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The therapist's knowledge of ways to motivate an infant to be more active is often the deal breaker – the thing that shifts a therapy session into high gear as the child responds by becoming energised and starts to engage with an activity or task |
From birth infants will are interested in watching their own hands and those of their caregivers.
Because newborn babies tend to lie with their head turned to one side, they easily catch sight of the hand when the arm is stretched sideways.
Newborn infants will also intently watch the hands of play partners when they are moved within their field of vision. Wriggling the fingers provides makes the moving hand even more interesting.
You can harness this interest in different ways to get the baby to keep the head steady, look in different directions and later to start reaching a play partner's face, hand or foot.
Moving hands and wriggling fingers
Choose a position that gives the baby plenty of support and position yourself so that you face them.
Move your one hand to about 20 cm distance away from the baby's face, wriggle you fingers to catch their attention and then slowly move your hand in different directions.
Carefully watch your baby's responses. Keep moving for as long as the baby stays interested.
Once they have had a enough, babies will usually turn the head away. This is your cue to stop.
Video: Max 13 weeks talking to Nana Pam
“I am coming to catch you”
In this game you move your hand from a distance of about 30 cm away towards the baby's foot or hand while saying “I am coming to catch you”. Then “catch” the foot or hand with you fingers.
This builds anticipation and excitement, captures the baby's attention and encourages visual following.
You can also play “I am coming to tickle your tummy”, moving your hands towards the tummy. Remember to only tickle very gently.
Return to Games to Promote Social Interaction and Exploring the Environment
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