Fun baby games can boost your child's skills and development! They don't need to be complicated, and if your child is very young, they shouldn't be. You’re probably already doing most of these! Here are some development-boosting games for infants:

1. Peek-a-Boo

Playing peek-a-boo may be the simplest of games, but for a very young child it works wonders! Until babies are around 9 months old, they don't realize that you're still there when your face is covered. So your child will be fascinated by your disappearing and reappearing act. This baby game may even help your child become more comfortable in the world when she realizes that you'll come back even when you "go away."

2. Monkey See, Monkey Do

Whether you realize it or not, you’re constantly reading your child’s signals throughout the day. Why not incorporate this into a game for them! Let your baby take the lead and try imitating some of their movements and sounds. This will help your baby develop a foundation for conversation skills. Also, when baby smiles, smile back. This will help your baby develop the sense that he/she realizes you're both having fun and enjoying each other’s company.

3. Patty Cake

This well-known clapping game may seem silly, but it's a great way to help your baby develop a number of important skills. The rhythm and repetitiveness of the tune will help your baby develop language skills. As your child gets older, he'll probably try to imitate the movements you're making with your hands, which will help him develop his large motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Patty cake is a simple game with more benefits than you would think.

4. Rhyming Games

Babies love to listen to the voices of people they know, and they're also intrigued by repetitive sounds. Give your baby the opportunity to hear both by regularly saying nursery rhymes or other kid-friendly rhyming games. You can have rhyme time anytime -- in the bath, during snuggle time, or when you're riding in the car. These are all perfect opportunities to entertain baby and boost language skills.

5. Sing-Along

Babies love a lot of different music, but especially soothing and rhythmic sounds. Even if you don't have the best voice, baby will love for you to sing to him, and it will help you deepen the parent-child bond. Additionally, songs don't even need to be "real" songs to make for a development boosting game – make something up that’s silly and fun for them!

Written by Alicia Overby - Founder & President of Baby Elephant Ears

Alicia is wife, mother, and creator of Baby Elephant Ears. Baby Elephant Ears was created out of parental concern, not financial desire. In 2005, when their second child was an infant, he cried all the time and just couldn't seem to get comfortable.

After seeking advice and suggestion from the medical community and alternative medicine, they eventually ended up in the chiropractors office where their baby was successfully treated for asubluxation, discomfort most likely the result of the strain during labor, which was now being exacerbated by the normal lack of infant neck strength. Only proper neck, head, and back alignment would offer him relief. When they couldn't find a product to give their baby the necessary support, Alicia took matters into her own hands and crafted her own infant support pillow. The first Baby Elephant Ears was born!

For more information, visit www.babyelephantears.com.

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