Why play?
It’s been said that play is the real work of children. It provides an opportunity to explore the world in which
they live in and to learn through a hands-on sensory approach. Play is a universal learning experience for
children and a necessary life experience for overall healthy development. When play is allowed and
encouraged daily in a safe and stimulating environment, children are more likely to reach their full potential.
Toys and people are the simple tools that children need to enrich their play and learning. Children need a
variety of toys to match their developmental stage, their abilities and their interests. Every child is unique so
there is no one “right” toy for every child. For infants you are most likely their favourite toy! As they grow they
become more interested in other children and adults and each other’s activities and materials. Being involved
in play with others nurtures sharing and communication. Let’s look closer at what you can expect from your
child’s play through the infant and toddler years.
For babies under a year, play is all about discovering and exploring although their interactions are mostly with
adults. As they grow throughout that first year, they will get more and more interactive and interested in their
environment. Babies enjoy hearing pleasant sounds and a variety of music. Try out some gentle rhythmic
bouncy rhymes, sing familiar songs and include plenty of lap time in your play. Play peek-a-boo to help your
baby develop his memory and play simple musical instruments to help him learn to listen and distinguish
different sounds. When your baby begins to grasp things, give him soft toys with handles to hold. Provide
rattles and shakers once he begins to shake and bang things. Mirrors are great to look at faces and talk about
who baby sees. Small light items that baby can reach and grab or move towards are enjoyed. Babies explore
the world through their mouth so always provide safe items to chew. Soft cloth or plastic books with simple
pictures are great for exploring with both mouth and hands. Generally speaking, babies under six months will
enjoy soft balls, bath toys, rattles, crib mobiles, baby mirrors, squeeze toys, teething toys and books.
Once your baby is more mobile he will enjoy plastic toys that make a sound when squeezed or ones that pop
up and play peek-a-boo. Be careful about over-stimulating noisy toys. Small blocks, balls and toys that can be
pushed, chased, passed to you or simply passed from hand to hand will be best. Try rolling a ball towards your
baby or put favorite items just beyond his reach to encourage movement. Books with pictures of familiar
items that can be pointed to and named are great choices. Babies are becoming problem solvers practicing
new skills and refining skills already learned.
Floating toys, plastic blocks, picture books, wheeled toys, rattles and noisemakers, soft balls, hammer toys and
busy activity centres are all suitable for babies 6-12 months.
As your baby becomes a toddler, the play becomes more active. Curious toddlers move, imitate, explore,
create, stack and build, dump things out, fill things up, push things together and pull things apart. They are
forever hiding and finding something of interest.
To support and encourage all of these behaviors, provide your toddler with push-pull toys to encourage
moving, toy telephones to practice using simple words and pretend toys (dishes etc) to encourage imitation.
Play catch with small beanbags or roll balls back and forth to help develop eye-hand coordination. Sing and
dance with your toddler and keep the play active and fun for everyone. Let your child take the lead.
Toddlers enjoy board picture books, simple puzzles, blocks, pull-push toys, nesting and stacking toys, sand and
water toys, soft balls and music CDs. Provide baskets for filling and dumping and transporting toys.
Infants and toddlers need playtime to occur frequently for brief periods of time throughout their day. They
need caring nurturing adults who will follow their lead, praise and celebrate their efforts and communicate
positively. They need plenty of supervision and good modeling. Remember to choose toys carefully, keeping in
mind your child’s stage of development. Next week we’ll look at open-ended “loose parts” for youngsters.
Donna Kaye is an early literacy specialist in Hastings-Prince Edward counties. She can be reached at Family Space
[email protected] or 613-966-9427 ext 270