Did You
Know
At 3 Months I
Can --
- recognize
and tell differences between family
members.
- sit
with support.
- hold
my chest and head up while lying on my
stomach.
- gurgle
and coo in response to sounds.
- make
new sounds every day.
- turn
my head toward sound.
- turn
my head and notice bright colors and reach for
objects.
- take
part of my weight on my own legs when held
steady.
- grasp
a rattle placed in my fingers.
- suck
two kinds of ways while I am nursing -- fast or in a
slower way (read below to find out what I'm
learning!).
You Can Help Me
Learn and Grow!
You Can:
- Help
me learn how to pay attention. While I'm nursing or
eating, put an object close to me to look at. Slowly move
it away. This movement will make me stop sucking and
"place-hold" until you put the object back. Why is this
important? Because place-holding is holding myself ready
to continue an activity that has been interrupted. It
allows me to learn something about the object that was so
fascinating. I am "taking in" information from the
object, and then I use my "will" to continue nursing.
This helps me learn how to pay attention to
things!
- Play
peek-a-boo with me. Cover your face with your hands, then
open them and say "Boo!" Try moving to different parts of
the room or hiding behind the
furniture.
- Play
games involving naming the baby's body parts over and
over. Repeating words such as "nose," "eyes," "ears"
starts him learning right away!
"Thumbkin,
Pointer"
Thumbkin,
pointer, middleman big. (point to each of baby's fingers.)
Silly man, wee man, rig-a-jig-jig. (Roll baby's hands around
each other.)
Babies
are hard at work whenever they are awake, trying to learn
all about the world. To help them learn, you should give
them many different safe things to play with and inspect.
Objects you have around your home are good to
use:
- Plastic
colored bowls
- Measuring
cups and spoons.
- Boxes
and plastic containers.
- Noisemakers
(rattles, keys)
Put
one or two of the items in a safe play area where your baby
can reach them (more than two may confuse
him).
Give Me A Love
Message!
Tell
me you love me by:
- Touching
me -- Hold me gently and
securely.
- Looking
at me -- Look at me and smile.
- Hum,
whistle, or sing to me -- If your voice is low, gentle,
soothing, full of joy, and love, I will feel
it!
- Rock
me -- Find a rocker and use it while you give me the
"love messages" above.
Love
messages help nurture me; this helps my brain to
develop!!
Safety
Tips
You
are the most important watcher of your child's development.
If your child has special needs, early help can make a
difference.
- Get
your baby's shots on time!
- Put
your baby in a car seat every time you go
somewhere!
- Check
with your doctor first before you begin feeding solid
foods.
- Watch
out for toys that are stuffed or foam -- the baby
shouldn't be able to pull or chew off anything and
swallow it.
- Avoid
toys with sharp edges, corners, or points -- they could
hurt his eyes or mouth.
- Avoid
toys that can break or splinter.
- Make
sure strings on toys are shorter than 12 inches
long.
- Once
again -- remember to avoid any small toys -- make sure
they are larger than the end of a paper towel
tube.
- If
you are bottle-feeding, it is important not to prop the
bottle and leave your baby alone. Your baby needs to be
held during this special feeding time. When a baby has a
bottle in his mouth all night, the sugars in the juice or
milk can cause new baby teeth to ruin. So, NO PROPPING
during nap time, feeding time, or at
night.
Each
child develops at his or her own rate. This information is
meant to be a guide only.
For
more information, contact your county Extension agent.
By
Dr. Louise E. Davis, Child & Family Development
Specialist
Mississippi
State University
does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion,
national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.
Information
Sheet 1604
Extension Service of Mississippi State University,
cooperating with U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June
30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director
Copyright
by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.
This document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit
educational purposes provided that credit is given to the
Mississippi State University Extension Service.
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