how to play with a 7 month old
Playing with your 7 month old baby can be such a delightful and rewarding experience. Not only does it help in their overall development, but it also strengthens the bond between you and your little one. At this stage, your baby is becoming more curious about the world around them and is eager to explore and learn new things. As a parent, it is important to engage with them in activities that are not only fun but also aid in their growth and development. In this article, we will discuss various ways to play with your 7 month old baby, including the benefits of each activity, and how to make the most out of your playtime together.
1. Tummy Time
Tummy time is an essential activity for babies at this age. It helps in strengthening their neck, back, and arm muscles, which are crucial for their future motor skills development. You can start by placing your baby on their tummy for a few minutes, a few times a day, and gradually increase the duration as they become more comfortable. To make it more interesting, you can place colorful toys or a mirror in front of them to grab their attention and encourage them to reach out and grab the objects. You can also get down on the floor with them and make funny faces or noises to keep them engaged.
2. Sensory Play
Sensory play is a great way to stimulate your baby’s senses and help them explore the world around them. You can create a sensory bin by filling a container with various materials such as rice, beans, or water, and let your baby touch, feel, and play with the objects. You can also add in different textures, colors, and objects to make it more exciting. This activity not only helps in their sensory development but also promotes their fine motor skills as they grasp and manipulate the objects.
3. Peek-a-Boo
Peek-a-boo is a classic game that never gets old. At this age, your baby is starting to understand object permanence, and playing peek-a-boo can help reinforce this concept. It also helps in developing their social and emotional skills as they learn to take turns and communicate through gestures and sounds. You can play this game with a blanket, a scarf, or even your hands, making silly noises or hiding behind different objects to keep your baby engaged and giggling.
4. Baby Massage
Massaging your baby not only helps in their physical development but also creates a soothing and relaxing environment for both you and your little one. You can use gentle and slow strokes on their arms, legs, and back, using natural oils or baby lotion. This activity can help in improving their muscle tone, circulation, and digestion. It also promotes bonding between you and your baby as you both enjoy this special time together.
5. Nursery Rhymes and Songs
At this age, your baby is starting to recognize familiar sounds and words. Singing nursery rhymes and songs can help in their language development and improve their memory and listening skills. You can also use hand gestures or simple actions to make it more interactive. This activity also helps in promoting their cognitive skills as they try to anticipate the next line or movement. You can also introduce musical instruments such as shakers or drums to make it more fun and engaging.
6. Playing with Blocks
Playing with blocks is another great activity for your 7 month old. It helps in their hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and fine motor skills. You can start with soft or plastic blocks that are easy for them to grasp and stack. You can also encourage them to knock down the tower you have built, which can be a great source of entertainment for both you and your baby. As they grow, you can introduce different sizes, shapes, and colors of blocks to make it more challenging and interesting.
7. Mirror Play
Babies at this age are fascinated by their own reflection. You can use this to your advantage and play with them in front of a mirror. You can make funny faces, point out body parts, or even imitate their movements, which can help in promoting their social and emotional skills. This activity also helps in their self-awareness and identity development.
8. Water Play
Water play is not only fun but also has numerous benefits for your little one. You can fill a shallow tub or a sink with water and add in some bath toys or even kitchen utensils for your baby to play with. This activity helps in their sensory development, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive skills. You can also use this time to teach them about cause and effect by showing them how objects float or sink.
9. Texture Exploration
Babies at this age are very curious and love to touch and feel different textures. You can create a texture board by gluing different materials such as sandpaper, cotton balls, or bubble wrap onto a board. You can then let your baby explore the different textures by touching, feeling, and even mouthing them. This activity helps in their sensory development and promotes their fine motor skills as they manipulate the objects.
10. Reading Books
It is never too early to start reading to your baby. You can introduce simple board books with bright and colorful pictures and textures to keep them engaged. This activity helps in their language and cognitive development, as well as promoting their love for books and reading. You can also encourage them to turn the pages or point to objects in the book, which helps in their hand-eye coordination.
11. Ball Play
Babies at this age are starting to develop their gross motor skills and can enjoy playing with soft balls. You can roll the ball back and forth, play catch, or even bounce it, which helps in their hand-eye coordination and motor skills development. You can also use different sizes and textures of balls to make it more interesting for them.
12. Playtime with Other Babies
Socialization is an important aspect of a baby’s development. You can arrange playdates with other babies of the same age, which not only helps in their social skills but also gives them the opportunity to observe and learn from their peers. You can encourage them to play together or engage in parallel play, where they play next to each other but not necessarily together.
In conclusion, playing with your 7 month old baby is not only a fun and enjoyable experience but also a crucial part of their development. It is important to remember that babies at this age have a short attention span and may not be able to engage in one activity for a long time. Therefore, it is essential to keep the playtime short and varied, and most importantly, to follow your baby’s lead. Each baby is different, and it is essential to pay attention to their cues and adjust the activities accordingly. By playing with your baby, you are not only helping in their overall development but also creating beautiful memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.
don’t blank my mellow
“Don’t Blank My Mellow” – The Dangers of Suppressing Emotions
We live in a fast-paced society where the pressure to always be happy and positive is constantly present. From social media to self-help books, the message is clear – don’t let anything bring down your mood, don’t let anyone “blank your mellow”. While it may seem like a harmless phrase, the truth behind it is much more dangerous. The act of suppressing emotions is not only unhealthy but can also have long-term consequences on our mental and physical well-being. In this article, we will explore the concept of suppressing emotions, its effects, and how we can learn to embrace our feelings instead of hiding them.
What does it mean to “blank someone’s mellow”? The phrase originated in the 1960s and was commonly used in the hippie culture to describe someone ruining the vibe or energy of a situation. It has since evolved to mean suppressing someone’s emotions or discouraging them from expressing their true feelings. The idea behind it is that negative emotions should be avoided at all costs, and the only acceptable way to deal with them is to ignore them or push them away. But what are the consequences of this mentality?
Suppressing emotions can lead to a host of mental health issues. Studies have shown that people who suppress their emotions are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. This is because when we bottle up our emotions, they don’t disappear. Instead, they manifest in other ways, such as physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, and fatigue. It’s like trying to push a beach ball underwater – eventually, it will come shooting back up with even more force. Similarly, when we suppress our emotions, they can resurface in unexpected and sometimes harmful ways.
Furthermore, suppressing emotions can also have negative effects on our relationships. When we don’t express how we truly feel, it can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. We may also become distant and detached from our loved ones, as we are not allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and open with them. This can create a cycle of isolation and loneliness, which can further worsen our mental health.
One of the main reasons people suppress their emotions is the fear of being judged or rejected. We live in a society that values positivity and happiness above all else, and any display of negative emotions is often seen as a weakness. We are conditioned to believe that we should always be in control of our emotions and that showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. It takes courage and strength to be open and honest about our feelings, and it is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of authenticity and self-awareness.
It’s important to understand that all emotions are valid and necessary. Just like how we need both the sun and rain for a balanced ecosystem, we need both positive and negative emotions to have a healthy emotional state. Suppressing our emotions is like trying to block out the rain – it may seem like a good idea at first, but eventually, everything will dry up and wither away. In the same way, suppressing our emotions can dampen our ability to experience joy and happiness.
Moreover, suppressing our emotions can also lead to a lack of self-awareness. When we push our feelings away, we are not allowing ourselves to truly understand and process them. This can result in a disconnect from our true selves, making it difficult to understand our needs and desires. By embracing our emotions and acknowledging them, we can gain a better understanding of ourselves and our inner workings, leading to personal growth and self-improvement.
So, how can we learn to embrace our emotions instead of suppressing them? First and foremost, it’s essential to recognize that all emotions are valid and that it’s okay to feel them. It’s also important to create a safe space for ourselves where we can express our emotions without fear of judgment or rejection. This could be through journaling, talking to a trusted friend or therapist, or engaging in activities that allow us to process our feelings, such as painting or dancing.
Practicing mindfulness can also help us become more aware of our emotions and how they affect us. By being present in the moment and acknowledging our feelings, we can learn to understand and accept them without judgment. This can also help us identify any patterns or triggers that may be causing certain emotions, allowing us to address them in a healthy way.
In conclusion, the phrase “don’t blank my mellow” may seem harmless, but the concept behind it is dangerous. Suppressing emotions can have serious consequences on our mental and physical health, as well as our relationships and self-awareness. It’s time to break the stigma surrounding negative emotions and learn to embrace them as an essential part of being human. By doing so, we can lead happier, more authentic lives and create a more accepting and understanding society. So, don’t let anyone “blank your mellow”, embrace your emotions and let them be a guide on your journey towards self-discovery and growth.