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Basic Exercises for Babies
Infancy refers to the stage of development from birth to the onset of walking (approximately one year of age). As parents and childcare providers know, this is one of the most incredible times of growth and development. Little ones move from helplessness to self-assurance, from flailing involuntary movements to purposeful, precise motor skills, and from quiet contemplation to bubbling personality. Possibilities abound and caregivers may be amazed by daily developments.
Research indicates that many of an adult's unique qualities results from the experiences of his or her first three years. With more and more moms entering the work force, this initial year of life is often directed by other caregivers, who can provide wonderful support for a baby's growth and development.
Do infants need a vast array of stimulating toys, flashcards and developmental aids in order to successfully navigate this first year? Do infants achieve greater motor proficiency and higher cognitive development if they are exposed to the right music, the right toys, and the right exercises? Are expensive materials or specific activities necessary for optimal development? Stimulation using toys and music may be beneficial but providing infants with time and personal attention can have many benefits without the expense. Infants need attention in the form of hugs, kisses, laughter, face-to-face contact, gentle caresses, communication, and love. Touching and cuddling can stimulate physical growth. Reading to a child or simply talking to her can foster language development. Even everyday experiences such as watching sunlight coming through the blinds, leaves falling from the trees, or a ball rolling across the floor can stimulate curiosity and overall development. The key is to recognize that nurturing is essential.
Here are some simple interactions and "exercise routines" you can perform with the infants in your care to assist in their mental and physical development:
- Place the infant on his stomach across your legs while in a sitting position. This encourages him to hold his head up and begin to support his own weight with his hands.
- Place the infant on a pad on her tummy, allowing her to practice lifting her head and kicking her legs.
- With the infant in a prone position, place a bright colored object a few feet to encourage body movement and reaching and grasping skills.
- An infant propped in a sitting position can be directed to place his hands on a ball and then assisted in rolling the ball forward. This helps him learn to straighten his arms and develop the ability to perform the task without assistance.
- Help the infant bend and rotate her head and trunk by stimulating hand and foot play. Place the infant in a sitting position between your legs; support the head and the elbows while bringing one arm forward to reach for the opposite foot. The child will begin to pull herself forward in order to reach her feet.
- While you are in a comfortable sitting position, place the infant on his back with his feet on your chest. Bring his arms forward until the hands are together in front of the child's eyes. This increases the infant's awareness of his own hands and stimulates further hand explorations.
- Support a child upright to encourage balance and strength development.
- Games like peek-a-boo stimulate communication and help the infant to realize that after people disappear, they can come back.
- Cooing or babbling with an infant develops initial verbal interaction.
- Provide a clean, safe floor and allow the child to explore freely. Encourage creeping, crawling, and eventually walking.
- Avoid walkers. Instead, encourage crawling and walking.
- Give applause and smiles for early attempts at any new skill. This encourages the infant to continue exploratory efforts.
Exercise for infants basically involves playful yet purposeful interaction. Infants need to see new sights; to be touched; to wiggle and explore; to move their body parts; and to reach and grasp out into their new world. Advanced educational degrees, expensive toys, and state-of-the-art equipment are not necessary to support healthy infant development. However, love, gentle caresses, and regular communication are priceless.
Karen Fredenburg, PhD
Assistant Professor, Baylor University, Waco, TX
Donna Stauber, PhD, CHES
AVP Strategic Planning, Hillcrest Health System, Waco, TX
Internet Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement on infant exercise: www.aap.org/policy/02223.html
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