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Baby's Gotta Move!
How Movement Affects Baby's Brain Development
By Rae Pica, Children's Movement Specialist
Rolling Over: Babies' first movements are reflexive, or involuntary. Rolling over is a voluntary movement – and one you can encourage by providing a little incentive. While Baby is lying on her back, sit behind her, holding a small toy over her head. Once you have Baby's attention, move the toy very slowly to one side, all the while encouraging her to get it. If Baby rolls over, present her with the toy. You can later repeat the game on the other side.
Blowing Bubbles: Blow bubbles for Baby to watch (making sure they're far enough away so they don't pop in his face). When Baby's old enough, encourage him to reach for the bubbles – or for any other object of desire you place above him. Such games promote visual tracking and eye-hand coordination.
Patty-cake: Games like patty-cake have lasted through the years because they work so well with infants. They offer opportunities for social interaction, imitation, touch and rhythmic awareness – and yet another chance for Baby to hear your voice.
Crossing the Midline: To encourage crossing the midline of the body (the invisible line running from head to toes and dividing the body into left and right sides), hand Baby desirable items in such a way that she has to 
reach across her body to retrieve them from you. Later, when Baby is crawling and creeping, place a brightly colored object or favorite toy on the floor, just out of reach, encouraging her to go get it. Then, as long as she seems to enjoy the game (she's laughing instead of fussing), keep moving it.
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