Movement and play: newborns

Through play, newborns learn what their bodies can do and build their motor skills.Newborns gain more control of their bodies as they develop during the early weeks.Play ideas for newborn motor development include tummy time, floor time and, as they get a bit older, play with rattles and dangling objects.

Newborn play: why it’s important for movement and motor skills development

Play gives newborns lots of practice at moving different parts of their bodies, which helps to develop gross motor skills and fine motor skills. As you play with your newborn, he’ll become stronger and more coordinated.

Through play, newborns and young babies also learn how to interact with their environment and discover what their bodies can do. For example, when you hold a toy close to your baby and he reaches for it (after the newborn period), your baby discovers that he can move his arms to touch nearby objects.

Give your baby lots of encouragement and praise, and be amazed at what she can do. This makes her feel loved and valued, and builds the confidence she needs to try lots of new movements.

What to expect: newborn movement

In the first four weeks of life, a lot of your baby’s movements are reflexes, so he can’t really control them. For example, when you stroke your baby’s cheek, by reflex your baby turns to that side to suckle.

In your baby’s first four weeks, she might:

  • look at your face and follow side-to-side movements with her eyes
  • lift her head for short periods of time when lying on her tummy.

As your baby starts to gain more control of his movements, he might:

  • uncurl his fists and swipe at dangling objects
  • lift his head while lying on his tummy and lean on his elbows to look at a toy in front of him, at around 4-8 weeks
  • follow your face or a toy that’s moving slowly from side to side or in a circle with his eyes. You might need to be quite close – about 30 cm away – for this to happen
  • move and kick his legs, especially in the bath or when out of a nappy, at around 8 weeks
  • wave and watch his hands and feet or move his hands towards your face or a toy, at around 12 weeks.

Your newborn is still learning to control her neck muscles, so it’s important to support her head when you lift her up.

Your baby will be keen to copy your facial expressions almost from birth. If you give your baby a big, bright smile, he’ll try to do the same. Frown – and you’ll see that coming back at you too!

Play ideas to get your newborn moving

Here are some play ideas to get your newborn moving and boost your baby’s motor skills development:

  • Put a toy or rattle in your baby’s hand for your baby to hold.
  • Dangle some fun, bright objects above your baby to stimulate her to look and begin to reach. You can put toys within easy reach by attaching a frame over a pram or bouncer and hanging toys from it. Just make sure that your baby can’t get tangled in the strings.
  • Sing nursery rhymes with simple actions that encourage your baby to move his body has he gets older.
  • Give your baby time on the floor when she can easily move her body. Try not to rush her into doing things before she’s ready. Just enjoy watching her move.
  • Give your baby tummy time. Put your baby on his tummy on a firm surface – like the ground – so he can practise pushing up on his elbows and lifting his head as he gets older. Start with 1-2 minutes and build up to 10-15 minutes a day.

Concerns about baby development

In general, the key events in baby development happen in a similar order, but the age they happen might vary for each child and even for children in the same family.

You know your baby best. If you have concerns about your baby’s development, including his movement and play, it’s a good idea to talk with your health care provider.