A parent is the baby’s first playmate. Play is a fun way for the two, the parent and the baby, to bond and it encourages healthy child development. Play is a way to let child learn about themselves, other people, and the world around them. It helps to build confidence, relationships, and basic skills. Toys for babies don’t need to be expensive. You can make to with things you have around the house, as long as they are unbreakable, safe – without broken pieces or sharp edges, and the right size – something that can fit through a paper towel roll is too small. A worthwhile toy is washable, made to last and appeal to parents too, as the parents are also involved in playing with the kid.
Initial Words and Music
For the initial stage of baby’s life, play won’t involve many toys. Singing is a fun, easy and portable way to play with your baby which has rich learning experience as well associated. It will be wise to
- Use Books while Playing – It will be good to read with your baby every day, and remember that babies also want to play with books. They like to put books in their mouth and try to turn pages, so do provide books for baby to play and keep them clean.
- Use games, song and rhymes as you play with the baby. You can make up a diaper-changing music, or try a little rhyme as you try and dress the baby.
- It is good to encourage buzzing as this is how babies learn to make different sounds using their own voice. Let them repeat these sounds, and turn them into real words and while doing so you can end up making all sorts of language games that are sure to delight the baby.
First quarter after birth
During this stage new born is developing hand-eye coordination, trying to reach for various things, touching and feeling things, and learning how to hold articles. Good things to use in this age include Cloths or transparent scarves that can be used for gentle touch and feel, a mirror without sharp edges that can be placed for baby to see his image, gentle soft fabric that can attach to your baby’s wrists or ankles adding to the beauty, brightly coloured clothes having coloured textures to add to the beauty, gentle material bracelets that don’t have loose parts, and any photo of a dolls or cartoons or stuffed animals.
From 3 to 6 months post birth
This is the age for your baby to develop two skills including fine motor of using hands and fingers, and gross motor of moving arms and legs skills. Baby is fascinated with his own hands, arms and legs and starts to connect arm and hand movements and the resulting feeling that makes him excited. Toys that can help support your baby’s development include doughnut-shaped objects made from plastic or fabric, large enough to grasp, pieces of brightly coloured and textured fabric, a play arch where baby can lie on back and kick at toys hanging above, and toys that make interesting sounds and generate excitement amongst the babies.
From 6 to 12 months post birth
After six months of the first year, your baby sees anything within reach as a potential toy which he would be keen to put in the mouth. There is an eagerness to know how things work, and what happens to those things by various actions including dropping, rolling, shaking or throwing. Toys that are safe and appealing to babies this age include a set of nesting cups that will help in playtime well beyond the first year. Cups, little pails and other unbreakable containers. A soft ball, as long as it is large enough to fit in a baby’s mouth. Stuffed vehicles like trucks, cars. Riding toys designed for babies of this age. Soft toys that are gentle and small enough to handle. Bathing toys, like boats to float and cups.
It will be goo to check the label of the toy to ensure it if of quality and right for the baby.
Active play
Active play in reality actually starts from the birth itself. Very young babies are excited when their tummy is gently handled and this time also helps to strengthen the muscles in their neck and upper body. It will also be good to ensure that the baby doesn’t spend long periods of time in a seat or stroller. It will be good to avoid introducing electronic items at this age. To conclude play time is the best time for baby and babies learn best when managed with love and care.
