Baby and The Bath

It's important to always remember that every moment with baby is another learning opportunity. Even just having fun together is a learning activity for baby. Play time is loaded with opportunities for baby to have their mind enriched with games and toys that teach all sorts of skills – from social skills, to motor skills, to rational and learning skills.

Bath time is no different, and there are number of easy things you can do to turn baby bath time into both a fun and a learning experience.

Before undressing baby for bath time, introduce baby to all the objects around them. Introduce baby, especially, to the bath items such as the sponge, the shampoo, the bath and the soap etc. Let baby know what the uses of each of the items are – soap is for cleaning the body, the sponge helps that to happen, shampoo is for the hair, and whatever else you feel is necessary. This helps baby to develop their language – they see soap, and they hear the word 'soap.' It also helps baby to start learning what is for what (and that not everything is for eating.)

While bathing baby, talk to baby about what it is you're doing. When you wash baby's head, tell baby that you're washing their head. When you're washing baby's shoulders, hands, etc. let baby know the parts of the body you're cleaning. Baby is now also learning about their own body and what each part is called. Sometimes we may feel as if baby is not responding, but this is far from the case. Baby is always learning, even when it seems that they aren't.

Music while bathing baby can also be incredibly helpful, as it has long been known to be quite a stimulant for the brain. This is one of the reasons why it's a very good idea, while pregnant, to play classical or soothing music for baby. It's often been said that the music that was most often played for baby, while baby was in the womb, helps to put the baby to sleep. Expose baby to many different types of music, and let the sounds stimulate their mind, making bath time even more fun and adventurous for them. Singing to baby also helps, as this comforts and delights, while getting the baby used to your voice, to singing, and to language. Babies love singing, and bath time is a great time to do it.

Bath toys are not there just for diversion, but are created to stimulate baby as well. There are wonderful bath toys available that are fun and educational, while stimulating the imagination. Every day, and every moment, is packed with learning for baby, and making bath time another one of these moments will, no doubt, produce wonderful results in the end.