The Star Child enrichment calendar tell parent’s when their child is especially ripe for growth and engagement.
An example calendar is here : https://www.souljoy.com/sample-star-child-calendar/
You can order one here : https://www.souljoy.com/products/star-child-calendar/
In each of us, there are times when the changing influences of astrological planets help us awaken and grow in specific areas of our mind-body. Because this guide is for infants – and their parents – we focus on the three planets that move fast enough to make a difference for an infant in the first few years of life : Mercury, Venus and Mars.
During Mercury times, we support language, curiosity, thinking, and dexterity
During Venus moments, encourage social relationships, expressing feelings, and exploring preferences.
During Mars activations, aid independence, physical activity exploration and bravery.
Here are some general principles to help you make up your own activties:
Grasping/ Mouthing of toys.
Visual Tracking.
Use objects that make sounds.
Simple motor/body movement experiments.
Mirror play with mirrors and other safe, reflective surfaces.
Peek-a-boo
Hide toys under a blanket.
Gazing and reaching toward something.
these build curiosity-driven sensory discovery, visual/auditory exploration, and teach basic cause-and-effect
reflection, early self-recognition, understanding objects exist when out of sight, investigative play
Perception and Thoughts
(Mercury)
Mirror baby's coos exactly, pause for reply.
Point to toy together, name it softly while sharing gaze.
Repeat "ba-ba-ba" pattern, let baby join.
Share board book, point to pictures, make fun sounds.
Hold bright/high-contrast toy 8–12 inches from face, move side-to-side for visual tracking.
Place kick-activated toy or jingle bells on socks to discover kicking makes sound.
Provide safe objects with different textures/sounds for free exploration.
Prop unbreakable mirror during tummy time for baby to gaze/smile at reflection.
Hold baby facing mirror, let them pat or reach toward "other baby."
Place baby, with soft toys, near mirror for visual/tactile exploration.
Hide small toy under blanket or cup, watch for baby to search/lift.
Use pop-up toys or stacking cups for repeated reveal/hide play.
Dance - hold the baby firmly and comforably and sway to gentle music together.
Sing with your baby. If your child sings along, repeat their song.
Stroke hands/feet with soft scarf, whisper loving words.
Show kick toy once, let baby discover sound.
Love and Relationships - (Venus)
Provide safe objects with different textures/sounds for free exploration.
Prop unbreakable mirror during tummy time for baby to gaze/smile at reflection.
Hold baby facing mirror, let them pat or reach toward "other baby."
Place baby, with soft toys, near mirror for visual/tactile exploration.
Drape light cloth over face/toy briefly, encourage baby to pull it off.
Offer a variety of choices – toys of different color and texture to play with.
Gaze into each others eyes.
Touch the baby tenderly from head to toe.
Hold the baby firmly and comfortably and sway to gentle music together.
Sing with your baby. If your child sings along, repeat their song.
Stroke hands/feet with soft scarf, whisper loving words.
Smile at mirror reflections together, point tenderly.
Rock skin-to-skin singing gentle lullaby.
Assertion and Independence (Mars)
Offer soft rattle or textured teether for grasping, shaking, mouthing.
Place kick-activated toy or jingle bells on socks to discover kicking makes sound.
Provide safe objects with different textures/sounds for free exploration.
Drape light cloth over face/toy briefly, encourage baby to pull it off.
Hide small toy under blanket or cup, watch for baby to search/lift.
Use pop-up toys or stacking cups for repeated reveal/hide play.
Support reaching and baby-led actions.
Play movement games - paddy cake, gentle tug-and-push hands and fingers.
Rock skin-to-skin singing gentle lullaby.
Dangle rattle in reach, cheer any arm movement.
Roll soft ball just beyond reach, cheer stretch/roll.
Show kick toy once, let baby discover sound.
Glossary of Terms
Object Permanence. – the understanding that objects (and people) continue to exist even when they are out of sight.
Jean Piaget – A french Psychologist who studied children.
Zone of Proximal Development – the magical space where your attuned support helps your little one stretch just beyond what they can do alone.
Scaffolding – temporary support in the form of such as hints,
modeling, encouragement, breaking tasks into steps, or
adjusting difficulty. As the learner masters the skill, the
support is gradually removed until they can do it
independently.
Sensorimotor windows (Piaget-inspired) — for independent sensory exploration.
* Vygotsky windows (sociocultural-inspired) — for interactive, relationship-based activities tailored to the Mercury, Venus, or Mars theme active that day.