Try This to Have a Brilliant Baby
(4-6 months old)
by Dr. Leo L. Leonidas of brilliantbaby.com

At about four months old while prone position, she would be able to push up with her arms lifting her chest and holding her head up in a vertical position. This is a big milestone with a new way of looking at things. On this position, place a red ball (big enough that she could not swallow) on the floor about 8 inches in front of her chest. Entice her to reach for the ball. If she can't reach it, place the red ball about an inch from her right hand. If she reach or swipe or grab it, you should smile, be happy, clap your hands, and hug her. Repeat the exercise, but place the ball a little farther, maybe about two inches from her right hand. Let her reach for it. If she can't, move the ball a little closer so she will be successful in swiping or grasping it. This is an important principle: you should always let your baby be successful in anything she does. You reward her by your smile, enthusiasm, clap, kisses, and hugging.

Whatever you are doing at your kitchen, show her an object and name it. Suppose you are holding a cup, show it to her and say, "cup" at least 5 five times. Then let her touch it and hold it with your assistance so it won't fall. Hold the cup in front of her nose from about 10 inches, then move it horizontally about 8 inches from side to side and up and down. With your left hand holding the cup, place your right hand in front of the cup so she could not see it. Then remove your right hand and say, "now here is the cup!" Repeat it 5 times.

Get a spoon and show it to her and say, "spoon" at least five times. Follow the same sequence as you did with the cup. Show her other objects, fruits, vegetables, canned goods, soap, butter, ice, etc. Always have a happy and smiling face while saying the word. Your emotion and joy will enhance socialization and easy learning of your baby.

If you have not yet started the apple and orange experiment, this is a good time to do it. With baby laying on back or sitting up, show a red apple from about 12 inches from baby's face. Hold the apple with your right hand and place it near your mouth. Say, "apple, apple" at least 5 times. Then have baby touch it with the left hand several times. Cut a slice of the apple and let baby smell it for a few seconds while you are saying "this is the smell of apple." Then let baby lick one side of the sliced apple and say, "this is the taste of apple." Perform this apple show four times a day, for three days. On the fourth day, get an orange and hold it with your left hand. Say "orange" 5 times. Let her touch it with her right hand, then smell it. Repeat the action a few times. Do this orange show four times a day for three days. On the seventh day, show both the apple and orange. Say the either word and observe her eyes or hand. Some babies can consistently look or touch the apple or orange after two to four weeks of practice. If baby is losing interest, stop the exercise and do it another time.

Your baby can focus on the language sound you are producing. She is now watching closely how you speak, whisper, or sing. At this age, she can associate the sounds of the environment and the accompanying events. If the dog barks, she know that the dog is there. And when she hears the sound of the running water, she knows that bath time is near.

Introduce different sound that your baby has not heard before. Bounce a ball on the floor, tap a glass with a spoon, tap the spoon on the sink, crumple an aluminum foil, rub a paper against each other, tap a pencil on the table, flip the pages of a book, turn on the vacuum cleaner, clap your hand, snap your fingers, etc.

If you can play a musical instrument, let her listen to it. Let her tap on the piano keys or strung your guitars string. Introduce new sound every day. Let her experience as many sounds as possible. Turn on your stereo and let her listen to Mozart, Vivaldi, or Bach. But do not make the sounds loud.

At around 6 months she will be rolling all over the floor. Put her on the floor and let go where she want to. To challenge her to roll, put one of her favorite toy about 18 inches from right side. Let her go for it. If she successfully reached for the toy, show your delight and happiness, clap your hands, and say with joy, "Good girl!!"

If your baby could creep on her hand and knees, put a sofa cushion in front of her and let her climb over it. If she manages to go on top of the cushion make sure you watch to prevent her from falling.

Read picture books and let her point at the picture you are reading. Reading with her should be done at least four times a day till you pick her cue that she is about to get bored or tired. Some babies will pay attention for half a minute, but some will read with you for half an hour.

The author of Baby Signs, Acredolo and Goodwyn, said: "Infancy is a time of reveling in the wonders of the world, of discovering how things work, and of sharing with important people the joys and fears that fill each day."