Learning Through Play

Babies and children learn through play, so play is a very serious business! Everything is a learning experience for your baby, and anything new is fun, so learning and playing are indistinguishable. If you are aware of the skills he's developing in his first six months choosing games and toys that will interest him will provide enjoyment to you both.

Simple games Because your baby is fascinated by your face, "peek­a-boo" is one of the most successful games you can play with him. Hide your face in your hands or with a scarf or towel, then peek out at him, saying "peek-a-boo" as you do it. Babies develop a sense of humor quite early, and this is a game that they find endlessly amusing. When he's old enough to sit up without support, roll a large, soft ball gently toward him; he will eventually try to push it back to you with his hands; then you've got a real game going and he's acquiring early ball sense.

Rhymes and songs Your baby will love listening to rhymes, even when he's very young, because he likes to be talked to and rhythmic sounds are easier for him to listen to than normal speech. He will love to be sung to as well, whether it's a soothing lullaby or a more lively tune sung while you bounce him gently on your knee. Rhyming, rhythmic songs, and games encourage early speech.

Physical activities Even a very young baby will enjoy play activities such as gentle bouncing, swinging, and rocking. They will give him an awareness of his own body, which he will need as he begins to develop such motor skills as crawling and walking, as well as balance and coordination.

Feed his senses Your baby explores the world through his senses, and he will find anything new interesting. Allow him to spend as much time as possible propped up in a sitting position so that he can see what is going on around him, and leave small toys within his reach so he can handle them - toys that make noises or are made of differently textured materials are best. Catch his interest first by showing him the toys up close and demonstrating how the sound can be made - even something as simple as a plastic jar filled with fairly large beans and securely closed will serve as a toy. When he's older and able to grasp objects, you can give him stacking cups or rings - ones with large pieces are suitable while his grasp is still quite primitive. The kitchen is a good source of interesting toys for your child: small pans and lids, wooden spoons, spatulas, colanders and strainers, funnels, a set of measuring spoons, plastic cups, ice cube trays, and egg cartons. Let your baby create his own uses for them.

Choosing Toys

Many parents find it difficult to choose toys for a new baby - relatives even more so. A young baby won't be able to interact with his toys much at first, so they should be soft, simple, sturdy, and attractive to look at and touch.

Soft toys Your baby will like soft toys that he is able to squeeze and that have nice textures for him to touch and cuddle.

Mobiles For a newborn baby, a coloured mobile hung 10 inches (25 centimeters) above a crib or carriage will provide visual stimulation. Hang it qut of reach, but not so high that he can't focus on it. Change around the parts every few days to hold his interest.

Noisy toys Rattles, soft toys that squeak, and musical toys are all suitable for a young baby. By six months, he loves to play with a music box that he can operate himself - perhaps by pulling a string.

Books Your baby is never too young to be read to. From three to four months, choose books with large, brightly colored pictures; point to common objects and name them while he's sitting on your knee. Faces always attract him, so show him pictures in magazines and point out the parts of your face, then is face, and then the same parts in the pictures.