6 Baby Games to Boost Your Child's Brain Power

Newborn to 3 Months

PLAY A GAME: Where's Mommy?
Newborns have an innate fascination with voices, but they're not able to locate the source of a sound. To help your little one fine-tune this sense and also learn that his family provides laughter and smiles, place him in the middle of a bed or in an infant seat or hold him in your arms; get close to his face and talk or sing to him. Walk back and forth in front of him as you continue to talk and sing.

Developmental skills: Listening; visual and social development

3 to 6 Months

PLAY A GAME: Airplane Baby
Help comfort your cranky baby—or simply have fun together—with this classic game. To start, hold him under his chest and belly, tummy down. (Be sure to support his neck if he doesn't yet have head control.) Swing him gently back and forth.

Developmental skills: Upper-body strength; tactile stimulation; trust.

6 to 9 Months

PLAY A GAME: Knee Rides
Once your baby has good head control, prop her up on your knees and gently bounce her as you babble or sing. Babbling supports her early efforts to communicate with sounds other than crying. When she says, "aahh," say, "aahh" in return; when she says, "goo," nod and say, "goo" back. Then try stretching out the words and adding to them ("ooh" becomes "ooooh-wah!").

Developmental skills: Listening; language and social development.

9 to 12 Months

PLAY A GAME: Peekaboo!
Peekaboo is a classic favorite with babies: First Mommy's there, then Mommy's gone, and then she's back again. Sometime around 6 or 7 months, babies start to understand that objects continue to exist even if they can't see them. Use your hands or hold a blanket or towel infront of your face, whisk it away and call, "Peekaboo!"

Developmental skills: Object permanence; social development.

12 to 18 Months

PLAY A GAME: Bubbles for Baby
Watching bubbles float through the air helps your baby practice her visual skills. Trying to swat at them is excellent practice for budding eye-hand coordination. Aiming large bubbles at a blanket or carpet gives older babies a chance to catch them. Bubbles billowing outside are especially enchanting.

Developmental skills: Cause-and-effect; eye-hand coordination; visual development.

18 to 24 Months

PLAY A GAME: I'm Gonna Get You!
Babies love to be chased and surprised. Start crawling or running after your baby, saying, "I'm gonna get you!" Then gently grab him and say, "Igot you!" Lift him up in the air, kiss his neck and tickle his ribs, but keep it gentle. A good game of chase will keep him on his toes as a toddler and evolve into classic big-kids games such as hide-and-seek and tag.

Developmental skills: Gross-motor skills; social development; balance; trust.

Things Every Pregnant Mamma Must Do Before Giving Birth

So take some time out before then to be selfish and indulge yourself.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #1: Have A Girly Night

Whether you head out for an evening of mocktails, or hide indoors in front of a good film, invite all of your besties over for some quality time. A few hours of laughing with friends could be all you need to feel revitalised. The great thing about best friends is that they always know exactly what you need – whether you need hilarious date disaster stories, or a shoulder to cry on, they’ll know just how to help.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #2: Paint Your Toe Nails

Or, more likely, ask someone to paint them for you. You may not even be sure you have toes anymore, since it’s been so long since you last saw them. Rest assured though, they are still there – and very much in need of painting. Treat yourself to a pedicure at your favourite salon, or ask a friend to paint your nails for you.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #3: Have A Massage

Pregnancy isn’t easy on the body, and you may find yourself suffering from aches and pains as you enter the final trimester. A prenatal massage can help – a qualified masseuse will be able to ease your aches and pains, relieve tension in your muscles, and help you to feel relaxed. If budget is an issue, organise a do-it-yourself massage at home. Invest in some massage oil (coconut oil is a great option) and a massage ball, and ask your designated masseuse to spend a few minutes watching how to videos online. Turn out the lights, play some calming music and enjoy a lengthy massage in the comfort of your own home.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #4: Get Away

Pack a bag, grab your partner and whisk him off into the sunset to grab some much-needed couple time before the baby arrives. Once you become a family of three, your time alone with your partner will be limited. Nights away will need months of forward planning, dedicated babysitters, and plenty of location restrictions based on distance away from the baby. Make the most of your last months of freedom (just kidding, you’ll still have freedom – you get a second chance at it in about 18 years) and disappear to wherever takes your fancy. If you already have children, you might like to take them with you, or try and arrange friends or family to help out for a quick holiday away before the next family member arrives. Tight for cash? Give housesitting a try.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #5: Take Some Bump Shots

You may not love your bump now, but one day in the not too distant future, you won’t quite be able to believe just how big you got. Make sure you have some photographs of you and your bump before it disappears. You can take the photos yourself, ask a friend to do it, or even hire a professional photographer to capture some frame-worthy shots. A belly cast is another great alternative to remembering your bump, which you can have professionally painted if you wish!

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #6: Go To The Cinema

This may not sound overly exciting, but there will come a time when you yearn for a simple trip to your local cinema. One day, as you sit in front of the television showing nothing but repeats, covered in baby sick, baby snot and the everyday grime that accompanies motherhood, you will wish you could waltz out of the door to the cinema. Lash out and have a Gold Class (upgraded) session if you can afford it – you can put your feet up and enjoy the movie in total comfort!

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #7: Visit Your Favourite Restaurant

Go on, you deserve it. Pregnancy is tough – even the most plain sailing pregnancy has its fair shares of grumbles, so give yourself a much needed treat. Make the most of your last few weeks as a family of two (or more!), and head out of the door without having to organise a babysitter or changing bag, and enjoy a delicious feast at your favourite eatery.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #8: Read A Book

Run yourself a nice, warm bubble bath, choose a book off your to-read pile, and let your fingers and toes get wrinkly. You may imagine yourself having plenty of time to read whilst on maternity leave, but while you may manage the odd book, you probably won’t be spending many hours leafing through novels under shady trees. You may even find that the only books you manage to read during maternity leave, are baby books. So make the most of these final few months of pregnancy by reading some good books cover to cover.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #9: Catch Up With Friends

Pregnancy is the perfect time to catch up with old friends. Make plans to meet up with old friends, and spend time on the phone chatting to long distance friends. It can be that little bit harder to keep in touch when the baby arrives, simply because you’ll be so busy, so spend time catching up with everyone during pregnancy.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #10: Write About It

Pregnancy is such a wonderful time, as you approach the unknowns of motherhood, you may find yourself spending time reflecting on your feelings. Take this opportunity to write down your thoughts and feelings as the birth approaches. If you are planning to keep a baby book detailing the first year of your baby’s life, this would make a great first entry.

Pregnant Mamma Bucket List Item #11: Have A Blessingway

You may or may not have had a baby shower, but a blessingway is all about getting your favourite women together and making it all about the mother-to-be. There’s no gift giving (although you could definitely class everyone’s presence and support as a gift) but instead, its all about preparing you emotionally and spiritually for birth. They are absolutely amazing and leave you overflowing with love and laughter.

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