Life lessons from a play-hour with a month old

You might think what will a babies who’s just over a month old, 50cm or so teach us? They are literally just crying, drinking milk, burping and sleeping for most parts after all. In fact internet is filled with articles about how to teach your baby this and that for their development.

If your answer to the above question is a negative, think again. 

It’s crazy how much one can learn from this tiny being who doesn’t even understand or speak human language! I've a month old boy and we have a play hour together everyday. But yesterday the play time was different, not because he did anything different, but because a few things from his routine stuck with me. 

In his routine play time, he kicks his arms and legs and keeps himself entertained without needing anyone else. These days, he has started to do bit of tummy time and tries to do "pre-crawls" if at all there was a stage before the crawling happens you know. 

Learning 1: Being centred and calm in oneself is a skill we perhaps lose as we grow up

When Ayaan is doing all his routine play, he doesn't need anyone or anything. He is happy just kicking and creating motions. It got me thinking that it's such a skill to be able to keep oneself entertained without any source of entertainment. Really, think about it, when was the last time you just were by yourself and didn't feel the need to look at your phone, or talk to someone, or just watch something on Netflix? 

Learning 2: Fail today, Try again tomorrow, Don't give up

As I was telling, Ayaan has recently started doing tummy time and tries to take the baby steps for what will shape to crawling later. He tries to push his legs forward with force from some object or the surface he is lying on. While doing so, at times he is almost always not able to balance his hands, falls to the side often and even sometimes can't take the push forward. He stops when he gets tired for the day and we put him to bed. But guess what, he tries the same thing again the next day. It's as if he doesn't know the concept of giving up after consecutive failures, guess that's something we acquire as we grow up?

Learning 3: Seek help when you need it, don't be shy

Another interesting thing I observed was when he falls to the sides, or can't really figure something out by himself, he calls for help. He doesn't think about being perceived as small or weak if he will ask for help, he's not shy. He actually probably doesn't know the concept of social perceptions at all after all. Thank god for that! I guess this is what is called being child like, carefree?