[Steve's Wife]

I have a 6 month old who is physically and cognitively delayed. We'll be starting therapy, but not for another month. We just started scheduling appointments last week. But I am looking for activites I can do now to help her develop her cognitive abilities. She's on a level of about a 4 month old I think, maybe a tad less. She likes songs, clapping, moving. She has no interest in objects or books.

My daughter is currently undiagnosed, but we have multiple appointments and referrals. I think she has Joubert Syndrome.

Thank you for any ideas! I'm really hoping my daughter is going to progress beyond a permanent cognitive delay.

 

[lactationlady]

Honestly, as her age, I think what you are doing is good. Lots of talking, singing and interacting, as she tolerates it. Little ones of that age absorb so much from the environment around them. You might try listening to music while looking at books (not necessarily reading the book, just look at pictures and talk about them a little). There are many movement related skills (like tummy time & crawling) that affect neurological development. If she is not able to move in an age-appropriate way then try to simulate it as best you can - i.e. tummy time as she tolerates it (my little one had a very hard time with tummy time to do extremely low tone, but she tolerated it better if I got down on my tummy in front of her, face to face), sitting propped or in your lap. Wear in in a sling, etc. so that she is exposed to things in your everyday world. All of these everyday things stimulate cognitive development.

 

[LynnS6]

Baby wearing -- put her in a sling as upright as she can go. It will help her develop her vestibular senses and strengthen her core muscles as she learns to adjust to stay upright while you move about.

Talk to her as you carry her about, kind of a running commentary of what you're doing, as much as you feel is natural.

Gentle singing/baby finger play games. Play peek-a-boo.

Hold up an object, and move it slowly while talking to her, and help her track it.

In other words, things you'd do with a typically developing child right now.

 

[Steve's Wife]

I wish she would ride in a sling....our baby wearing adventures have been very varied. At first, when she was born, she was fussing unless she was all curled up in the sling. Then she got to where she didn't like it. Then she would ride in it facing out. Now she doesn't like it again. She arches and throws herself all over the place when I put her in it.

She likes the Beco is she's sleepy, and likes to be facing out in the Beco otherwise, but since it's not really intended for that we don't do it for long. And her balance doesn't aloow her to be propped on my hip or in a hip carrier, so mostly she is propped on my hip facing out with my arms under her. Since about week 6. For about 8 hours a day.

We have an appointment with the eye doctor tomorrow. I don't think her close up vision is very good, so maybe he'll be able to help her and she'll gain more interest in toys and books.

 

[sunflowers]

My dd loved watching someone blow bubbles at that age. It did wonders for her tracking and she really enjoyed it.

Otherwise, reading stories, singing, fingerplays (itsy bitsy spider, ect.), finger puppets, even learning a few songs with signs (DD still loves to watch the Signing Time DVDs!) can be great, too. Massage also really helped with her development.