Active Babies: Strengthening Mind, Body & Spirit

It may seem that your baby has limited capabilities, but age-appropriate stimulation is critical for your child's development. While most of today's moms understand the importance of intellectual development, finding toys and activities can be a challenge. And moving beyond mental stimulation to developing baby's body and spirit is a challenge even for veterans.

Motivating Little Minds

The most important way you can encourage the development of your baby's little mind is talking and singing to him. Although you may feel silly, tell baby stories, talk about your surroundings or just COO! Your interaction will help baby develop language skills and build a relationship with you. For even more stimulus, try Baby Einstein's "Language Nursery".

Encourage older children as they begin chattering away. Make the most of your time together. Even if you're in the car, you can recite poetry, listen to stories on tape or tell a story. Dedicate time to reading as a family. For even more language development, consider enrolling baby in a language program or hiring a bilingual care provider.

Strive to develop baby's sense of his body through infant massage. Name each part as you massage it. Show baby his fingers, toes and other parts. For classes in infant massage, contact your local hospital or look for doula specializing in infant massage. As baby gets older, encourage him to play and kick with toys like Tiny Love's Gimini or Fisher-Price's Kick and Play Crib Toy.

For the older baby, encourage outdoor play. Remember that your behavior speaks loudly to older children. Encourage a life long interest in exercise by participating in sports together.

Developing baby's spirit is perhaps the most difficult and most often forgotten element of his little person. But when you see characteristics of his spirit emerging, you can either praise or stifle them. Encourage your child to be his best self and to know himself by praising and delighting in his traits.

For older children, encourage reflection and self-awareness through activities such as journaling, story writing and drawing. Make sure the time you spend getting to know yourself is visible to your child. Talk about your meditative or prayer time. If you make sure your child knows your spirit, he will quickly come to know his.

And most importantly, let your child know that you love him exactly as he is.