Tummy Time

Place newborn babies on their tummies several times a day - after naps, eating and diaper changes - when they are awake and content. Tummy time promotes the development of strong head and neck muscles by allowing the baby to hold up the head against gravity. During tummy time, babies bear weight on their arms and hands, learn to reach with the eyes and the hands together, and eventually move through space to explore.

Get down on your tummy too. Interact with the infant, encouraging movement. As babies gain strength, tummy time becomes more fun. Their first random movements enhance posture and coordination, eye tracking, arm rotation and hand strength. Babies become stronger, using large motor skills for rocking, scooting, crawling, rolling over, pulling to a sitting position, reaching for toys, pulling themselves up to cruise from one to another piece of furniture and finally, walking.

This may look like play but it is actually work. Give the baby time to do his work so that he learns to do it well.

Related Training:
45 Hour Infant and Toddler Focus
Stages of Physical Growth and Development in Infants