A smart start to life - part 1

In the foreword to Margaret Sasse's book "Smart Start", Professor Frances Page Glascoe points out that kids in Gymbaroo sessions are mostly accompanied by their dads. This is obviously somewhat unusual and you'd be well aware of the "alone among women" phenomenon if you've done your fair share of parenting education / activity groups for kids. So this is great - it means Margaret has found a formula that works for dads! To celebrate this we've got agreement from the publisher of her book to post a mini series of exercises dads can do with their kids at home. The book is divided into 8 chapters (by age range) - so we will post one exercise from each group ... and hey there may be a prize in it for you at the end!

First up is a simple exercise for babies who can lift up their head (i.e. typically 3 months or older). It's called "Rocking" and what you do is get on the floor (ideally where you've got a soft surface - like carpet), sit up with your legs stretched out and put bubs in your thighs with his feet against your stomach. Hold onto his hands and rock backwards and up to the sitting position again. Do this a few times (not more than 10) - this exercise gives your little champ an opportunity to experience alternating between lying down and being upright. Great for developing balance and as preparation for later on when he tries to pull himself up to practice walking.

Enjoy,
Stef

For more exercises like these check out Margaret Sasse's book "Smart Start". It's definitely a good investment of 30 bucks and you can buy the book in most bookstores or online at Exisle Publishing.