Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Next time your baby is playing with something, watch to see if she looks for it when it is taken away. Probably not. At this age, if she can’t see it, she doesn’t remember that it exists. For your baby, out of sight is out of mind.

When your baby has a toy you want to take away from her, give her another toy before taking away the first one. Put it out of her sight. This is an easy way to redirect her attention.

Turn this into a game of peek-a-boo. Cover your face with your hands. Say, “Where’s Mommy?” Remove your hands from your face. Say, “Here I am!”

Cover your face with a piece of paper. Say, “I can’t see ____ (name of your baby).” Look over the paper. Look under the paper. Look out either side of the paper. Say, “I see ____ (name of your baby). Watch to see if she looks for your face.

Baby Exercises

Pull to Sitting

Lay your baby on his back on a blanket or rug. Place your hands under his arms. Slowly pull your baby up until he is sitting. To encourage him, say things such as, “Up we go!” At first, you may do more of the work. Your baby will get the idea and may soon work hard to help himself up.

Rolling Over

Lay your baby on his back on a blanket and sit behind his head, holding a noisy or squeaky toy. Hold the toy where your baby can see it. Slowly move it so he has to turn his head to follow it.

Praise your baby if he arches his back and starts to turn. If your baby turns with his shoulders, but his legs don't follow, gently push on his bottom to help him over. Save this game for later if your baby doesn’t try.

To help your baby feel what it’s like to roll over, lay him on one side of a small blanket. Gently raise the blanket to help him roll over. Reward him with big smiles and hugs.