If You're Happy and You Know It

If you're happy and you know it, clap
your hands (clap clap)
If you're happy and you know it, clap
your hands (clap clap)
If you're happy and you know it, then
your face will surely show it
If you're happy and you know it, clap
your hands. (clap clap)

If you're happy and you know it,
stomp your feet (stomp stomp)

If you're happy and you know it,
shout "Hurray!" (hoo-ray!)

If you're happy and you know it, do all
three (clap-clap, stomp-stomp,
hoo-ray!)

I Am Special
(Tune of "Are You Sleeping?")
I am special. I am special.
If you look, you will see
Someone very special
Someone very special
That is me. That is me.

The Smile Song
I have something in my pocket
That belongs upon my face
I keep it very close at hand
In a most convenient place

I think you wouldn't guess it
If you guessed a long long while
So I'll take it out and put it on
It's a great big happy smile.

High Kicks
Kick-start your baby's gross
motor skills with a simple leg
exercise that will also teach
her cause and effect. Begin
by laying baby on the floor,
face up. Hold an object that
makes sounds, such as a
bell or a rattle, above baby's
feet, just low enough that she
can kick it. When she makes
contact with the item, be sure
to offer her plenty of praise.

Up and Down Ditty
Sitting on the floor with your
legs out in front of you, lay
your baby face-up on your
legs so that her head is right
above your knees. (If your
baby has developed some
strength in her neck, you may
choose to prop her up into a
seated position, still facing
you).
Lift your baby up and down by
bending your knees in time
with the words of this classic
children's song:
The Grand Old Duke of York
(Sung to the tune of A
Hunting We Will Go)
Oh, the grand old Duke of
York,
He had ten thousand men,
He marched them up to the
top of the hill (Bend your
knees)
And he marched them down
again. (Straighten your
knees)
And when they were up they
were up. (Bend your knees)
And when they were down
they were down. (Bend your
knees)
And when they were only half
way up, (Bend your knees
half way up)
They were neither up nor
down. (Bend your knees
further up and then
straighten your legs)

On a Roll
Peel the label off an empty
oatmeal cylinder or water
bottle, and wrap the
container in a sheet of white
paper. Cut out a series of
small shapes from sheets of
black and red construction
paper, and paste the shapes
to the paper making distinct
patterns all the way around
the container. Watch your
child's eyes grow wide when
you roll the container toward
him for the first time!

Explore Faces
Let your baby explore the
different types of faces and
emotions one can make. While
facing him, smile and say
"Mommy's smiling" or
"Mommy's happy." Encourage
your infant to smile as well.
Laugh, frown, look surprised,
and do as many different facial
expressions as possible, listing
each emotion for your baby
while encourage him to mimic
you.

This Little Baby
This is a fun, brain-building
game that aids in the
development of cause and
effect through anticipation
and excitement and other
newly budding interests
like body awareness
through touch. This poem
also may help her learn
object permanence, which
means that when Mommy
or Daddy is out of Baby's
sight, she or he is not
necessarily gone:

This Little Baby
This little baby rocked in
the cradle.
(Wiggle one arm)
This little baby jumped in
the bed.
(Wiggle the other arm)
This little baby crawled on
the carpet.
(Wiggle one leg)
This little baby bumped her
head.
(Wiggle the other leg)
This little baby played hide
and seek.
(Move your face close to
hers)
Where's that little baby?
(Place your hands over
your face)
Oo-oo-ooh peek-a-boo!
(Uncover your face with a
great big smile!)