Month 1: Eye Contact & First Tummy Time

Materials

Setup

1. 1Ensure the room is quiet, calm, and well-lit with indirect light. Lay a firm play mat or clean blanket on the floor away from drafts. Make sure the space is free of hazards and pets.

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1MILESTONES THIS MONTH: Around month 1, many babies briefly lift their heads while on their tummy, focus on faces, prefer black-and-white or high-contrast patterns, keep their hands in tight fisted positions, and react to loud sounds. They begin to turn their heads towards sounds and voices, and may make small, jerky arm and leg movements.
2. 2WHEN TO CALL YOUR PEDIATRICIAN: If your baby is not feeding well, seems unusually floppy or stiff, doesn't respond to loud noises, has unusually pale or jaundiced skin, or doesn't make any eye contact with you. Persistent fussiness or extreme lethargy also warrants a call to your pediatrician.
3. 3HOW TO SET UP THE ACTIVITY: Lay your baby on their stomach on the firm play mat. Lie down facing them, ensuring your face is about 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) from theirs. Ensure their arms are tucked close to their body, enabling better head lift. Keep the session very short, just a minute or two at a time.
4. 4STEP-BY-STEP CAREGIVER MOVE #1: Gently place the high-contrast board book flat on the mat directly in front of your baby's face, about 8-12 inches away. Slowly move the book in an arc from one side to the other, encouraging their eyes to track the movement. Narrate, saying, 'Look at the stripes! They're moving! Can you see them?'
5. 5CAREGIVER MOVE #2: After they’ve tracked the book, place it aside. Bring your face close to theirs and make slow, exaggerated facial expressions. Smile, widen your eyes, and then narrow them. Say softly, 'Hello, baby! I see you!' or sing a gentle song. This encourages eye contact and facial recognition.
6. 6CAREGIVER MOVE #3: While still in the tummy time position, gently shake the soft rattle slightly off to one side of their head, just within their peripheral vision, about 10-12 inches away. See if they turn their head towards the sound. If they do, bring the rattle into their field of vision and say, 'Did you hear that sound?'
7. 7READ BABY'S CUES: Look for signs of engagement: wide eyes, focused gaze, quiet alertness, small head lifts. If your baby fusses, turns their head away, arches their back, or closes their eyes tightly, they may be overstimulated or tired. Immediately stop the activity, offer a comforting cuddle, or move to a quiet rest time.
8. 8HOW TO WEAVE THIS INTO DAILY ROUTINES: Incorporate brief tummy time sessions on the changing table after a diaper change. While feeding, make eye contact and talk softly. During bath time, narrate your actions. When holding your baby, sing lullabies and describe what you see, reinforcing language exposure.

Example playthrough

Variations

• ✨ Sibling-involved version: An older sibling can sit near the mat and softly talk or sing to the baby during tummy time, supervised by a parent.
• ✨ Low-energy caregiver: Hold your baby upright against your chest while softly humming or singing, swaying gently to provide sensory input.
• ✨ Upright visual stimulation: While holding your baby in your lap, show them the high-contrast book, slowly moving it from side to side in their line of sight.