Babies are like sponges that absorb everything around them and need to be properly stimulated for a healthy and happy development. Early stimulation is essential for the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of babies. As parents or caregivers, it is important to provide an enriching environment and appropriate activities to stimulate babies from birth. In this article, we present the best tips and activities to stimulate a baby at every stage of development, from sensory to language, motor and cognitive stimulation. Learn how to stimulate your 7month old baby in a fun and effective way to promote their development and well-being.

Why is it important?

Stimulating an infant is essential for their physical, cognitive, emotional and social development. Through proper stimulation, babies can strengthen their motor, sensory and communication skills, which helps them learn about their environment and develop their personality and interpersonal relationships. In addition, early stimulation can prevent developmental delays, improve attention and concentration, and lay the foundation for future learning. Therefore, it is important for parents and caregivers to provide appropriate activities and games to stimulate their babies from an early age.

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Sensory stimulation

Sensory stimulation in infants is crucial as it aids their cognitive, emotional and physical development. Through sensory stimulation, babies can explore their environment, develop their attention span, learn new skills and strengthen their bond with caregivers. You can do this in the following ways:

Tactile stimulation

Touch different textures (such as soft or rough fabrics, rough or smooth surfaces) or use objects with different shapes and sizes so that the baby can feel them with his hands.

Visual stimulation

Place toys with bright, contrasting colors in the crib or near the baby so he can focus his eyes on them. You can also show him books with simple, eye-catching pictures.

Auditory stimulation

Play soft music or sing to the baby, or use toys that produce sounds to stimulate the baby's hearing.

Olfactory stimulation

Use different soft smells (such as essential oils, flowers, fruits) so that the baby can perceive them.

Taste stimulation

Let the baby try different foods (always following his pediatrician's recommendations) so that he can experience different flavors.

Cognitive stimulation

Through cognitive stimulation, babies can develop their ability to pay attention, remember, reason, solve problems and learn new skills. In addition, early cognitive stimulation can help prevent developmental problems and promote healthy development in all areas. Here are a few ways:

Play Where is the object

Hide an object (such as a toy) and ask baby where it is. Over time, baby will learn to look for the object and understand that objects can exist even if he or she doesn't see them.

Playing with blocks

Blocks of different shapes and sizes can be a great way to teach baby skills such as sorting, stacking, and identifying shapes and colors.

Playing with balls

Playing tossing and catching a ball will help baby develop motor and cognitive skills at the same time.If you want your baby to play outside, in the sunshine and enjoy nature, I advise you to best outdoor games to play

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Use toys that make noise

Toys that make noise (such as rattles) are excellent for teaching baby about cause and effect.

Playing with mirrors

A safe, baby-proof mirror can be an excellent tool for teaching baby about self-concept and developing awareness that he or she is a separate person.

Motor stimulation

Motor stimulation in infants is important because it helps develop their physical and cognitive skills. Babies need to move and explore their environment to develop their coordination, muscle strength, and fine and gross motor skills.

It can also help infants develop their ability to understand and respond to physical and social cues, enabling them to interact more effectively with their environment and caregivers. Early motor stimulation can help prevent developmental problems and promote healthy development in all areas. Here are some different ways to do it:

Play Where is the object?

Hide an object (such as a toy) and ask baby where it is. Over time, baby will learn to look for the object and understand that objects can exist even if he or she doesn't see them.

Playing with blocks

Blocks of different shapes and sizes can be a great way to teach baby skills such as sorting, stacking, and identifying shapes and colors.

Playing with balls

Playing tossing and catching a ball will help baby develop motor and cognitive skills at the same time.

Use toys that make noise

Toys that make noise (such as rattles) are excellent for teaching baby about cause and effect.

Playing with mirrors

A safe, baby-proof mirror can be an excellent tool for teaching baby about self-concept and developing awareness that he or she is a separate person.

Language stimulation

It is important to talk to your baby frequently and in a pleasant tone of voice so that he or she can listen and learn language effectively. Providing a variety of language experiences can help babies develop their understanding and ability to express themselves effectively. Here are some ways to do this:

Talk to your baby

It is important that you talk to your baby at all times, from the moment he or she is born. Talk to your baby calmly, in a soft tone and in simple phrases. This will help your baby become familiar with your voice and begin to recognize different sounds and words.

Sing songs

Singing songs is a very beneficial activity to stimulate your baby's language. The rhythm and words of the songs help your baby recognize different sounds and develop listening and attention skills.

Read stories

Even if your baby does not yet understand words, reading short stories for kids is a very important activity to stimulate language. The words and pictures help your baby become familiar with different sounds and words.You will also see that when he/she is older, the activity of teach child to read will be an easy task.

Play with sounds

Make sounds with your mouth, such as "prrrr" or "ssss," and wait for your baby to try to imitate them. You can also make noises with objects, such as banging two spoons together.

Name objects

As your baby gets older, you can start naming objects around her. For example, you can say "look at the dog" or "here's the ball". This will help your baby connect objects to words.

General tips to keep in mind

1. Observe the baby's interests and abilities
2. Use safe, age-appropriate toys and objects.
3. Establish regular stimulation routines
4. Combine different types of stimulation (sensory, cognitive, motor, and linguistic).
5. Provide a safe and welcoming environment

Precautions

1. Do not overstimulate the baby
2. Avoiding excessive use of electronic devices or screens
3. Do not force the baby to do activities that they do not like or are not ready to do.
4. Paying attention to signs of sensory overload.

Conclusion

In conclusion, early stimulation in infants is crucial for their physical, cognitive and emotional development. With the right activities, we can help our little ones reach their developmental milestones and build a solid foundation for their future. It is important to remember that each baby is unique and develops at his or her own pace, so we must adapt activities to our baby's needs and abilities. In addition, it is essential to take precautions and ensure that activities are safe and age-appropriate. By stimulating our babies, we are investing in their future and helping them reach their full potential.