Mums and Bubs
Play is one of the basic ways how infants learn about their environment as they develop responses to stimuli presented to them. They can communicate and socialize based on their movements and their reactions to their surroundings. Some of the important things that infants learn are associating their mothers touch with feelings of delight and calmness, familiarizing the sound of the voices of the people closest to them and recognizing feelings of comfort brought about by nourishment and care that are provided for them. Parents especially mothers can reinforce the learning of their infants through some form of play that would help them learn positively like smiles, gentle touch and caresses as well as soothing sounds.
As the infants’ vision becomes functional, they likewise would like to look at familiar faces. They may also try to look around by turning their heads to where the sound is coming from. Babies usually feel comfortable and assured when they see their mothers’ faces or hear their voices. Infants are naturally born with ‘root reflexes’ for their survival as they are born. They have certain responses that will allow them to interact with their surroundings. Touching their cheeks for example would make the babies turn to their sides and this will signal that they are ready for food or milk. Mothers are able to reinforce this learning when they offer their babies their breasts or milk bottles each time they have to feed them.
Though most of the time, younger infants are asleep, mothers should be aware when they are awake and are ready for some play. It is at this time that they become attentive and also responsive to stimuli. However, mothers should not also overdo any activities with their babies as the infants may feel agitated and cry instead. Mothers also have to provide other types of stimuli like toys in order for their babies to learn more. Some of the most suitable toys that will encourage learning include rattles, musical toys, safe and unbreakable crib mirrors as well as other textured toys. Toy mobiles with striking colors and shapes may help babies in developing their vision.
Play may also come in other forms like smiling or sticking out the tongue and making the infants imitate it. Mothers may also play some soothing music to calm their babies especially when they start to be fussy and irritated. They should also talk to their babies whenever they are awake and active. These are some of the things that parents especially mothers can do in order to help their babies learn. Mothers have to play whenever possible as it is important for the infants’ learning.
