds to help build a healthy sense of attachment.
Babies Love to Making Eye Contact
Infants at this stage are very interested in looking at faces. A simple and fun baby game is to make exaggerated facial expressions. Open up eyes as big as possible and raise eyebrows in funny positions. Infants will be studying every move and may even try to imitate what they see. Don’t forget to smile!
Sing Songs to Baby
Sing songs to babies for different activities during their day. Have a bath time song while a parent is bathing the baby. Rock the babe in one’s arms and sing a lullaby. Even have a song for changing diapers to make the event more fun for everyone involved. Not only will the baby enjoy the sound of a caregiver, he or she will eventually associate the specific activity to follow once the song starts. This can be a useful technique when it comes to bedtime.
Expose Infant to Different Sounds
Let the two-month-old experience the world of sound. Make clicking noises with one’s tongue, hum or make animal sounds. Let the baby hear wind chimes, the shake of a rattle or a cat purring. Remember that although sounds can be fun for a baby, if voices or sounds are too loud the baby can be easily startled.
Importance of Physical Touch for Baby
Give baby a tummy rub, count his or her little fingers and toes and parents can run their fingers through their baby’s hair and/or give the baby a gently scalp massage if the baby is still to grow hair. Another fun activity for babies is if a parent walks their fingers from belly to neck while also saying “I see you.”
Carry Baby to See New Things
Hold the baby so his or her head is at one’s shoulder and this will the infant see things from a different viewpoint. Walk around with the baby and make sure to provide head support of course. This position will not only let the child see things like the artwork on the walls or out the window, it can also help strengthen the baby’s neck muscles.
Read Books with Baby
It’s never too early to start reading to children. The book will visually stimulate the infant and he or she always loves to hear the voice of loved ones. Talk about the pictures in the book and the baby will also be interested with how the pages turn.
Two-Month-Olds Attracted to Patterns
Patterns are very attention-getting for this age group. An easy activity is for a parent to pick out a pretty rattle or interesting toy and move it back and forth in front of the baby. Watch as the baby will follow the movement with his or her eyes. Interesting mobiles are also a good idea for entertaining baby.
Pay Attention to What Baby Pays Attention to
If mom or dad notices baby showing interest in something, make a comment about it to baby. For example, “You really like that.” Or “You are interested in that.” This is a simple way for parents to learn to tune into their baby and how he or she might see his or her world. It also helps the baby with his or her journey of learning about their environment.
Simple and easy ways to connect with a baby who is two months old include making faces, singing songs, and reading books to baby. Let the infant experience different sounds, patterns and physical touch.
Also check out What Can a Two-Month-Old Baby Do?, What Can a Four-Month-Old Baby Do? and Bonding with 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.
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