While your baby has been visually tracking moving objects since their newborn days, it takes time for their arm and hand strength to catch up. Thus, hand-eye coordination is ideal to support as early as 3-4 months or when you notice they can more intentionally reach and begin holding objects.
As they continue to grow and gain strength, hand-eye coordination will only get more fun!
Our favorite hand-eye coordination activities:
Offer toys or tactile mobiles that dangle or move within their line of sight, providing safe objects for tracking, reaching, and grabbing.
Take your baby outside and blow some bubbles towards their body. Allow them to watch, reach, and pop each bubble!
Gently roll a ball back and forth. A puzzle ball can be ideal for younger babies, as the folds make it roll slowly, preventing it from rolling too fast for non-mobile babies.
Grab a pot or pan from your kitchen cabinet and show baby how to bang it as a “drum.” The noise also offers a cause-and-effect lesson beyond the hand-eye coordination it invites.
If your baby can sit up, fill a bin with a few inches of water. Place balls in the bin with a strainer, and invite baby to catch and scoop up the floating balls.