I have been so lucky to have my two older kids, Sawyer and Priscilla, be so good with their new baby brother, J.C. The only complaint from them about their new sibling was during the first week that he was home: “Why doesn’t he talk or play, mom?” So they are loving that at 6 months old, he is now starting to interact and play with them. And play between babies and young children is essential for a new sibling bond. Here are some ways that my kids love to play with their baby brother and a couple of fun toys they use to do it. (Make sure to scroll to the bottom to enter to win one of two great wooden toys from Mama May I!)
7 Ways for Kids to Play With a New Sibling
- Sing a Song. Have older children sing silly songs to their new sibling. Baby will love watching the animation in older sibling’s face and hear the melody and rhythm of the songs.
- Play Peek-A-Boo. Have kids try the old classic baby game, peek-a-boo with their new sibling. It helps baby learn that when someone hides behind something (their hands or a blanket), they haven’t disappeared forever.
- Stick Out Their Tongue & Blow Raspberries. Let the older kids blow “raspberries” and spit bubbles and try to teach the baby to stick out his tongue. This is actually an important step for baby’s early speech development.
- Recite Nursery Rhymes. Encourage older siblings to practice their nursery rhymes with their baby sibling. Baby will love the rhyming sounds and accompanying hand motions.
- Read a Book. Even if older siblings can’t read yet, they can show baby illustrations and help the baby turn pages in a board book.
- Tell a Story. Make sure baby is nearby when older siblings tell fun stories. Baby will hear lots of new words and sounds. Sawyer and Priscilla love to use this Story Starter Set for creative storytelling.
- Tickle Baby. Have older kids try to get baby to giggle by softly tickling her toes or belly. J.C. loves it when his brother and sister use this colorful Tiny Tickler Sensory Toy.
We were thrilled to receive the Tiny Tickler Sensory Toy and Story Starter Blocks set from Mama May I. Mama May I is a fun colorful toy shop full of handmade Montessori- and Waldorf-inspired learning toys. Their toys are high quality and their quick shipping and customer service is exceptional. Many of Mama May I’s toys are suitable for all ages and are perfect for encouraging a new sibling bond.
You can win your choice of the Tiny Tickler Sensory Toy or the Story Starter Block Set by entering below…
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*This is a sponsored post and giveaway. Please feel free to read my disclosure.
Erika P. says
I like the Gnome Man's Land Little People playset.
Lindsey says
favorite is colored cups and balls.
Terri Menke says
I love the counting acrobats
Siete Invitaciones Guatemala says
my fav on etsy Rainbow Village Blocks 🙂
sieteinvitaciones@ gmail.com
Penny Minding Mom says
The Family Box is my fanourite:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/86733625/the-family-box-wooden-people-playset-a
Grammy Goodwill says
I think my granddaughter would love that tickler toy to play with her little brother. Thanks for the chance to win.
Ashley T. says
Flip Mat – Zoo Edition
Chasity Boatman says
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Chasity Boatman says
Crayon wallet!!!!!
Marina says
Flip Mat zoo edition is my favorite 🙂
Anonymous says
Crayon Wallet!
hayvalley AT hughes DOT net
Hana's Clay says
I love the Colored Counting Acrobats – Montessori Waldorf inspired Math and Counting Toy! 🙂
Hana's Clay says
I love the Colored Counting Acrobats – Montessori Waldorf inspired Math and Counting Toy! 🙂
Anonymous says
flyergal82 AT (yahoo) /dot/ $com%
love the family box-wooden people.
courtneyricole says
Definitely the Little People Rainbow World!
Elizabeth says
I love the stacking bird tower !
Bee W Bedard says
I like the Make a Match – Beach Edition – A Montessori and Waldorf Inspired Matching and Memory Game
Phyllis H. says
I love the array of fun colors and prints! It is difficult to choose just one. I do rather like the rainbow bowl.
Phyllis H. says
Always so much fun to see how the kidlets respond to a new sibling! So so sweet. :).
lovethesun says
Would love a new toy for my daughter!
babalisme says
Colored counting acrobats!! It looks challenging even for adults!!
Julie Rogers says
I love the Crayon Wallet!
Nicole says
LOVE the coloured counting acrobats!
My email address is nicole at knitnicoleknit dot com
-Nicole
Knit, Nicole, Knit!
Hi, I'm Karen. says
Beautiful shop! I like the balancing birds and the make-a-match nature set.
gail says
like the family box
gkuroda(at)gmail.com
Jennifer Fischer says
My toddler loves to play with the baby – thanks for sharing these tips. I like the stacking rings and hive at Mama May I (and so much else).
Maegan Morin says
I think that these are really cute: http://www.etsy.com/listing/100451036/colored-counting-acrobats-montessori
Danielle says
I love the Sensory Color Sorting Playset.
The Happy Wife/Danielle Garcia
Ldsmom2201 (at) yahoo (dot) com
http://juanshappywife.blogspot.com
Twitter: The_Happy_Wife
Popovics Kitti says
I love chick-a-dee 🙂 the red one…
Arthlin says
http://www.etsy.com/listing/104407208/sound-bird-flower-edition-a-natural The sound bird is so cute! Also love the cards. Awesome work and as we're now planning on having our first child I'll keep your shop in mind! 🙂
gibberish says
This caught my eye: http://www.etsy.com/listing/83893233/little-people-rainbow-world-a-montessori
Rafflecopter name is Julie G.
Anonymous says
I love these toys and bookmarked their website on my favorites. I really liked everything but the Sensory Color Mat caught my eye.
agnieszkazg says
My fav item is a Rainbow Ribbon Lovey – A Montessori and Waldorf Inspired Baby Color and Texture Sensory Learning Toy
radmilamila says
hi, i loved the The Family Box – Wooden People Playset
thanks, Radmila, rada76@mail.ru
beyond says
i love the little people rainbow world!
caitlyndelaney says
I worked as a preschool teacher in a montessori school for a while, so I am just drooling over all of your unique products. The piece that caught my eye though, was the crayon wallet. I want one! So cute!
Thanks for doing this giveaway. My email is caitpre@yahoo.com
TopHat says
I love the rainbow forest!
hrfarley at gmail dot com
3littlerascals says
i LOVE the apple tree!
Jus and Kat says
My favorite is the Rainbow Love-y – Montessori Baby Sensory Toy.
Leigh says
Love the balance birds!!!
Heather Paulding says
I really like the little people rainbow world!:)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/83893233/little-people-rainbow-world-a-montessori
Katy~The Country Blossom says
I really like everything there…but one thing that caught my eye was the Colored Cups and Balls – A Montessori and Waldorf Inspired Wooden Materials Matching and Motor Skills Toy.
marymichelotti says
I like the The Family Box – Wooden People Playset
marymichelotti@gmail.com
Megan says
Thanks for the post. I have an almost 3 year old and 1 year old, and they're just starting to really interact. So much fun to watch! I really like the lacing beads, but all are such lovely toys! Thanks for the chance for the giveaway!
kristiearly says
ohhhh this is perfect. thanks for the post. I have a new 1 month old and love these ideas for my 2 year old to play with him! and the toys look awesome!
Ashley S says
I love the Sight and Sound cards!
Shooting Stars Mag says
I like the wooden people playset. How cute!
-Lauren
lauren51990 at aol dot com
Marta says
My favourite item is the Colored Counting Acrobats. Thanks! Marta
http://abilingualbb.blogspot.com
Marta says
What a nice post. My favourite ideas are sharing songs and nursery rhymes. Marta
http://abilingualbb.blogspot.com
David & Amy Bunge says
I love the balance birds and the colored balls and cups.
David & Amy Bunge says
I love the balance birds and the colored balls and cups.
David & Amy Bunge says
Lots of great suggestions. We have a 2 1/2 y/o who wants to interact with his 4-month-old sibling, but doesn't know how. This will be a great help.
David & Amy Bunge says
Lots of great suggestions. We have a 2 1/2 y/o who wants to interact with his 4-month-old sibling, but doesn't know how. This will be a great help.
NGS says
So many lovely toys! The balance birdies are so cute, my older niece would love the silkies rainbow scarves, and the little people rainbow world would be so useful for teaching colors and counting. I just love the whole store!!
MaryAnne K says
I love the colored counting acrobats!
And your list is wonderful – very timely for me, with a baby due any day now!
Thanks for linking up to Learning Laboratory at Mama Smiles =)
Karissa says
color sensory play mat
Melissa says
I like the little people rainbow world!
Elle S. says
I Like the Make a match wooden discs – they're cute & classy!
Ashley Culp says
Colored Cups and Balls – A Montessori and Waldorf Inspired Wooden Materials Matching and Motor Skills Toy this is my fav. 🙂
Nicole says
I have 2 older brothers who would love to have a toy to play with their little brother.
Lorie K says
I love the alphabet nursery wall art!
Mama May I says
Look how engaged they are with one another! What a beautiful post about the importance of sibling inclusion. Thank you so much for working with Mama May I on this — I am honored to help promote such loving relationships!