In your bustling world of parenting, it's easy to over prioritize how we think our young one should be spending their time. Music classes, playgroups, screen time, socialization at daycare, spending time with other caregivers who engage your child constantly, reading time… while all of these are important parts of a child’s growth, we often overlook the importance of independent play in their development.
]]>Is your baby already overscheduled?
In your bustling world of parenting, it's easy to over prioritize how we think our young one should be spending their time. Music classes, playgroups, screen time, socialization at daycare, spending time with other caregivers who engage your child constantly, reading time… while all of these are important parts of a child’s growth, we often overlook the importance of independent play in their development. While our presence is undoubtedly crucial in their early years, making time and space in their schedules for solo play holds immense benefits that extend far beyond mere entertainment.
Independent play is not simply a break from adult supervision; it's a transformative experience that nurtures a child's cognitive development. During these self-directed moments, children have the freedom to explore, experiment, and problem-solve without external guidance or intervention. This hands-on approach fosters creativity, imagination, and critical thinking skills, laying a strong foundation for skills they’ll use throughout their lives.
The renowned Montessori education philosophy wholeheartedly embraces the significance of independent play. Maria Montessori, the pioneer of this approach, believed that children are naturally curious and driven to learn, and that unstructured play provides the ideal environment for them to discover and expand their knowledge.
Independent play is not just about learning; it's also about developing essential life skills. In the absence of constant adult intervention, children learn to self-regulate, make choices, and manage their emotions. They also develop a sense of independence and self-confidence, knowing they can entertain themselves and engage in meaningful activities without constant adult support.
Children often need to play independently for various reasons. Consider a parent working from home who needs uninterrupted time to focus on their tasks. Or, imagine a parent tackling household chores without a child underfoot. In these instances, encouraging independent play allows parents to accomplish their responsibilities without compromising their child's learning and development.
In addition to the cognitive and developmental benefits, there are also practical ones too. Parents and caregivers may need to tackle household chores without a child underfoot, finish work tasks, or engage in independent play themselves – perhaps by modeling independent play behavior in the form of a craft or book.
Ensuring a safe and stimulating environment is crucial for successful independent play. It’s important to designate a space for independent play, free from clutter and distractions.
Independent play can and should be tailored to the appropriate age group of your child. Children as young as two can play independently, depending on their attention span. Of course, each child has different needs, interests, and abilities, and may not fit strictly into these guidelines. Don’t worry! Find what works for your child and encourage them to play independently.
Two-year-olds can concentrate for 5-6 minutes: Independent play for toddlers involves simple toys like blocks, stuffed animals, and colorful containers provide endless opportunities for exploration and creativity. Push and pull toys encourage movement, and stacking cups and rings encourage problem solving.
Three-year-olds can concentrate for up to 8 minutes: Dress-up clothes, puzzles, and imaginative play sets spark imagination and role-playing, encouraging social and emotional development. Children in this age group may also enjoy art materials, like play dough, crayons, and finger paints. Try introducing problem-solving puzzles and sorters, active play toys, and simple books.
Four-year-olds can concentrate for 8-12 minutes: Preschool children can enjoy time coloring, doing simple crafts or puzzles, playing with or decorating cardboard boxes, looking at books, sorting coins, and more.
Five-year-olds can concentrate for up to 18 minutes: Older children may be able to work on phonics or math worksheets, engage in pretend play, begin to read independently, and practice handwriting.
While encouraging independent play, parents and caregivers should still maintain a watchful eye without hovering or interrupting their child's concentration. You can balance supervision and autonomy by setting clear boundaries and expectations.
Independent play is not lost time; it's a vital developmental skill that empowers children to become self-directed, creative, and confident. By nurturing their independent play skills, you’re laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning, growth, and resilience.
Want more guidance on setting your child up for independent play? Use Happy Little People Co. activity cards for ideas, which offer ideas on how to introduce new concepts, skills, and challenges to your baby to five-year-old with or without a playmate.]]>The good news is that we’ve been exactly where you are now. And we can help you move forward.
]]>So you had a baby. Now what?
How do you play with them when their attention span is so short?
What do you need to do to help their brain develop?
What toys should you buy?
What if you do it wrong?
We get it. You’ve dreamt of this moment and now you’re not quite sure what to do. It’s overwhelming and it seems like there is so much information coming from every direction.
The good news is that we’ve been exactly where you are now. And we can help you move forward.
Children learn through play and it all begins at home. Household items, often overlooked in their potential as toys, hold a wealth of possibilities for open-ended play. Imagine the curiosity and wonder that a child can experience as they explore the textures of a Tupperware container, the stacking possibilities of cereal boxes, or the rhythmic sounds produced by banging on pots and pans with wooden spoons.
Open-ended play is characterized by its lack of predetermined outcomes, allowing children to explore using their imaginations and creativity through everyday objects.
In fact, a 2021 study found that children were more likely to engage in open-ended play with everyday objects found in their home environment than new unknown toys provided to them. This means that they want to open and close closet doors, empty drawers, or push chairs around the room. And that’s a good thing!
Open-ended play offers a multitude of benefits for baby and toddler development, fostering their cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Here are some key advantages:
As soon as a child is mobile, we often hear adults saying that they’re “getting into everything,” as if that were bad. Next time your child makes a ruckus by rampaging through a kitchen cabinet, recognize it as an important part of their development. Free play for children means they’re exploring the world around them, working on skills that will be useful for the rest of their lives, and they’re having fun doing it.
Having household objects as toys for children on hand is not only beneficial for child development but also promotes eco-friendly practices, reducing the need for excessive toys. It embraces a minimalist approach, encouraging parents to appreciate the simple joys of everyday items. Additionally, it's a cost-effective way to enrich your child's play experience.
Happy Little People Co. activity cards provide a fun and engaging way to introduce open-ended play with household objects. Each card features a simple activity suggestion using everyday items, encouraging parents to actively engage with their children and foster a shared sense of curiosity and creativity.
For example, the Echo activity from the 12-month deck encourages language play and uses simple objects found in most households, like a cardboard tube, an empty can, and a plastic bucket.
Embrace the power of household objects for your baby to play with. By incorporating open-ended play that is natural and easy to adapt to your established daily routines, you'll nurture their creativity, imagination, and cognitive development, all while creating lasting memories and strengthening the bond between parent and child.
Discover our collection of activity cards designed to inspire open-ended play with household objects you already have on hand. Visit our website today and embark on a journey of creativity and imagination with your little one.
]]>Does that sound like you?
]]>You joke that the best toy you bought for your child was the box the toy came in. You’re standing in your child’s playroom, amid a sea of discarded toys, feeling overwhelmed. With each new child in your family, more money is spent on toys… and you’re not sure if any of them really add educational value to their lives.
Does that sound like you?
As parents, we want to provide our children with the best possible experiences. Oftentimes, that materializes as an overflowing toy box to stimulate their minds and creativity. However, while abundance may seem like a blessing, it can actually hinder a child's development and well-being. Minimalism, on the other hand, offers a refreshing approach to toy selection and play, fostering a more focused, engaging, and stimulating environment for your little one.
The idea that more toys mean more fun is a common misconception. In reality, a vast array of toys can overwhelm a child's senses, leading to overstimulation and a reduced ability to focus and engage meaningfully with any one item. This sensory overload can have detrimental effects on their emotional and cognitive development.
Yes, a cluttered playroom can be annoying. And furthermore, it’s also not helpful to your baby’s growing and developing brain.
A cluttered play area can be visually overwhelming for both children and adults. The constant barrage of colors, textures, sounds, and shapes can hinder a child's ability to concentrate and explore their surroundings effectively. Additionally, the sheer volume of toys can make it difficult to find the ones you need, leading to frustration and disengagement.
As your cranky child can’t wind down for their nap after playtime, it’s important to remember that your child’s reaction to overstimulating toys or environments is chemical. Overstimulation occurs when a child is exposed to a barrage of sensory input that exceeds their capacity to process and manage. This can lead to a surge of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, that can affect their emotions and make them hypersensitive to their surroundings.
Overstimulation in babies and toddlers can show up as:
By adopting a minimalist approach to toys, we can create a more stimulating and nurturing environment for our children. A smaller selection of well-chosen toys allows a child to focus on and fully engage with each item, enhancing their ability to explore, learn, and develop their creativity.
The benefits of shifting to a minimalist approach to your child’s play area includes:
Simplifying your child’s toy selection doesn’t mean having a yard sale immediately. You can create a balanced toy environment just by making a few simple changes to your routine.
By embracing minimalism in your child's playroom, you are not depriving them of opportunities for development. Rather, you are creating an environment that fosters focus, imagination, and a deeper connection with their surroundings. Remember, less is more when it comes to toys, and a minimalist approach can be a powerful tool for nurturing your child's well-being and overall development.
Our collection of minimalist activity cards and bundles is designed to provide your child with a variety of engaging and stimulating play experiences using simple materials that you probably already have on hand. These decks for newborns and toddlers are one way to encourage creativity, imagination, and exploration, without the clutter, noise, and overstimulation.
Discover how Happy Little People Co. can transform your child's play experience and your overflowing playroom.]]>You can’t pour French Champagne from an empty bottle, so let’s keep you topped up so you can keep showing up, day after day, as the awesome Mum that you are!
What us Mamas really need, to keep those good vibes flowing, is small daily expressions of self-love that can be done at any time of day, fitting very flexibly around our demanding schedules.
We need one small thing we can commit to doing for ourselves every day that is so easy that we will actually do it, and so rewarding that we will keep doing it.
So today, we are offering you our FAVOURITE self-love ritual. Both of us take these 5 minutes every single day to focus on us. Its made a massive difference to our mental health and self care.
Ok.. so grab some paper or your phone and choose one of the following 3 questions to answer... RIGHT NOW, go on do it now or you will never do it.
I this moment I feel...
To make today easier I could...
I am...
Spend 5 minutes free writing. It doesn't matter what you write or how you write it, but please do this just for you.
Starting tomorrow, pair answering one of these questions ( or 5 minutes of writing to yourself) with something you already do on a daily basis, such as drinking your morning coffee. This is known as “habit stacking". According to bestselling author James Clear in his book Atomic Habits (that we love—like, a lot), “One of the best ways to build a new habit is to identify a current habit you already do each day and then stack your new behaviour on top. This process can be repeated to chain numerous habits together, each one acting as the cue for the next."
We promise this small 5 minutes will make a huge difference to your head and your heart.
]]>Allow us to take the stress out of introducing new activities and keeping your little one engaged by incorporating our tried and tested ideas into your day.
Why not try one of these activities to get you through the day.
Ball in a Box: Cognitive Play
Put a small ball in a clear plastic container and put the lid on. Hand it over to your little one to explore. They will be fascinated to watch the ball move around inside as they manipulate the box. This is a great way to build their concentration, fine motor and cognitive skills.
Black & White Sensory Basket: Sensory Play
Gather a mixture of black and white objects from around the house (that will be safe for your baby to handle) and display them in a shallow basket. Invite your baby to freely explore the open-ended collection of high contrast objects, under your watchful eye.
Circle of Books: Physical Play
Pop your baby on their tummy on the floor. Find several board books and stand them up in a circle around them. Encourage (or help) your baby to pivot around to look at the different books. Then, when they grow tired of this tummy time activity, choose one of the books and read it together as you lay on your backs next to each other.
Let us know how you go with these activities! You know we got plenty more where they came from :)
]]>So as you may know, Kat and I have been besties for more than 20 years, we have travelled together, went to Uni together and were "best ladies" at each other's weddings and we're also Bachelor qualified teachers.
So when Kat became pregnant with her twins, (her first children) I was quite surprised when the poor woman turned to me in her freaked out state and said "I've spent so many years teaching other people’s children, how am I going to support my own children’s learning during their vital early years and set them up for success—especially with two of them at the same time?!
I need something simple and brainless— research-backed ideas I can trust, that (even in my sleep deprived, baby brain state) I can pick up and use at the drop of a hat without any effort or thinking, and certainly no special equipment or expensive toys. Help me woman!
At that stage, I had two girls aged 2 and 4 and while I was playing with them and trying to be as educating as possible but in the back of my mind I too was thinking, crap, am I even doing the right stuff with them? Are the activities I'm setting up appropriate? Are they learning what they are supposed to be? Are they going to be school ready?? Eeeekkkkk!
So, as the total nerds and creative go-getters that we are, we decided to embark on a learning journey that kind of accidentally evolved into Happy Little People. After doing all the research, and testing our ideas on LOTS of real humans, we created a series of milestone-aligned activity cards for babies aged 0 to 24 months, to get us through!
First and foremost we created these activity cards for ourselves, but then we realised that other parents were feeling the same way—uncertain, uninspired, overwhelmed and lacking in confidence—even though they were often confident and uber successful in other life domains.
We wanted to address this lurking fear that can emerge when you have just the right amount of knowledge to know how important a child’s early learning experiences are, but not enough knowledge to know what to actually do to address this need.
And so this is the gap we are here to address, and it’s our mission to help YOU navigate it…
Our activities are proven to help and they are all aligned to your baby's exact age. ( Trust us- we know - we used them on our kids and now over 6000 other parents world wide have too.)
We will empower you and give you the confidence that you have everything you need to support your little one's development & satisfy their needs beyond the basics of just keeping them fed, loved, clothed & alive!
Plus, as part of our community, you’ll never be alone. You are invited to connect with us and others just like you.
We promise that if you play with your little one using our activities on a regular basis your child will meet their key milestones on time, they will be learning on a deep level and will become more cooperative and connected to you... and you will feel more energised to boot!
Questions?? Feel free to email us. We will ALWAYS reply!
Big Love, Bianca and Kat
]]>If you’ve been here, then congratulations, you’re a totally normal parent!
It seems like no matter what you say the entire house becomes a playground full of kids toys, craft projects, discarded shoes, the random Cheerio, and stuff!
]]>If you’ve been here, then congratulations, you’re a totally normal parent!
It seems like no matter what you say the entire house becomes a playground full of kids toys, craft projects, discarded shoes, the random Cheerio, and stuff!
Maybe you feel frustrated and can’t quite put your finger on why. Maybe you feel stressed when your home isn’t tidy. Maybe you feel inadequate because your house isn’t immaculately decorated like the perfect Moms on Instagram. And maybe you feel guilty because your kids are playing and making memories, and all you want is for things to be a little cleaner and a little quieter so you can take a breath.
We get it – you can’t even begin to think about all the steps you need to take to straighten up an indoor play space for kids.
We got you! We’re sharing 6 steps for creating an inviting playspace that will help save your sanity!
There are countless areas where you can set up a play space, but think about a convenient place that both works for you and gives your kids a chance to play independently, a space where you can perhaps read a book or keep an eye on your children while making dinner.
Knowing that this is a space for play, containing the inevitable mess will help keep your stress levels down and all the “stuff” in one area.
Placing a rug or play mat on the floor helps show your little one the boundaries without the need to put up a gate. Adding soft cushions or a tent can make the space feel safe and cozy. You can even include an armchair so you can sit nearby but not necessarily be part of the play.
When you are selecting items to put out for your little one, put them at a level at which they can independently retrieve them. You want to minimize their need to rely on you, thus fostering their independent choice and child-led play.
Store toys and books on the floor or on low, open shelves. Then, at the end of an activity, (if they are old enough) start encouraging them to help you put everything away in the proper spot.
By having a place for everything, your little one will know where to find it and where to replace it. Tubs and baskets without lids are also a great choice.
Keep 6-8 toys and books easily accessible in your play space and a handful more in clear storage tubs. Then store the rest out of sight. Having only a few toys to choose from will help your little one focus as they play and allow you to introduce new (read: old) toys when they’re ready to change it up.
In fact, the benefits of shifting to a minimalist approach to your baby’s play space at home include:
An uncluttered environment will help your child build an internal sense of order and calm. With the burden of overstimulation lifted, they are free to learn from and appreciate each toy they endeavor to engage with. You may find that this tip is your favorite out of the list, as it will make clean up at the end of the day a breeze!
This is the big one. As parents, our child receives so much stuff, especially when our babies are very young or have a birthday party. Make it our goal to clean out the play space once a year.
When surveying toys, consider whether they inherently provide opportunities for your baby to use their imagination, creativity, or problem solving skills — or if, conversely, they essentially do the “work” for them. Many toys capture kids’ attention at first because they are flashy and make noise, but after just a few minutes, they’ll get tossed aside because there is not much else to do with them. Let these toys go.
Blocks and stacking toys, kitchen play, dolls, arts and crafts, nature-based toys, and puzzles are some examples of open-ended toys that tend to provide for more learning experiences and extended periods of quality play. Open-ended play encourages problem-solving, creativity, and decision-making skills as children experiment with different ways to interact with objects. Focus on the toys that are age appropriate for your little one.
Play spaces for kids shouldn't be static. As your child grows, rethink and rearrange the existing elements to better fit their evolving interests, needs, and skills. Swap out toys regularly, rotate furniture positions, and introduce new books to keep the space fresh and stimulating.
Your Happy Little People Toddler and Baby Activity Cards can help set up invitations to play in your child’s improved space. Keep your child’s current age-appropriate deck in the play space and make it part of your child’s routine. You could:
Want to create a portable and temporary play space that you can take with you? Here are some tips:
In today's technology-driven world, it's easy for children to become glued to screens, missing out on the countless benefits of playing outdoors. In fact, we all could use a little more nature in our lives!
]]>In today's technology-driven world, it's easy for children to become glued to screens, missing out on the countless benefits of playing outdoors. In fact, we all could use a little more nature in our lives!
Especially if being in nature doesn’t come naturally to you, you might find yourself – and in turn, your child – spending a little more time inside than you’d like.
But outdoor play for kids isn't just about fresh air, vitamin D, a change or scenery, or burning off energy (though those things are pretty great!). It's about unlocking a treasure trove of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth opportunities for children of all ages, from babies to little school-aged explorers.
These tips and benefits will help you and your little one spend more time outdoors.
There are so many! The benefits of outdoor play resonate throughout a child's development, enriching their lives in diverse ways.
While the benefits are clear, providing the opportunity for children to play outside requires more than just telling them to "go play." Here are some ways to foster a love for the outdoors and make it a fun and engaging experience:
Looking for more activities to encourage your toddler to play outdoors? Use Happy Little People Co. activity cards for suggestions, which include nature-based activities in each deck from birth to 5 years old.
]]>Initially, I signed up so I had an excuse to get out of the house and catch up with a girlfriend and her baby once a week, but as we continued, I watched her grow and it turned into something so much more.
I honestly think it’s part of the reason my now Grade 1 kid is reading at a Grade 3 level. Music boosted her language and cognitive skills.
Research shows that providing your little one with musical experiences can significantly boost their brainpower. Besides cultivating an early appreciation of music, musical play also provides rich cognitive and developmental benefits. For example, playing music to your baby can activate the neural pathways responsible for many skills, including memory, math, and emotional intelligence.
Pretty cool, huh?
Further, studies have shown that introducing your baby to music can help them develop early language skills and master complex concepts faster.
This is all well and good, but what if you don’t have a music class near you? It’s absolutely possible to lasso the benefits of music for your baby at home by incorporating toddler music activities into your routine.
From the moment they enter the world, babies are naturally drawn to music. Studies suggest that even in the womb, fetuses are receptive to the rhythmic patterns and melodies they hear. As they grow through their first year on the outside, music continues to play a crucial role in their development.
The repetitive nature of simple nursery rhymes and songs helps babies and toddlers focus on and develop their memory skills. They learn to anticipate familiar sounds and respond to changes in rhythm and pitch. They even learn about the structure of music, including verses and choruses.
Music evokes emotions in babies, allowing them to explore and express joy, sadness, or even excitement through sounds and movements. Music helps all of us – no matter the age – feel and discover emotions.
Engaging in musical activities with others fosters social interaction and collaboration. Toddlers learn to take turns, communicate effectively, and appreciate the contributions of others, preparing them for a successful social experience in school.
Music provides a platform for self-expression and exploration. As toddlers master new musical skills, their confidence and self-esteem grow, equipping them with a positive attitude towards learning in various settings.
Singing and listening to songs exposes babies to new sounds and patterns, laying the foundation for future language acquisition. Your child isn’t speaking yet? It’s never too early to start singing to your child.
As toddlers reach the ages of 1-3, music becomes an even more interactive and engaging experience.
Need some inspiration? Revisit some of the simple nursery rhymes from your childhood that make use of repetition, movement, language development, and more, like:
Here are some ways to incorporate music activities into your toddler's daily routine:
Music is more than just entertainment; it's a powerful tool for nurturing your toddler's development. By incorporating music into your daily routines, you can create a rich and stimulating environment that fosters cognitive, emotional, and social growth, ultimately paving the way for them to thrive in school.
So, turn up the music, open the curtains to a world of possibilities, and watch your little maestro blossom!
Want more guidance on involving music in your little one’s day? Use Happy Little People Co. activity cards for ideas, which include musical activities in each deck from birth to 5 years old.
]]>But, what is it? How will it help my baby? and how do I make one??
This little guide will show you the way.
]]>Ok, so we have all heard of this thing called a “Sensory Basket” or "Treasure Basket", popularised by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and influential educator back in the early 1900’s.
But, what is it? How will it help my baby? and how do I make one??
Well, the really cool thing about all sensory play is that it provides children with the kind of mental and sensory stimulation that activates the development of the brain, at the same time as providing richly satisfying experiences! Sensory play builds nerve connections in the brain's pathways, which enhances your bub's ability to complete more complex learning tasks. It has been shown to support language development, cognitive growth, fine motor skills, problem solving skills, and social interaction.
The best thing about a sensory bag for babies is that it gives your little one an opportunity to explore, experiment and make choices at their own pace.
So what is it?
A sensory basket is essentially a basket filled with a range of items that your little one can explore using all their senses. The Montessori ethos is based on the proven fact that children learn through understanding and doing, rather than being told. Montessori emphasised that the brain is developed by the discoveries of the hand. As the fine motor movements of the fingers touch an object, this information is sent to the developing brain.
The idea of playing with everyday items is not new, but a sensory basket gives your little one an opportunity to explore, experiment and make choices in their own time. Best of all, each time you mix up the contents of the basket, you provide a whole new world ripe for discovery. It is an ideal experience for babies from sitting age to about 18 months.
How to make one
Make up a collection of safe items that your baby can investigate using their five senses—things that they can rustle and rattle, shake, chew and smell.
And simply arrange them in the shallow bamboo basket so that your baby can see and access each item as they explore.
Try this simple recipe to get started
Sensory base ideas: Rice puffs, raw lentils, rice or quinoa (or any uncooked grain small enough to not be a choking hazard)
Objects: Add some objects that have different shapes, weights, textures and temperatures. Objects made from natural materials, such as wood, metal, wool, cotton, silk, etc, can be a good starting point because they tend to have different properties, whereas plastic toys tend to feel, taste and smell very much the same.
Sensory garnish: Citrus rind or dried citrus slices, dried lavender, dried rose petals, dried herbs & spices (e.g. a cinnamon stick), eucalyptus leaves, autumn leaves, fresh herbs (such as mint or rosemary), pine cones, pine needles, seed pods, edible flowers.
How to Play
Change the contents every time you offer sensory toys to your little one, providing an entirely fresh invitation to play and stimulating your baby’s sense of wonder!
What you choose will heavily depend on your baby's age and tendencies. Be very selective and choose items that won't be sharp or harmful if mouthed. The objects should be large enough not to be swallowed, and the sensory base should be fine enough to not be a choking hazard.
Then place up to 15 items in the basket and hand it over for your little one to freely explore (under your watchful eye, of course)!
A few tips:
Your Sensory Basket should not be left out 24/7 for your baby to play with. This is because they will inevitably become bored and disinterested in the items.
Try to set aside some time each day for your baby to explore the basket, as you actively supervise from the side lines. Try to do this at a time when your baby is alert, well fed and happy. Creating space in your day to provide a stable and safe environment for your child to explore their ever-expanding world is a benefit to all in your family.
Set up an environment that is calm, comfortable, inviting and free from distraction (and put your phone in another room). You might like to set the basket down on your baby's playmat, or a soft blanket on the floor.
You don't need to show your baby how to do things or guide the play in any way, as there is no right or wrong way for a baby to explore the materials you provide. Your role is to just sit by and be attentive, responsive and unobtrusive. Even if it looks like your baby isn't doing much, they may actually be processing, learning to trust their own judgement, or developing confidence and concentration.
Once you see signs of your baby becoming disinterested, pack the basket away and move onto something else.
It really is this simple.
Our kids absolutely loved playing with the various sensory baskets we created for them and it really did give us some time to sit back, relax and watch play happen. It was also a fantastic way to introduce independent play from a young age (under our watchful eye, of course).
Enjoy!
]]>Research tells us play is how babies learn best.
We can even think of it as their 'job' (though they're probably having way more fun at their job than we ever have at ours!). Play helps babies explore the world and teaches them who they are. It also allows babies to practice the skills they need for the future.
Playing with your baby helps them to:
But how do we make play inspiring and beneficial for both us and our little ones?
At Happy Little People, we have been working on answering this question in fun and practical ways and here is what we have found.
So how do you do it?
Finally, your baby will teach you many games of their own, so look out for their cues! They may communicate their pleasure by cooing, smiling, or giggling, or they may be really focused on repeating a particular action (such as throwing their spoon from the highchair to see you pick it up AGAIN!). Repeat these special games time and time again. These personal interactions, completely unique to your and your baby, will most likely be their favourite games of all!
If you are after age appropriate and development promoting educational toys for babies under 12 months, check out our Play Club. Intentional Play prompts for every stage, delivered to your door- right when you need them.
What are you waiting for... Go Play!
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