Susan M. Heim, co-author of Boosting Your Baby's Brain Power (Great Potential Press, 2008), recommends starting more lively exercises when your baby is 3 to 6 months old. "Spread out a soft, fuzzy blanket," she says. "Lay your baby down on her back. Hold each of her feet in each of your hands and 'bicycle' your baby's legs and feet. Vary the speed of the imaginary 'bicycle ride,' always keeping in mind the fragility of your little pumpkin. Now, hold your baby's hands. Gently move her wrists back and forth. You are working to strengthen and elongate muscles, just like a physical therapist."

Once your baby has progressed to crawling, cruising and walking, use everyday objects in your house to create fun activities. Heather Flett, co-author of The Rookie Mom's Handbook: 250 Activities to Do with and Without Your Baby (Quirk Books, 2008), suggests setting up an obstacle course in your home with pillows and furniture to give your pre-crawler or crawler something to conquer. Or let your baby have fun with some of your safe, yet intriguing, exercise equipment.

"Bust out the yoga ball and bounce your baby or let him push the giant ball around for a fun and funny new use for your birth ball," Flett says.

Dr. Altman recommends parents use simple but sturdy objects to help Baby develop fine motor skills, as most of these things will inevitably end up in Baby's mouth. From about 6 months of age and up, practice passing items such as teething rings and rattles back and forth with your baby. Begin introducing songs that include finger play, such as "Pat-A-Cake" and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider."

Around 9 and 10 months of age, take advantage of your baby's newly acquired self-feeding skills in conjunction with fine motor skills practice.

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