The Thrill of Da Feet
Just because your baby isn’t walking yet — that doesn’t mean her feet are unemployed.
For several weeks, the newborn might notice her own feet, especially during diaper changes when they are handled and held near the line of sight between her face and yours.
But there’s not much she can do about this new discovery until her brain development and motor development catch up with her observation skills.
Why she yawns during “This Little Piggy.”
Parents, your instincts are right: babies love this game. But not immediately. The first few rounds of this game are often uneventful. You get to the exciting part, and baby cracks nary a smile. That’s because your new infant has not yet discovered the thrill of da feet (or the rest of her body), but she will. Some fine day, she’ll grab those feet, admire them, babble to them, and taste test them with a thoroughness America’s Test Kitchen only aspires to.
She’ll learn to enjoy her body shortly after she learns to control her body. A younger baby’s movements are either involuntary like reflexes, or voluntary, meaning that the movements are something she will learn to do at will. As neuronal connections in the brain multiply and strengthen, newborn reflexes recede. Then, voluntary movements increase.
Baby’s first voluntary movements ensure her well-being by stabilizing her torso, head, and neck. Limb motions that initially seem random and disorganized are actually developing muscles that will support baby’s next stage of movement: manipulation.
The root word “mani” means “hand” in Latin. Your settled baby (3 months and older) will begin using her hands to reach for an interesting item, then grasp it, then probably bring it to her mouth. By the age of 4 or 5 months, her own foot counts as an interesting item.
When she finally does show an interest in hand games and toe games, it will be because her maturing memory allows her to remember (therefore eagerly anticipate) the piggy who squeals all the way home. It will be because her receptive language ability lets her follow the rhythm of the words. Expressive language skills will help baby do her part in playing the game — smiling, cooing, or laughing, to let you know she’s enjoying the game. The sequence of playing the game will enhance her social development, her awareness that people do fun things together.
Baby feet are fun for parents, too. They’re cute, still clean all day, and for now, unscented.
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Carly Jennings | Motor Development | 
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