Baby and play

During the first year your baby will go through what is called the exploratory stage. Until she is about three months old play will mainly consist of observing people and objects and of making rather random attempts to grab hold of anything that is held in front of her.

After three months your baby will gain enough control over her hands and arms to enable her to grasp hold of, and examine, small objects. As soon as she can creep, crawl or walk her world will explode. She'll forage for herself and will examine everything within her reach.

What toys to give your baby?

From about five weeks

Her visual field will be increasing and she'll enjoy watching anything that moves, so hang mobiles above her cot and changing mat. They're easy to make from household items if you don't want to buy them.

By three months

She'll love objects that make noise so provide her with a rattle or a toy that she can shake or strike out at. Choose a brightly coloured lightweight, unbreakable, washable rattle that has a slight enough handle for her to grasp easily (at this stage she won't have the muscle strength or co-ordination to grip on to anything for more than a few seconds).

By four months

Plastic beakers filled with beans, or water-filled canisters will also make interesting noises and she'll be able to hold them between both hands.

By six to ten months

Any object that is fairly small and has crevices, holes or handles that your baby can poke her fingers into or wrap them around will be ideal. They should be brightly coloured and, if possible, make a noise, like rings with bells on them.

Put a fairly large specially designed baby mirror in her cot - she'll love staring at her own face. Never be tempted to put one of your own mirrors in the cot - it could easily break.

Musical boxes seem to provide endless fascination for small babies and can play a part in your bedtime routine. The best ones have a string that the baby can pull herself.

Activity centres that have a series of knobs and buttons that your baby can push or turn to make noises can be attached to a piece of furniture or the bath. As your baby's manipulative abilities improve she'll love playing with this.

Ten to 12 months

Once your baby can pick up something small she'll be able to hold chalks, pencils, crayons and, eventually, paint brushes. She'll be more mobile now and will enjoy being able to pull or push toys like trains, cars or walking dogs. Provide her with some toys on strings so that as she sits on the floor she can draw them in towards her.

Games to play together

Play peek-a-boo with your baby, either when she's in her cot or if she's sitting on your lap. You can vary the game by hiding your face behind a headscarf or towel instead of your hands.

Buy a large inflatable beach ball and gently roll it towards your baby. Once she can sit unsupported she'll be able to bat a ball back to you with her hand. You could even throw a small soft ball (such as a beanbag or foam ball) gently into your baby's lap for her to “throw” back to you. Show your baby how to fill up a container with a selection of toy animals, plastic spoons - anything really that isn't breakable. Then encourage your baby to have a go and you'll soon find that she'll sit for hours filling up and emptying her container.

Babies seem to have endless patience with and fascination for stacking beakers or rings, both of which help your baby with co-ordination. They come in a variety of styles although the basic principle is the same. The ones with large pieces are better for younger babies because they're easier for less co-ordinated hands to grab hold of and manipulate.

Safety tips

• Make sure the toys you buy are for the appropriate age group and have a CE label.

• Never give your child anything to play with that is so small that she might swallow it by accident or gag on it, push it up her nose or into her ear.

• If you buy an second-hand painted toy make sure that the paint is lead-free. Young children put everything into their mouths and children have been known to get lead poisoning from toys covered with paint containing lead. (This applies to second-hand furniture too.)

• Never leave your baby alone while she is playing, not even in a playpen.

• Always provide non-toxic crayons and pencils. For your own sake, make sure that the crayons, pencils and felt tips you provide will wash off surfaces and fabrics.

• Don't buy toys made from thin rigid plastic. They break easily and leave sharp edges.

• When you buy soft toys check for a safety label. If there's no label make sure that there are no sharp pieces of wire used to hold any additional pieces on, and check that eyes and noses are firmly secured to the fabric.

Games for babies

Never in a baby's development is play more synonymous with learning than in the first few years of life. She is learning to see properly and discovering how to use her hands and how to master hand-eye co-ordination. She may learn quite a lot by simply watching and moving her own hands, but she'll practise and perfect her new skills with any toys you give her.

Suitable toys

• Mobiles
• Rattles
• Mirror
• Music box
• Large/small balls
• Soft toys
• Squeaky toys
• Bendy toys
• Activity centre
• Books
• Cooking utensils

Dr Miriam Stoppard

New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard

Posted 03.11.2010

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