Playful skin to skin
Playful approaches to connect with your little ones using skin-to-skin touch.
Skin-to-skin isn’t just for newborns - it can be a playful and soothing way to connect with your little one at any stage. Whether you’re lying together, holding them close, or just taking a quiet moment, you can turn it into gentle play.
Sing your own favourite songs while they rest on you, lightly trace shapes on their back, or play a soft-touch guessing game. These ideas help calm both of you while fostering connection in a way that’s effortless and comforting.
Materials
Play
Step 1:
Hold your little one close to your bare skin while lying down, sitting back, or gently rocking.
Step 2:
Sing a song you love, letting them hear your voice and feel the vibrations.
Step 3:
Gently trace patterns or shapes on their back with your fingertips.
Step 4:
Try a soft-touch game by lightly tapping or pressing different areas and saying “boop!” or making gentle sound effects.
Step 5:
Respond to their reactions—if they seem engaged, continue playing, or just enjoy the quiet closeness.
Extend
Skin-to-Skin Storytime: Hold your little one close and tell a simple story in a soothing tone, adding gentle touches as you describe parts of the story (e.g., “A soft breeze blew” while lightly stroking their arm).
Breath matching: Take slow, deep breaths and notice if they start to match your rhythm. Great for calming and bonding.
Body part song: Sing a song and gently touch different parts of your little one's body as you name them (e.g., “This is your nose, boop! This is your hand, squeeze!”).
