WiseTip: PM-PHL-M0009-P01A

Physical & Motor Development

Physical Health & Well-Being

Move a colourful object slowly in front of your baby’s eyes from about 30cm away. See if your little one can follow this object with their gaze as you move it left, right, up, down, and in a slow circle.

WHY IT MATTERS

Babies are learning to track objects using their eyes. Soon they will be tracking you as you move around the room.

Zero to Three (2015, Feb 26). Stages of Play from Birth to 6 Months: A Full-Body Experience! Retrieved from: https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/312-stages-of-play-from-birth-to-6-months-a-full-body-experience

A shifting gaze between two objects means babies can focus their attention and vision on objects they find interesting.

Zero to Three (2015, Feb 26). Stages of Play from Birth to 6 Months: A Full-Body Experience! Retrieved from: https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/312-stages-of-play-from-birth-to-6-months-a-full-body-experience

Babies should not be exposed to screen time as television viewing by infants and toddlers may be associated with irregular sleep.

“I’m Not Sleepy!” (2006). Scholastic Parent & Child, 13(5), 56–57.

When babies and young children watch television, their brains are stimulated by the animated scenes that appear on the television. Additionally, overexposure to light from the TV can affect their vision at a young age.

Parents and caregivers need support in developing their capacity to create positive, sensitive and engaging interactions with their infants and toddlers.

Nenide, L., & Sontoski, S. (2014). Breaking the Cycle: Supporting Parent--Child Relationships Through the “Parents Interacting with Infants” Intervention. Zero to Three, 34(6), 31–36.