"Games to Play with Babies"- Jackie Silberg

The latest research affirms the importance of stimulating babies to help their brain cells form connections, paving the way for future learning. The games included in Jackie Silberg’s book Games to Play With Babies will help to stimulate the connections in babies’ brains. In addition, they will improve babies’ listening skills, spark their curiosity, increase their awareness of their bodies and help them develop a sense of humor. Each game describes what babies will learn by playing it. For example, your 0–3 month old baby will learn social skills while playing ‘Baby Boop’, as you touch baby’s different places and make the sound ‘boop’ with each touch. Games to Play With Babies will allow you to interact with your baby as well as teach her valuable skills while having fun.

Find more info here: Brilliant Publications – Publishers of Creative Educational Resources, U.K net.

Not familiar with Jackie Silberg but definitely agree that talking and engaging with infants is key for sure .... the more we talk and label things the more vocabulary they develop - however the thing that concerns me about messages like this is that while 'engagement' is important and GOOD too much of a' good thing' turns into a BAD thing ... life is about balance ....babies also need uninterrupted floor time to just 'explore' the world around them and discover their own physical and motor self as well as how to 'self learn' through a well laid out environment ;)

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Originally Posted by roxanna

For example, your 0–3 month old baby will learn social skills while playing ‘Baby Boop’, as you touch baby’s different places and make the sound ‘boop’ with each touch.\

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Really? Do people need to be told these things? Sometimes I'm amazed at common sense things that are put into type and text book. Am I alone here?

I'm not trying to trash the book . I'm sure that it has some GREAT ideas for parents and caregivers alike but this example from the book makes me wonder whether the book isn't giving enough credit to the intelligence of the human race OR if I give TOO much credit.

Yup you are not alone FlexFunCare - we have been playing peek-a-boo and round and round the garden with babies for eons long before most people knew how to 'read and write' they have been signing and playing with babies ;)

Phew! . . . almost felt bad posting that

A lot of books like that are meant for new first time moms. Think back to when you were a teen and babysitting or just starting out in daycare. You knew all the songs, nursery rhymes, etc. but you had to actually stop and think about it for a minute. For new moms it will have been years since they did some of these things depending on how much exposure they have had to other mothers. For them just having a list of ideas is not such a bad thing. Is it just second nature to most caregivers yes probably. It is the kind of book that makes a great coffee table type book for interviews where you can show it to parents and let them know that you will be doing "learning" things with their infant too. Sometimes it is nice to be able to grab a book and get the words to the second verse or the tune for a song you just can't remember. Not sure about the book mentioned since it looks like it might be ideal for moms on mat leave vice caregivers who get children starting care at a year old but for those that have never had the exposure at home it might be very useful. It could also be a good discussion book to use with moms at interviews to see what their attitudes are on play, spending time with baby and education methods.