During playtime, let your baby experience open and safe spaces, such as lying on a blanketed surface on the floor or on a play mat. Engage their body parts with games such as "cycle in the air", which involves you making circular motions with their legs.
Positive and responsive day-to-day interactions between parents (and/or other caregivers) encourage exploration and build babies’ brain structure for cognitive learning and problem solving. Ebbeck, M., Warrier, S. & Goh, M. (2018). Early Experiences Matter: A Relationships-Based Curriculum for the Birth-to-Three Age Group. Early Childhood Educ J 46, 83–92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-017-0847-9 Hanika, L., & Boyer, W. (2019). Imitation and Social Communication in Infants. Early Childhood Education Journal, 47(5), 615–626. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-019-00943-7 Mustard, J. F. (2002). Early Child Development and the Brain: The Base for Health, Learning, and Behaviour throughout Life. In From Early Child Development to Human Development: Investing in Our Children’s Future, edited by Mary Eming Young, 23–62. Washington, DC: World Bank.
The sensorimotor period begins with basic reflexes, advances in stages to complex sensory and motor skills and early symbolic thought. Physical development (mobility) allows children to begin developing new intellectual abilities.
By providing children opportunities for reflexes, sensory and gross motor development, they develop brain neurons linked to cognitive development.
Your baby’s very first playmates are their parents and other caregivers. Responsive interactions such as talking to babies and responding to babies' actions will encourage exploration and build their brains. National Research Council and Institute of Medicine (NRCIM) (2000) From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development. Committee on Integrating the Science of Early Childhood Development. Jack P. Shonkoff and Deborah A. Phillips, eds. Board on Children, Youth, and Families, Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press. Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Socio-cultural theory. Mind in society.