Babies at two months old are starting to become more active and interactive. As a parent, you would want to participate in your baby’s growth and development. Playing with your baby can strengthen your bond and enhance their development. If you’re searching for ways to engage and entertain your baby, below are fourteen brilliant activities you can do with your two-month-old baby.
Sing a Lullaby
Singing a lullaby to your baby is a great way to introduce them to music. It helps enhance their listening and language skills. You don’t need any props, just your lovely voice. As you sing, try to change the dynamics of your voice. Observe your baby as they try to respond to your voice. UNICEF experts claim that music helps in brain development and can also help soothe babies to sleep.
Wiggle a Toy
Introducing a small, bright-colored soft toy like a stuffed animal or a sponge ball to your baby can enhance their visual development and visual tracking. Lay your baby on a safe, flat surface, and slowly move the toy in front of them from one side to another. Gently wiggle or touch your baby with the toy to gain their attention. The baby will focus on the toy, their pupils will narrow, and they will show expressions.
Dance
Bond with your baby through music and dancing. Pick your baby up carefully, against your chest, and move around to the music. Dancing with your baby helps them develop an interest in music and strengthens the bond between you and your little one.
Massage
A nice massage on your baby’s back, legs, belly, and arms is a great way to help them develop body awareness and bond with their mother. Make sure to undress your baby to their diaper and lay them down on a safe, flat surface. Firmly yet gently, stroke their legs, belly, and arms. Move their legs as if they were cycling and clap their arms together or stretch them. This activity helps your baby feel your touch, which is vital in developing a bond with the mother.
Spread Smiles
Looking at your baby and smiling at them while making eye contact is a great way to bond with your baby. Encourage your baby to smile back by saying ‘smile’ every time they look at you. This activity helps your baby develop social skills and enhances bonding.
Express Love
Expressing love to your baby is simple. Every time you pick them up, give them a hug, say ‘I love you,’ and touch them lovingly. This activity helps your baby’s emotional development and understanding the importance of touch.
Read Together
Introducing your baby to books as young as two months old helps develop their cognitive and language skills. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that reading to a baby helps them understand language. Sit down with your baby and place them on your lap while looking at different picture books. Point out the pictures with bright colors and tell them what each one is. If it’s a storybook, read it aloud. Reading to your baby helps them develop language skills, concentration, vocabulary, and speech.
Introduce Colors and Lights
Hang a bright, colorful toy with lights and music over your baby’s crib. This activity attracts the baby’s attention and helps in their sensory development. As the baby reaches out for the toy, they will stretch their body, giving them some exercise.
Give Tummy Time
Skills learned: Motor development, neck and head control
You will need: A soft, clean blanket or play mat
What to do: Give your baby some tummy time! Lay a soft, clean blanket or play mat on the floor, and gently place your baby on their tummy. This activity helps in the development of neck and head control, and also strengthens the muscles in the back and neck. Initially, your baby may not like being on their tummy, so you can start with just a few minutes and gradually increase the time as they get used to it. You can also place a mirror in front of them to encourage them to lift their head and look at themselves.
Sensory Play
Skills learned: Sensory development, exploration
You will need: Safe objects with different textures, shapes, and sizes
What to do: Sensory play is a great way to encourage exploration and sensory development in babies. Gather some safe objects with different textures, shapes, and sizes, such as a soft brush, a rubber ball, a wooden spoon, or a fluffy toy. Let your baby touch, hold, and explore each object. This will help them learn about their surroundings and develop their sense of touch and sight.
Face-to-Face Interaction
Skills learned: Social skills, language development
You will need: Just you and your baby
What to do: Face-to-face interaction is one of the best ways to bond with your baby and encourage their social skills and language development. Sit facing your baby and make different facial expressions, such as smiling, frowning, or sticking out your tongue. Talk to your baby and use different tones and pitches in your voice. Your baby will try to mimic your expressions and sounds, which will help in their language development and social skills.
Water Play
Skills learned: Sensory development, exploration
You will need: A small basin of warm water, towels, and some safe toys
What to do: Fill a small basin with warm water and place your baby in it. Make sure to hold them securely and support their head and neck. Let them splash and play with the water and some safe toys, such as rubber ducks or plastic cups. This activity will help them develop their sense of touch and explore new sensations.
Baby Gym
Skills learned: Motor development, exploration
You will need: A baby gym with hanging toys
What to do: A baby gym is a great way to encourage motor development and exploration in babies. Place your baby on the mat and let them explore the hanging toys, which will encourage them to reach out and grab them. This will help in the development of hand-eye coordination and also strengthen their arm and leg muscles.
Baby Sign Language
Skills learned: Language development, communication
You will need: Some basic baby sign language books or resources
What to do: Introduce your baby to basic sign language to help in their language development and communication skills. Start with simple signs, such as “milk”, “more”, or “all done”, and use them consistently while speaking to your baby. This will help them learn to associate the sign with the word and eventually use the sign to communicate their needs.
Playing with your 2-month-old baby can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your little one. These activities and games are designed to enhance your baby’s development and strengthen your bond with them. Remember to keep the activities simple and age-appropriate, and most importantly, enjoy the time spent with your precious little one.
