Encouraging Healthy Development - Healthy Development Ideas - 2 Months

Incredible growth occurs during the first three years of a child’s life. There are many things you can do to support and nurture healthy development during this time. Below, we’ve listed some specific activities to help a 2-month-old baby develop and grow.

Moving - Physical or Motor Development

Place your baby on his/her back to sleep during naps and at night.
Have Tummy Time: On your lap, place your baby on his/her tummy for very short periods of time when awake.
Encourage your baby to lift his/her head by holding toys at eye level.
Hold a toy or rattle above your baby’s head and encourage him/her to reach for it.
Hold your baby upright with feet on the floor, and sing and talk to him/her.

Talking - Communication and Language Development

Talk, smile, read and sing to your baby.
Act excited and smile when your baby makes sounds.
Copy your baby’s sounds some but also use clear language when talking to him/her.
Pay attention to your baby’s different cries so you learn when he/she is hungry, needs a diaper change or is sleepy.

Interacting - Social and Emotional Development

Cuddle, talk and play with your baby while feeding, dressing and bathing.
Help your baby learn how to calm himself/herself; it’s okay for your baby to suck on his/her fingers.
Begin to establish a routine, such as sleeping at night more than during the day.

Thinking - Cognitive Development

Play "peek-a-boo" with your baby.
Put a baby-safe mirror in the crib so your baby can look at himself/herself.
Look at pictures with your baby and talk about them.
Talk, read and sing to your baby.

If you have concerns about a child's development and think a child might need extra help to learn and grow, don't hesitate to refer a child.

The family will be contacted by the local school district to arrange for a screening or evaluation to determine if their child is eligible for Infant and Toddler Intervention or Preschool Special Education services in Minnesota.

Refer a Child

Services are free!

Regardless of:

Income
Immigration Status