Ideas for Nursery Games

Simple Starters

• During her first year, your infant will love to hear you sing. Hold him on your lap or dance with him in your arms to give him the closeness he craves and the sound he loves--your voice. Your baby may have song preference, or she may just be happy that it's you singing to her. Peek-a-boo, starting when he is a newborn laying on his back and continuing into the months he can start playing back, is a simple interactive game your baby will love. Similarly, your baby will love tickle games. Just be silly and use am "I'm going to get you" approach. The anticipation and physical touch will delight your baby.

Communication

• There are plenty of interactive games you can play with your baby, including "patty cake," "if you're happy and you know it," "itsy bitsy spider," "twinkle, twinkle little star," and "this little piggy." When she is too young to move on her own, you can move her arms and legs for her. As she gets older, she will start doing the hand and feet movements on her own. You can also show him pictures of animals and teach him to mimic the sound they make, or you can have a hand puppet tell your baby a story. You can make it a game of teaching body parts with "where's your nose?" Use a mirror during this game or show your baby pictures of other babies and their body parts. You can also start teaching your baby signs. Use simple sign language signs when you talk to your baby to show her how she can say words such as more, all done, eat, drink and please.

Getting Physical

• Your baby will love watching you blow bubbles and popping those bubbles. Textiles are also wonderful tools for games with your baby, who will enjoy the feel of a silky scarf or a soft sweater as well as the sensation of being under a parachute or simply a colorful sheet being waved in the air. Once your baby is off his tummy and ready for more games, introduce him to games of catch (starting with a rolling ball), building blocks--and knocking them down, sorting objects--and dumping them out, and just banging things together to see what noise he can make.