Proper motor development Intentional movement and body exploration 3 to 4 months

On-Demand Class · Supporting development

This class teaches activities involving different motor skills that promote new milestones. At this stage, babies' movements are more intentional, fine-tuned, and organized. They are also more communicative!

Class Description

This class covers five topics, all of which provide ideas of how to stimulate and help your baby be more active, achieve new movement skills, strengthen muscles, stay longer on their tummy, and prepare for the next development step. You will get ideas for practicing and gaining the confidence to help your baby achieve milestones, like holding onto a toy, rolling to the tummy, keeping symmetry, and preparing for crawling. Each topic consists of two sessions: 1) a demonstration of an activity, along with an explanation of why the activity is important, and 2) a video of just the activity that you can refer to when practicing it with your baby. The activities are meant to be fun for both of you. When practicing, we recommend keeping your smartphone next to the baby so you can do the activity properly. Repeat the activity a few times a day. At three months, your baby should be able to follow an object with their eyes in all directions, while simultaneuosly turning their head. Between three to four months, your baby should touch toys while on their tummy. At about four months, your baby should be able to hold a toy lying on their back, as well as roll from tummy to back. Your baby is more communicative now, produces more sounds, and laughs loudly.

Class Materials

Rattle 2- 3 inch, one-color ball (not a soft one) A baby's toy, at least 5 inches high

Sessions Overview

  1. Hands to the knee, 3 to 4 months: Learn a "hands to the knee" activity, which prepares your baby to hold a toy. To practice this activity, go directly to session 2.
  2. Activity: Hands to the knee, 3 to 4 months: Practice "hands to the knee" activity to prepare your baby to hold a toy.
  3. How to encourage the baby to turn from back to tummy, 3 to 4 months: Learn an activity that encuorages your baby to roll from their back to their tummy. To practice the activity, go directly to session 4.
  4. Activity: How to encourage the baby to turn from back to tummy, 3 to 4 months: Practice encouraging your baby to roll from back to tummy.
  5. How to encourage your baby to reach a toy while lying on his tummy, 4 month: Learn an activity that encourages your baby to lift their chest and start reaching objects while on their tummy. To practice the activity, go directly to session 6.
  6. Activity: To Encourage your baby to reach a toy while lying on his tummy , 4 months: Practice encouraging your baby to reach a toy while lying on their tummy.
  7. How to prepare a baby for crawling - Crawling is amazing!!, 4 months: Learn an activity that prepares your baby for crawling. To practice the activity, go directly to session 8.
  8. Practice: How to encourage the baby to turn from back to tummy, 4 months: Practice preparing your baby for crawling.
  9. Reaching and holding on to a toy, 4 months: Learn an activity that helps your baby reach and hold onto a toy. To practice the activity, go directly to session 10.
  10. Reaching and holding on to a toy, 4 months: Practice teaching your baby how to reach and hold onto a toy.

Your Instructor

Hanna Lewitus

Hanna Lewitus (Bpt, MAph) is a certified neurodevelopment physical therapist specializing in child neurology and motor development for premature newborns, babies, and children. Ms.Lewitus has been the head of the Physical Therapy Department of ALYN Pediatric and Adolescent Rehabilitation Hospital in Jerusalem. Her main focus is to empower parents and provide them with tools to safely guide their babies through motor development, ensuring they align with the normative development. Ms. Lewitus lives with her husband in Haifa, Israel, is mother to 3 children and grandmother to 7, and is an avid photographer and musician.

Degrees and Certifications

BA physical therapy, MAph 15 years leading a hospital physical therapy department Child Neurology Clinic in Hadassa Hospital Jerusalem NICU - Hadassa Hospital Member - national health committee for treatment policy decisions Worked in HMOs as a developmental neurology PT

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