Today's parents are learning more about their child's unique developmental process, and the shared learning experience that creates a unique bond as the child associates learning with fun, musical play. Here are some delightful activities you can do with your child.

For Babies (0 to 6 months): Baby, Baby, Row the Boat
With your baby lying on his back, hold one of his feet in each of your hands and move his legs back and forth (in and out). As you move his legs, sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat. (Try changing the song to include your baby's name: "Paul, Paul, row your boat ....") Vary your speed: sing and "row" slowly, and then sing and row faster. Try moving your baby's legs in a circle (bicycling). Moving his arms, legs, and all the parts of his body helps your baby learn how to make deliberate moves on his own.

For older babies (6 to 12 months): Baby Obstacle Course
Create an obstacle course for your baby. Spread different-sized pillows and a variety of articles of different textures (an area rug, a soft blanket, a towel, or a silk scarf) over the floor. If possible, add a small table to crawl under. Lead the way by crawling over, under, and even backwards, encouraging your baby to follow you. The more opportunities your baby has to move her body in different ways, the easier it will be for her to learn new motor movements. Motor skill development builds on previous motor experiences.

For toddlers (18 months to 3 years): Bean Bag Balance
The physical challenges of a simple beanbag play is fun, plus you're developing your child's muscle strength and stamina. Place a beanbag on your child's back while he crawls around the room. For a walking child place a beanbag on his head and ask him to walk from one side of the room to the other without dropping it. Balance a beanbag on your child's shoulder while he walks. While your child is lying on his back with his feet in the air, balance a beanbag on one of his feet. How long can he keep the bag in the air?

For preschoolers (3 to 5 years): Copy Me
Clap a rhythm pattern and see if your child can copy it. Here is a starter: Clap each line of the song Itsy Bitsy Spider. Pause after each line so your child can copy it. Your child will be tapping into her listening skills and eye-hand coordination to copy these rhythm patterns with accuracy. Don't stop with one song! Rhythm patterns can be taken from any song, rhyme, or even a street sign. Keep it a secret by not singing or saying the words-just clap the rhythm. When simple clapping becomes too easy, step it up with a combination of stomps, slaps, claps, and taps.