Day 308 - Play Kick Instead of Catch

Today's first time parenting tip - Play kick the ball rather than catch the ball

At 10 or 11 months, your baby probably won't get the hang of playing catch. Our son mostly just watches the ball come towards him as we roll it along the floor, it'll hit him, he'll laugh and then pick it up. He enjoys it quite a bit, but what he loves even more is to kick the ball.

Since he can walk around pretty well and cruises on furniture like there's no tomorrow, he likes to walk with the ball in front of him and follow it all around the apartment. Another fun game we do with him is pick him up by both arms and swing him low to the ground so his legs whack the ball all the way across the room.

Just like his soccer playing mom, he likes kicking better than catching. And it's another great way to help him develop physical coordination and work those big motor muscles. And if he ends up like David Beckham, 250 million would put us in a pretty nice retirement home.

Parenting, Kick, Game, Large, Motor

Day 296 - Tag, You're It

Today's first time parenting tip - Play tag with your baby

Looking for a fun game you can play just about anywhere with your baby? They'll usually love tag, or any type of game where you come to get them. My son likes to hide behind the bedroom door, peek around and then run away once he knows I've seen him.

Games like this are great for social and physical development, and they usually get a big laugh and smile too. The best games are often simple, easy and don't have too many rules.

A fun variation on tag is to put soft obstacles like pillows around the room, and then to chase each other around them. As an added bonus, make them colored pillows and call out the color as you go by them.

Parenting, Game, Tag, Fun, Development