Home made baby buggy book

Here is a simple idea for a home made textured baby buggy book that can be used time and time again.  

Items I used:

• Funky foam sheets (otherwise known as neoprene)
• Scissors 
• Various pieces of textured fabric
• Glue gun
• The top of a pringles crisp tube or similar
• Ribbon
• Hole punch

Cut out the shapes for the pages that you require.  As you can see I have used a simple flower shape for this book.

Cut out circles from the various textured fabric pieces for the middle of the flower pages and glue down in the centre of each page.

Make a hole using the hole punch in each of the pages and thread the ribbon through.

Choose the fabric of your choice for the centre of the pringles lid and glue securely before gluing the lid to the centre of the top page of the book.

And there you have it!  An easy and cheap to make book.

Developing routines: Babies

Babies need warmth, nourishment, sleep, safety and love.  For us parents, these needs can sometimes feel overwhelming and never ending. 

One of the most useful things to remember in the first years is that because babies grow and develop so fast, patterns are constantly changing.  Managing to establish a few familiar routines, even when things are changing so fast, helps babies as well as adults.  When routines become familiar and enjoyable, babies feel safer and more secure.

Enjoyable routines in the day

Routines develop from the things that happen regularly every day.  Every family is different and every bay / parent relationships is different, but it generally helps when normal daily patterns can become enjoyable occasions for everyone.  These can include:

• Eating
• Nappy changing fun getting to know
• Getting dressed
• Hello and goodbyes
• Washing / bath time
• Getting up
• Cuddles
• Bedtime

During nappy changing, getting dressed, playtime, getting up etc a good activity to do with your baby is to play Peepo.  Babies have always loved this game because of the surprise in store.  It can go on for a while depending on your baby.  Different family members can also play this game with your little one as its really easy and free!

Ideas to play Peepo...

• You can use anything to hide your face from your baby - a tea towel, scarf, hat, etc.  Try see through material or a see through scarf for younger babies so that they can see that you are still there and don't get distressed.
• Try making different faces, sounds or animal noises
• try the game using a special teddy or similar peeping out
• Try whispering Peepo and then get louder and louder - but not shouting

Playing Peepo helps babies to:

• Have fun getting to know people
• Develop a sense of humour
• Develop communication skills - babbling
• Look, listen and respond
• grow in confidence

Every day see through scarves are the best...check out your wardrobe : )

The curiosity pool....

A curiosity pool is a great way to encourage children to explore and discover everyday objects.  The aim of the curiosity pool are:

• To develop an awareness of objects
• To develop a child's language skills
• To develop an interest in games

It's a great way to have fun with your little one while developing their language and learning through play.

What you need:

• A small child's paddling pool or baby bath (empty - no water)
• A couple of cushions so that your little one is comfortable in the pool / bath
• A selection of items for your child to explore, e.g. fruit, toys, items from around the home which are safe such as empty boxes so you can hide items too, wooden spoons, clean shiny scouring pads (see previous post about treasure baskets for ideas)

Let your child sit in the pool and explore the items safely with you. remember o give them enough time to do this.  If a child is rushed they can become frustrated.  You can hide items in the boxes or behind cushions to vary the game as it goes on. 

Age range for this activity: From when your little one is able to sit up.  However older children can still have fun by joining in with it. 

In the summer months you can use this activity outside.  Try adding a little water to the pool and see if you can make items float or sink.  Remember though....DONT leave your child unattended!

Taking turns:
The skills needed to take turns start to emerge in young babies.  When a child is very young they will start to take turns in their baby talk, copying sounds they hear.  This turn taking  goes on to develop into the child's ability to take turns to look and listen to you as you speak and as you then take your turn to look and listen to them.  You will see this happen during the activity.