Games Babies Play. Vicki Lansky

your baby is wary of this game, you might try having one adult hold her or him, giving “protection,” while the other adult pursues. If your baby still shows any sign of fear or unhappiness, stop the game. The next time you choose to play it, be more gentle so the baby feels less vulnerable.

      Once your baby is sitting up and is familiar with the game, you can approach from behind, calling softly, “I’m going to get you! Here I come!” As your baby begins to crawl, it becomes the basis for a game of chase.

       LOOK AT ME

      Once your baby’s head control is good (usually two months or older), play time can add to strengthening those neck muscles.

      Lay on your back, your baby laying face down and his or her head on your stomach. Sit halfway up and rest on your elbows and talk to your little one, “Look at me, look at me,” giving a big smile. Your baby will lift his or her head to see you. Ten seconds or less is long enough at any one time in the beginning before you recline again so your baby can rest too.

      Once your baby is stronger, place a small rolled-up towel under your baby’s arms/chest in the same position on your stomach to practice and play “Look at me.” Or move your baby off your tummy and onto the floor using the rolled-up towel under your little one and play variations of “Look at me.” Coming from behind your baby, crouch to one side (“Jackie, look at me”) to encourage head-turning as you move from one side to the other side.

       LOST IN SPACE

      Make a fascinating visual toy to enjoy with your baby by filling a clear plastic soda bottle with water, a squirt of dishwashing liquid detergent, a few spoonfuls of cooking oil and a few drops of food coloring. Moving and shaking this colorful bubble bottle will delight and entertain.

       LULLABY YOU BABY

      The slow, gentle, rhythmic sounds of lullabies have soothed parents and children in all cultures for thousands of years. A rocking song can bring both parent and child to a quieter place, where each can feel the harmony. Don’t stop singing lullabies when your baby’s no longer a newborn—just expand your repertoire of favorites.

       Rock-a-Bye, Baby

      Rock-a-bye, baby, On the treetop

      When the wind blows, The cradle will rock.

      When the bow breaks, The cradle will fall,

      And down will come baby, Cradle and all.

      Rock-a-bye, baby, Thy cradle is green,

      Father’s a nobleman Mother’s a queen;

      And Betty’s a lady And wears a gold ring;

      And Johnny’s a drummer And drums for the king.

       Kum-Bah-Yah

      Kum-bah-yah, my Lord, Kum-bah-yah.

      Kum-bah-yah, my Lord, Kum-bah-yah.

      Kum-bah-yah, my Lord, Kum-bah-yah.

      Oh, Lord, Kum-bah-yah.

      verses:

      Someone’s singin’, Lord, Kum-bah-yah . . .

       Someone’s laughin’, Lord, Kum-bah-yah . . .

       Someone’s cryin’, Lord, Kum-bah-yah . . .

       All Through the Night

      Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee, All through the night.

      Guardian angels God will send thee, All through the night.

      Soft and drowsy hours are creeping, Hill and vale in slumber sleeping.

      I, my loving vigil keeping, All through the night.

      While the moon her watch is keeping, All through the night.

      While the weary world is sleeping, All through the night.

      O’er thy spirit gently stealing, Visions of delight revealing,

      Breathes a pure and holy feeling, All through the night.

       Sweet and Low

      Sweet and low, sweet and low, Wind of the western sea,

      Low, low, breathe and blow, Wind of the western sea!

      Over the rolling waves we go, Come from the dying moon and blow,

      Blow him again to me; While my little one, my pretty one, Sleeps.

      Sleep and rest, sleep and rest, Father will come to thee soon;

      Rest, rest, on mother’s breast, Father will come to thee soon;

      Father will come to his babe in the nest, Silver sails all out of the west

      Under the silver moon; Sleep my little one, sleep my pretty one, Sleep.

       Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

      Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are.

      Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky,

      Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are.

      Weary travelers in the dark, Thank you for your little spark.

      Who could see which path to go, If you did not twinkle so?

      Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are.

       OLD WORLD TRADITIONS

      Each ethnic group has wonderful lullaby traditions. What are some of yours? These are worth preserving. If you don’t know any, ask your parents or grandparents. Every family has songs to pass along.

       Sleep Little Baby