Your baby wants to experience everything up close and personal, and he or she does that through all five senses, particularly touch. Encourage your baby's curiosity and tactile talents with this soothing touch-fest.

Appropriate for: Newborn to 10 months
Skills developed: Hand-eye coordination, touch sensitivity
What you'll need: A variety of soft-textured items, such as a silk scarf, a clean feather duster or boa, a piece of satin or velvet, and something furry like a stuffed animal

Collect an assortment of soft, touchable household objects. Place your baby on a blanket, tummy-side up. One at a time, brush each item ever so gently across your baby's skin, describing the sensation as you go. "Feel the silky scarf? It's very slippery. Feel the lamb? It's fuzzy, isn't it?" When your baby is older, he or she will try to grab the items – go ahead and let your baby hold them or (if you're sure they're clean and don't pose a choking concern) even put them in his or her mouth.