Importance of Play Ages 0-5

Babies learn many thing s about their world through play; how things work and what people are like. You and your child will find many ways to communicate and love each other when you play together. Remember to look to your baby for hints – smiles, wiggles and eye contact are sure signs your little one is ready to fun. Repeated looking away or crying are signs your baby needs a break. Any activity can be playful, whether its bath time, getting dressed or taking a walk together – have fun and spend lots of time on the floor together. This is a time to follow your child’s lead while you offer the choices and keep things safe.

When your Baby is: Try These Activities: To Teach: 0-3 Months Talking while cuddling. Songs and Dancing. Mobiles and Rattles. Have baby kick your hands. Put baby on tummy when awake. Read to your baby. Communication/ Learning words. Rhythm/ Sound. Coordination/ Movement. Movement/ Body Awareness. Muscle Strength. Learning Words/ Sight Development. 4-6 Months Repeat your baby’s sounds Take your baby outside – show him things that you see and name them. Prop your baby up to sit on floor- have toys within baby’s reach. Peek-a-boo Communication/ Learning words. Senses/ The world outside. Exploring with their hands. Cause and Effect (you laugh – he laughs) 7-9 Months Putting toys in and out of a box Lift baby to standing and bounce or dance gently. Play pattycake Cause and Effect. Practice walking Imitation/ Eye-hand development 10-12 Months Hide and Seek with toys Scribbling on paper Blocks, Pegboards Rolling a ball to your baby Read with baby turning pages Naming face and body parts This little Piggy/ Where is Thumbkin Cause and Effect Eye/Hand coordination Coordination Coordination/Taking turns Reading Learning Words/ Body awareness Finger hand skills 13-18 Months Songs and Dancing together Play with balls Story telling Rhythm/ movement Eye/ Hand coordination Learning words/ creativity 19-24 Months Trips to the park to play Fantasy play (cooking/store) Play time with other children Simple puzzles Scribbles on paper Reading and having your child ‘read’ to you ‘Help’ with household tasks Strength/ Social skills Creativity Social Skills Perception/ Eye hand coordination Writing Skills Reading/ Learning words Self-Esteem