Together Time Tuesday: Rhythm Dance Party! 02/15/2011

It’s time to put on your dancin’ shoes and introduce your little one to the world of rhythm! In celebration of our new World of Rhythm Discovery Kit we’ve put together a few ideas for a baby dance and music party. Turn your living room into a disco and explore the world of rhythm and music together!

Move to the Music
Kick off your dance party with the World of Rhythm CD or your favorite Radio Disney station. Start off by bouncing your baby to the beat of the music and watch as she begins to follow the rhythm. Continue the party by clapping and snapping with your little disco queen. Clap along to the music and your baby will soon follow suit. If your tiny dancer is a bit too tiny, lead the way by clapping her hands together for her. If your baby is walking or standing already, show her how to stomp her feet to the beat- just be careful, she might not stop!

Baby Beats
Now it’s time to break out the musical instruments and make your own music! If you have small musical toys like tambourines or maracas, incorporate them into the dance party. Show your baby how to shake and pat the instruments to make music. The Baby Einstein Rain Stick Pal is the perfect toy for shaking and baby will love the musical rain sound it creates. If you don’t have any of these toys or instruments on hand, make them! You can easily make maracas using a paper or plastic cup, rice and paper. Fill the cup half-way with rice and cover it using the paper and either a rubber band or tape. Now you have an instant instrument; just shake and enjoy! You can also invade the kitchen and create a drum set out of pots, pans, Tupperware and wooden spoons. Demonstrate for your baby first and then sit back and watch as he bangs away!

Rock on, baby!

Discovering Water with Your Little One: How to Turn Bath Time into Playtime! 02/11/2011

Dive into the wonderful world of water with your little one! Exploring water is fun for you and baby. During these cold winter months it’s not always possible to enjoy time at a pool, beach or lake with your little fish, so we’ve come up with a few ideas to make the most out of baby’s bath time. Take a look at our fun-filled water games below and get splashin’!

Splish, Splash!!
Splash around with your little fish! Show your baby how to pat the water with her hands. She will love the big splashes the water makes and also the sound of the water. Show her that bath time can easily turn into playtime!

Toys Galore
Introducing new toys opens up a whole new world of fun for your little one. Instead of bringing the same old rubber ducky into the tub, switch it up a bit by adding household items to the bath. Plastic measuring cups, toy watering cans, ping pong balls and sponges are great items that can double as bath toys. Show your baby how to pour the water with the cups and watering cans. If she’s too young to pour herself, do it for her. Your baby will love the sound of the cascading water and will also love the feel of the water being poured on her. Start on her body and move up to her head when she’s ready!

Ping pong balls are great toys to help your baby discover floating and sinking. Push the balls to the bottom of the tub and your baby will squeal with delight as they pop to the top! Another household item that’s great for the bath is sponges. Squeeze the water-filled sponges on your baby’s body and she’ll love the way the sponge feels. Just make sure the sponge is clean as babies love to suck on them!

Bubbles, Bubbles everywhere!
Everyone loves bubbles! Show your baby how to blow bubbles in the water by using a straw. Demonstrate how to blow bubbles first, then hold the straw and have your baby try it. Once he’s old enough you can introduce the ping pong balls and show how blowing bubbles will move the ping pong balls across the water.

Wheels on the Bus
Singing ‘Wheels on the Bus’ is a playtime favorite and can easily turn into the perfect bath time game. Just follow the lyrics and act it out with your little fish. For “up and down” bounce your baby up and down in the water. During “round and round” spin them gently in the water. When it comes to the part of the song where the “wipers go swish, swish, swish” hold your baby securely and sway them back and forth in the water. Enjoy!

Remember: Safety First! Never leave your baby unattended in the water. Infants and toddlers can drown in just a few inches of water. Also be sure to wipe up any excess water around the bath to avoid slipping.

Guest Blogger Spotlight: Discovering Books with Happily Domestic 02/09/2011

One of the most important things we can give our children is a love for reading. How do we do this? We do this by giving our little ones (including babies) every opportunity to discover books.

In our house we keep a large basket filled with colorful, fun, soft cloth books and chunky board books. We keep this basket in our living room where the books can easily be accessed by our baby and toddler throughout the day. It always pleases me when I see one of my children enthralled in a book because I know it is increasing their intelligence and growing their imagination!

When my children were babies I gave them each a soft cloth book of their very own. It was fun to watch my babies explore the books for the first time. Slowly turning pages, slapping the book with their chubby little hands, wide eyed as they discover new colors and pictures! I will never forget those special times.

As my children have grown reading continues to be a special part of our day. My baby and toddler like to bring books to me throughout the day and we read together. They love hopping up in my lap and pointing to all the pictures. They love to make the sounds of animals and cars. They love when mom reads in silly voices making them laugh. It is a lot of fun!

Reading can be such a special bonding time. I know it has brought my children and I closer together. With all the busyness and chaos of the day it is nice to have that special, quiet time with my children.

Beth Hunter is a stay at home mom to 4 children ages 10, 8, 2 and 1. Between homeschooling and caring for her babies, she is one busy mama! You can read more about her at her blog, Happily Domestic.

Lullaby and Goodnight 02/04/2011

One of the most soothing sounds for your baby is your voice, so why not sing your little one to sleep with a classic lullaby? Help to relax your baby while also helping her discover the world of music. If you have older children, have them join in and make baby’s bedtime a fun, family event. Below are the lyrics to some classic lullabies to ease your baby into a peaceful sleep.

Baa Baa Black Sheep
Traditional English Lullaby first printed in Tommy Thumb’s Pretty Song Book

Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, have you any wool?
Yes, sir, Yes, sir, three bags full
One for the master, One for the dame,
And one for the little boy who lives down the lane.
Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, have you any wool?
Yes, sir, Yes, sir, three bags full

Hush Little Baby
Author Unknown

If that mockingbird don’t sing,
Mama’s gonna buy you a diamond ring
If that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama’s gonna buy you a looking glass
If that looking glass gets broke,
Mama’s gonna buy you a billy goat
If that billy goat won’t pull,
Mama’s gonna buy you a cart and bull
If that cart and bull turn over,
Mama’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover
If that dog named Rover won’t bark, Mama’s gonna buy you a horse and cart
If that horse and cart fall down, You’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town
Hush little baby don’t say a word.
Mama’s gonna buy you a mockingbird

Brahms Lullaby
Written by: Johannes Brahms

Lullaby and good night,
With roses bedight
With lilies o’er spread
Is baby’s wee bed
Lay thee down now and rest, May thy slumber be blessed
Lullaby and goodnight,
Thy mother’s delight,
Bright angels beside
My darling abide
They will guard thee at rest, Thou shalt wake on my breast

Rock-a-bye Baby
Traditional English Lullaby, AuthorUnknown

Rock-a-bye baby, on the tree top
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall
And down will come baby, cradle and all

 
In honor of our upcoming Baby Lullaby Discovery Kit, we want to know: What are your baby’s favorite lullabies? What songs best soothe your baby? Share your little one’s favorites in the comments section below!