Early Stimulation Exercises For Babies From 0 To 12 Months
Early stimulation includes a series of exercises and activities that promote the baby’s psychomotor development, as well as their cognitive development. In this article We will see different early stimulation exercises for babies up to 12 months.
In each month of life, the exercises must be adapted to the capabilities and abilities of the child. Let’s get to know some of these exercises, organized by stages and months.
Early stimulation (also called early attention) is based on a series of exercises through which babies and children can have fun and through which their cognitive and psychomotor development is enhanced These exercises also facilitate future learning.
Early stimulation can begin from birth until approximately 6-7 years of age, since it is during this period that the child’s thinking structure and personality develop.
This type of stimulation will allow you to take full advantage of the baby’s mental and physical abilities ; Therefore, the work as a mother, father or professional will be decisive, through appropriate activities with specific objectives that facilitate their optimal development.
Early stimulation exercises for babies
When a baby is born, one of its basic needs is physical contact, in addition to eating, drinking, sleeping, defecating and urinating.
The babies they receive their first stimuli from their reference figures (mainly from the mother and father). It is important that from the moment they are born, their senses are stimulated through play, speech and different exercises that we can do with them.
In the early stages (0 to 6 months), early stimulation exercises for babies They will help them gain flexibility, strengthen their muscle tone and prepare to explore the environment
It is recommended that the exercises be performed at a time of day when the baby is receptive and calm, and that his or her sleeping and feeding hours are respected. You can start with five-minute sessions and gradually increase the time, although they should not last more than 10 minutes.
Exercises from 0 to 3 months
There are different types of early stimulation exercises for babies. Let’s now talk about those that can be done during the first trimesters of life (from 0 to 3 months). These exercises should be gentle, and will be focused on help them gain mobility, discover new sensations as they become familiar with their first stimuli. Some of them are:
Exercises from 3 to 6 months
The exercises will change as the baby grows, since he will be acquiring motor skills. Thus, we will progressively add more complex exercises.
You can start with exercises face down to gain strength in your neck muscles; We will do them little by little and respecting your willingness to do them. Some of these exercises may be the following:
Exercises from 7 to 10 months
As the baby grows, the goals and exercises will adapt to him. Thus, early stimulation exercises for babies They must always be adapted to the physical and psychomotor characteristics of the boy or girl Some exercises that can be done between 7 and 10 months are:
From 11 months to a year some of the early stimulation exercises recommended for this stage are:
Place your hands on a turned-on radio or speaker so that you can feel the vibrations of the music.
Teach your child to smooth sand into a bucket by flattening it and patting it.
Having fun in the mirror will teach you to distinguish the image from reality. Make him look in the mirror, soon he will start laughing and touching his portrait.
Stimulate activities with the same toy, saying: “Hug the baby,” “Rock the baby,” “feed the baby.”
Give him the opportunity to join you when you clean, for example, you can give him a rag to help you with any other activity that you think he is capable of.
Rovati, L. (2017). Early stimulation exercises for your baby from 0 to 6 months. Babies and more.
Britton, W., Guerrero, S., Huanqui, M. and Malque, E. (2009). EARLY STIMULATION GUIDE FOR THE FACILITATOR. Adara Peru
