Click here to join the thousands of parents already giving their babies the best start from birth with GymbaROO’s highly recommended FREE online BabyROO video series: Active Babies Smart Kids
You can really help your baby get a great start in life and learning by providing an environment that encourages their healthy development. Dr Jane Williams, Research and Education General Manager for GymbaROO and one of Australia’s leading experts on baby development, passes on a few tips:
- Place your baby on his or her tummy, when awake, as often as possible – on a firm surface with no pillow. Even just a few minutes at a time is helpful. Try to build up the time so that baby is comfortable on their tummy for longer periods. Watch them practise lifting their head, the head is VERY HEAVY! To most efficiently learn how to control the head and neck muscles a baby needs a good amount of tummy time. There are lots of loving ways to do tummy time that do not involve the floor. Click here to watch our free tummy time video with tips and ideas.
2. Tummy time is vital for full development. If your little one does not like tummy time it may be that they are experiencing discomfort. If this continues, seek advice from your local health professional.Even just a few minutes at a time is helpful. Try to build up the time so that baby is comfortable on their tummy for longer periods. Watch them practise lifting their head, the head is VERY HEAVY! To most efficiently learn how to control the head and neck muscles a baby needs a good amount of tummy time. There are lots of loving ways to do tummy time that do not involve the floor.Click here to watch our free tummy time video with tips and ideas.
3. Start massage as early as possible – click here for techniques , or just massage in your own loving way. This is not only a time of bonding, but also of sensory stimulation. Click here for our BabyROO massage check list. After massage, start gentle exercise, moving your baby’s arms and legs in and out. Do not force your baby’s limbs, but if done after massage, sometimes they will slowly open out if you are gentle. Click here to do baby exercises with us online.
4. Breastfeed if you can, though we do understand that this is not always possible. If you are bottle feeding be sure to change your baby from side to side as if you are breast feeding so that your baby’s right and left side receive equal stimulation.
5. Introduce new movements and exercises. Dance with your little one, they love it! Click here to join in with us. There is a dance in each episode!
6. Do NOT try to hasten nature. This is important. Just provide the environment to stimulate development of rolling, crawling, creeping etc. Once your baby is mobile this makes for a happy baby as she can reach the toys she wants to play with!
7. Provide your moving infant with obstacle courses such as pillows and boxes to scramble under, over and through.
8. Leave at least one ‘pots and pans’ door in your kitchen within baby’s reach, so it can be safely opened. Letting your baby explore safely, helps him learn about his world.
9. Join a toy library so you can provide your child with different challenges.
10. Take your baby for walks in the pram or stroller. Alter the surface over which you push the pram – rough, smooth, noisy, quiet (grass). Alternate between pushing fast and slow. Pull the pram instead of pushing. The variety of sights, sounds and feelings your baby experiences are very stimulating.
At GymbaROO / BabyROO we know that you are your baby’s first and most important teacher. If you are unable to get to a GymbaROO or KindyROO centre you can now watch and join in the activities with our FREE online video series on baby development. This free online series is taking the parenting world by storm! It is highly recommended by doctors, paediatricians, early childhood experts and the Maternal Child and Family Health Nurses Association. This series is being called: “The essential guide for parents.” Join the thousands of parents already playing with their babies from birth, in the best way for brain and body development and laying crucial foundations for future learning. What happens in the first year, not only matters, it matters a lot! Active Babies Smart Kids BabyROO series – Click here. (Australia and New Zealand only).
Dr Jane Williams (PhD, BMgt, RN(Paeds)) is the Research and Education General Manager for GymbaROO and KindyROO. She is one of Australia’s leading experts on baby and child development. More on Dr Williams here.
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Thousands of parents, babies and children are presently involved in our programs. GymbaROO kids are excelling academically, emotionally, in leadership roles and on the sporting field. Come join all the fun and learning! “GymbaROO – The best decision I ever made for my child.” Classes from birth – 5 years. Find your local GymbaROO.
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