[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP4abiHdQpc&list=FL-6e8S9V_pq5n2SyKzxq6qg&index=2&feature=plpp_video[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp38z8LqRBE[/youtube]
BABY PLAY: CHOOSE THE UNFAMILIAR
When searching for a new toy for baby, sometimes you need not look very far. Simple sheets of paper, whether it is a letter that arrived in the mail or tissue paper from a gift, can provide wonderful entertainment for baby. Remember one of our most important tips when choosing baby toys, baby rattles, and games for baby is that babies love the unusual, unexpected, unpredictable, and unfamiliar.
BABY PLAY: SOUND AS ENTERTAINMENT
Previously we discussed the importance of sound variation when choosing baby rattles in our post “Proprioception: Hand and Arm Coordination.” Although babies may have seen mom or dad working with sheets of paper before, they may not have seen or heard them tearing them. The ripping sound of the paper is very unusual….no rattles make that sound. In the top video from BruBearBaby’s youtube channel, the baby laughs hysterically at the sound of the paper ripping. The father is tearing the paper rather quickly and loudly. You can play with the tempo a bit by sometimes tearing slowly and stopping the action occasionally. Tear the paper more quickly at times to keep the element of surprise. The texture of tissue paper used for wrapping gifts makes a completely different sound as baby crinkles it with her fingers. It makes a great toy to place on a coffee table when baby is learning the skill of cruising. It is not breakable and can not hurt her feet if it falls off the table.
BABY PLAY: FINE MOTOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT
With older babies who have develop their hand and finger fine motor skills, sometimes you can start to tear the paper and let them finish the action. They have to both hold the paper with their fingers and then move the pieces of paper in opposite directions. The toddlers love this game as well! You start the game and then let them finish it. This is a great way to keep baby entertained while you chat with a friend at a local coffee shop. Once you finish your blueberry muffin, the paper bag becomes a toy. The tissue paper can provide much entertainment as baby explores crumpling it’s unusual texture with her fingers. In the second video above, from gregorypeterfrancis’ youtube channel, we see baby curiosity leading to fine motor skill development. Just be careful to supervise that the paper does not end up in baby’s mouth!