Jackie Sillberg - 125 Brain Games for Babies, Revised

125 Brain Games
for Babies :Simple Games to Promote
Early Brain Development,
Revisedby Jackie Silbergwith contributions from
Keith PentzIllustrated by Kathi DeryAlso by Jackie Silberg:125 Brain Games for Toddlers and Twos: Simple Games to Promote Early Brain Development, Revised300 Three Minute Games: Quick and Easy Activities for 25 Year Olds500 Five Minute Games: Quick and Easy Activities for 36 Year OldsAll About MeBaby Smarts: Games for Playing and LearningBrain Games for Babies, Toddlers, and Twos: 140 Fun Ways to Boost DevelopmentThe Complete Book of Activities, Games, Stories, Props, Recipes, and Dances for Young Children: Over 600 Selections, with Pam SchillerThe Complete Book of Rhymes, Songs, Poems, Fingerplays, andChants: Over 700 Selections, with Pam SchillerGames to Play with Babies, 3rd EditionGames to Play with Toddlers, RevisedGames to Play with Two-Year-Olds, RevisedGo Anywhere Games for BabiesHello Rhythm: Rhythm Activities, Songs, and Games to Develop SkillsHello Sound: Creative Music Activities for Parents and Teachers of Young ChildrenHigglety, Pigglety, Pop! 233 Playful Rhymes and ChantsThe I Cant Sing Book: For Grownups Who Cant Carry a Tune in a Paper Bag But Want to Do Music with Young ChildrenI Live in KansasI Love Children SongbookLearning Games: Exploring the Senses Through PlayThe Learning Power of LaughterLets Be FriendsLollipops and Spaghetti Activity Book: Developmental ActivitiesMy Toes Are Starting to Wiggle and Other Easy Songs for Circle TimePeanut Butter, Tarzan, and Roosters Activity BookReading GamesSing YeladimSniggles, Squirrels, and Chickenpox: 40 Original Songs with Activities for Early ChildhoodSongs to Sing with Babies2012 Jackie Silberg

Published by Gryphon House, Inc. PO Box 10, Lewisville, NC 27023 800.638.0928; 877.638.7576 (fax)

Ability in infants. 2. Ability in children. 3. IntellectProblems, exercises, etc. 4.

Learning, Psychology ofProblems, exercises, etc. 5. Infant psychology. 6. Child psychology. I.

Title.BF720.A24S57 2012649.122dc23 2011049681Bulk PurchaseGryphon House books are available for special premiums and sales promotions as well as for fund-raising use. Special editions or book excerpts also can be created to specifications. For details, contact the Director of Marketing at Gryphon House.DisclaimerGryphon House, Inc. cannot be held responsible for damage, mishap, or injury incurred during the use of or because of activities in this book. Appropriate and reasonable caution and adult supervision of children involved in activities and corresponding to the age and capability of each child involved is recommended at all times. Do not leave children unattended at any time.

Observe safety and caution at all times.

Your beautiful, precious newborn is here! So fragile, so innocent, and so sweetwhat can you do to help your baby grow and develop? When do you talk to him, rock him, and sing to him? The answer is every day! When will she be able to understand what you are saying? When will she recognize who you are? The answer is now!Every time you talk to, rock, sing to, and touch your baby, you are helping his brain develop. The neurons in your babys brain are connecting and becoming pathways.There are many things that a newborn baby can already do:Focus on faces that are within eight inches of her face;Recognize your voice and turn his head toward the sound of your voice;Respond to being touched;Suck;Yawn, sneeze, and hiccup;Grasp things that are placed in her hands; andCommunicate with crying.By the time a child is three years old, the brain has formed one thousand trillion connectionsabout twice as many as adults have. Some brain cells, called neurons, are hardwired to other cells before birth. They control the babys heartbeat, breathing, and reflexes and regulate other functions essential to survival. The rest of the brain connections are waiting to be hooked up. The connections that neurons make with other neurons are called synapses.