Lovely childcare

[Childcare] Play and games for 0-year-old babies: Fun developmental and educational activities

9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

Just looking at tiny, adorable babies makes you feel happy, doesn’t it?

We tend to think that newborns spend most of their time sleeping, but it’s also a period of remarkable growth.

Interacting closely and playing together with familiar people provides babies with plenty of stimulation and has very positive effects on their physical and mental development, as well as on attachment formation.

Let’s actively incorporate lots of play not only at daycare but at home, too.

In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of activities you can enjoy together with your baby.

From bonding games and sensory play to activities using educational toys, a wide variety of play ideas are gathered here!

Find the perfect activities that match your baby’s age in months and developmental stage.

[Childcare] Play and games for 0-year-old babies: Fun developmental and educational activities (41–50)

Fingerplay “The Itomaki (Spool Winding)”

[Fingerplay Song] The Thread-Spooling Song – A Nursery Rhyme Babies Love

Fingerplay “The Itomaki (Spool Winding)”

A classic hand-play song that it’s no exaggeration to say everyone hears in early childhood! Just hearing “Itomaki-maki” makes you want to whirl your hands around.

When playing with a baby, gently hold their hands as if wrapping them, and rotate them in circles.

At first, the baby may curiously watch their own hands spinning, but before long they’ll feel the fun of moving and break into a smile.

It’s also recommended to change what’s made by winding the thread to something like “○○-chan’s shoes,” and call their name lots of times!

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Fingerplay “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

[Hand Play Song] If You're Happy and You Know It — A nursery rhyme that makes babies smile and rejoice

Fingerplay “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

The children’s song “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” which is often sung at kindergartens and daycare centers, is perfect for bonding play with babies too! Gently hold their hands and clap together, or while seated, hold their feet and tap-tap to bring both feet together—enjoy your time with your baby while touching their whole body.

As you keep moving along to the song and let them hear it repeatedly, they may start flailing their hands and feet on their own.

When they begin to move spontaneously, be sure to praise them enthusiastically!

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Blowing on the soles of the feet

Three and a half months old and having so much fun we can’t stop laughing! How to make your baby laugh with joy!

Blowing on the soles of the feet

A secret trick you can use when your baby is fussy: gently blowing on the soles of their feet! If you softly blow on their soft little soles, they’ll wiggle and then break into a smile in an instant.

Blowing rhythmically or making eye contact right after you blow can make them even happier.

However, if you try it and it doesn’t improve their mood, there may be reasons beyond simple boredom, such as being sleepy or needing a diaper change.

Don’t force it—stop and respond according to your baby’s condition as you observe them.

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Hand play ‘What can we make with rock, paper, scissors?’

[Hand Play Song] What Shall We Make with Rock, Scissors, Paper? — A Nursery Rhyme that Makes Babies Smile and Delight

Hand play 'What can we make with rock, paper, scissors?'

The hand-play song “Gū choki pā de nani tsukurō,” which sets Japanese lyrics to the French folk song “Frère Jacques.” As the title suggests, it combines the shapes of rock, scissors, and paper from rock-paper-scissors to represent various things like a snail or a helicopter.

Gently hold your baby’s hands and give it a try! You could also have them lie down and try it with their feet.

Because this is a hand-play song with regional variations in the lyrics, checking online should help you discover more gesture variations.

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In conclusion

How was playtime with your baby? Many people may not be sure what to play with a baby, but there are actually plenty of activities you can enjoy together. In particular, touch-and-bond play doesn’t require any tools and is perfect for time at home, since even newborns can join in. It’s also nice to give your baby a gentle massage while you play. When you play with your baby, make eye contact and talk to them a lot—this helps them feel secure and enjoy the moment. Be sure to spend some soothing, heartwarming time with your adorable little one.