0-4 Months: Baby Discoveries -- Observation Record

How does the baby show that she is paying attention to what is happening around her?

Babies use combinations of facial expressions, movements, and sounds to show what interests them, when they want more attention, and when they have had enough activity. They differ in how much stimulation is needed to hold their interest, and in how much activity they can deal with comfortably.

The baby might do one or more of the following:

• Show fascination for fun things–look toward a moving toy or a dangling string of pop beads.
• Fix on a moving object–follow your face with her eyes as you move from side to side.
• Watch her hands–gaze at her hands as they wave about in front of her.
• Know her things–recognize her bottle in her caregiver's hand.
• Show she's listening–look toward the phone when she hears a bell ring, even though it might be the door bell.

How does this baby show interest in things? (Include dates.)

Babies use their behaviors in ways that can get a response from the people around them. They smile, laugh, fuss, cry,and move their arms and legs to make things happen.The baby might do one or more of the following:

• Make waves–look very surprised when she kicks her feet in the bath and some water splashes into her face.
• Handle a mobile–touch a dangling toy on a mobile, making it move and play music.
• Move toward a meal–turn toward the nipple and start to suck when she sees the breast or bottle, or feels the nipple on her cheek.
• Get some exercise–bat at the rings of the crib gym.
• Explore how it tastes–put things in her mouth, whether they are big or small, sharp or smooth, dirty or clean.

How does this baby make things happen? (Include dates.)