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Playing with your baby helps them learn new things. When you play together, you are helping them get better at stuff. Watch what your baby likes and join in their play, it helps them grow and learn.
Tips for learning through play:
- Look at what your baby enjoys doing.
- Help them learn while they play by trying different toys and sounds.
- Make sure it is fun, smiles and laughter help their brain grow.
- Pay attention to their feelings to help them learn about emotions and social skills.
- Play with your baby; they learn from you.
- Try new things to keep them interested.
- Keep an eye on them to keep them safe.
As your baby grows older, they are learning a lot, but it also means there are more things to watch out for to keep them safe. This might make both you and your baby a bit worried sometimes.
How you respond or react to their emotions as they learn through play also helps their social and emotional development. Your baby will show lots of emotions during playtime. They may be happy for one minute, and then frustrated or bored the next minute.
Your baby is growing quickly in the second half of the year, which brings some safety risks and normal worries for both babies and parents. Read more about how to keep your home safe.
Things your baby will enjoy doing:
- Trying out new things and being in different places, like inside or outside.
- Playing on the floor where they have space to move around, roll over, crawl, and stand up.
- Playing with toys that move or have parts that move.
- Listening to stories, especially when mum or dad reads with alot of expression.
- Moving their bodies, like rolling, climbing, and crawling to explore things.
- Playing with bubbles, water, ribbons, or watching trees and leaves move.
- Making sounds with musical toys, singing, or even just making noise with toys.
Video: Helping your baby learn to walk
Video: Crawling
Active play ideas
Playing helps your baby's brain grow and improves physical skills. Give your baby a lot of safe playtime – both indoors and outdoors.
As babies become more active, there are different types of play options:
Structured activities
- Baby swimming classes.
- Baby gym or playgroups.
- Music classes.
Unstructured activities
- Swinging and climbing at the park.
- Rolling and chasing balls.
- Pushing toy cars or trolleys.
Using items or things in the house
- Use plastic containers for ball games.
- Roll balls in a laundry basket.
- Playing with pillows and cushions.
For more ideas read Playing with your baby with items around the house
Outdoor play
- Protect your baby from the sun with hats, sunscreen, and loose clothes.
- Bring water and healthy snacks.
- Avoid playing during the hottest part of the day.
