Does anyone know of any activities or center's (low cost, I am a stay at home mom on a budget) that my 8 month old and I can partake in? I am having difficulty stimulating her, intellectually, she seems so bored all the time. I try to entertain her as much as possible by playing games I find in Mommy magazines, but she either doesn't seem interested at all, or loses interest fast.
First and foremost I'd like to say THANK YOU for all of your input, I received information I had no idea about, for e.g. I had no idea my daughter could do puzzles, and I didn't know about Toy libraries. However, now I come to another question how do I teach my daughter how to do puzzles? Is there something specific I should be doing? Or should I just show her how to do the wooden puzzles a couple times? I'm just not sure. I'm a new mom and these things are a bit foreign to me right now.
But again THANK YOU all for your input, every response was helpful and supportive :-)
Hi R... just wanted to add that you may want to look into a playgroup as your daughter gets a little older. Check out www.meetup.com to find a playgroup near you. Good luck.. sounds like you're doing a great job!
I used to think I had to keep my kids stimulated when they were really little. But some down time is good too. They need to learn how to be bored and to not be entertained all the time. That's when they can start to use their creativity. So don't feel guilty if your daughter isn't always stimulated, its not a bad thing.
Other than that, the local library has been a Godsend to me! I don't know where you are, but the Springfield DelCo library has tons of programs and everything is free. My kids have been going since they were wee little ones. Mom's Clubs are good too, see what's in your area.
Hi R.!
I too am the mother of an 8 month old, however this is my 5th baby, my oldest is 16 so I'm a veteran! I also have a Master's in Counseling Psychology which I have had for 16 years, actively in the field, so we have some things in common :)
It doesn't take much to intellectually stimulate an 8 month old, but they can get bored quickly as their attention span is naturally short at this age. At this age they are very curious and very excited with their newfound mobility. They like the freedom of crawling or rolling on the floor or walking in the walker. They love the simple repetition of peek-a-boo and other fun interactive baby games. My son loves when I play with his feet! Music and silly singing and dancing is also fun. Tickling, hugs and kisses are fun too. Reading a short book tailored for infants with different sounds, textures and colors is interesting to them. You have to tap into your own "silliness" to keep your infant stimulated. You don't have to get "deep", keep it light and silly and fun. these things will stimulate an infant intellectually because they are learning through playing.
Hope this helps a bit.
A.
I am a first time mom of an 8 month old baby girl too! I work as a teacher full time but when I am off and on the weekends I have tried play dates with other babies and toddlers. They entertain her. I am lucky enough to have lots of friends close by that have kids around 2-4 yrs old and she loves to interact with them. No cost to visit with friends and it gives you a break too. I also have taken her to story time at Barnes and Nobles as well as the public library and it was great for her b/c we read to her at home all the time. No cost! And now that it is getting cold out I got a ride on push toy with sides that she can hold on to and I pull her around the house. She cracks up. If you don't have that then try a laundry basket with a blanket inside and pull her around the house by attaching a ribbon or rope to it! She giggles like crazy. My last thought is that I know some towns and even in Phila you can find "toy libraries". Good luck.
