Babies: play & learning

Play is more than just fun for babies and children. It’s how they learn and develop. Playing with your child is one of the most important things you can do. Article available in: Arabic, Dari, Dinka, Hakha Chin, Karen, Persian, Simplified Chinese, Swahili, Tamil, Vietnamese. VIDEO: The role of play in child development The role of play in child development is physical, cognitive, social and emotional. When it comes to development, play is like ‘fireworks’ for the brain! Baby emotions are often expressed and developed through play. Simple play ideas to help babies explore emotions include music, messy play and puppets. Play ideas for baby imagination and creativity From birth to 12 months, babies’ imaginations are expanding, and play is key. Get play ideas and creative activities to help your baby’s imagination grow! Play ideas for baby movement and physical activity Your baby’s physical development will amaze you. Physical play activities include tummy time, music play, dangling objects, and push-and-pull toys. Babies develop language and talking skills through play. Play ideas for baby language skills include reading, storytelling, nursery rhymes and everyday chat. Play ideas for baby talking and reading: in pictures Play is how babies develop and learn. Get illustrated play ideas to develop baby talking and reading, including everyday talking, singing, naming and words. Play ideas for baby cognitive development Your baby is thinking and learning all the time. Play ideas for baby cognitive development include reading, playing with balls, blocks, rattles and more. VIDEO: Why risk in play is good for child development Risk in play lets children test their limits and learn new skills, as experts explain in this video. This is why risky play is good for child development. VIDEO: Why messy play is good for child development Messy play has many benefits for child development, as our expert explains in this video. It can build fine motor skills and spark ideas for pretend play. VIDEO: Why playing with sound is good for child development This video takes you through different ways children can play with sound, like listening, making sounds and playing with different melodies and rhythms. VIDEO: Why puppet play is good for child development Did you know puppet play can help child development? This video explains that children can use puppets to explore feelings, identity and relationships. VIDEO: Why boredom is good for your child’s play and development Boredom is great for play and child development. This video explains how children have to use problem-solving and creative thinking when they’re bored. VIDEO: Learning through play: babies 4-18 months This short video is about babies learning through play. Playing games, reading and singing are great ways to play and help your baby learn and develop. VIDEO: Families with diverse cultural backgrounds: play and learning In this video, parents from diverse cultural backgrounds play, read and sing songs to their children in their first language, and also in English. Letting your child lead play: activities for children 0-6 years Child-led or child-directed play is following and responding to your child’s lead. It’s good because your child learns most when they’re engaged in play. Baby play: ideas and activities Babies find out about the world through play and exploration. Try fun and stimulating baby play ideas and baby games like making noise and reading books. Read tips. VIDEO: How to spark play ideas for your child Is your child ever unsure of what to do next during play? Simple things like looking at pictures or going outside can sometimes spark new play ideas. VIDEO: How to spark your child’s play with open-ended questions Asking open-ended questions during play gets children imagining and thinking about new ways to do things. Try questions like ‘What can you use that for?’ VIDEO: How to use play materials to stimulate your child’s imagination Simple play materials can stimulate your child’s imagination. Try materials like cardboard boxes and natural materials from outside. Toys and games for kids – what’s best? It’s about matching play to your child’s age and interests. You can often do this with simple activities and objects. How to choose the best toys for your child The best toys spark children’s imagination, creativity and problem-solving skills. They let kids follow their own interests and lead their own play. VIDEO: Why it’s good to step back from your child’s play Stepping back from children’s play can be good. Child-led play lets kids explore their own play ideas. You can get involved by following your child’s lead. VIDEO: Why free time to play is important for children When children have time and space for play, imaginations soar. Just adding cardboard boxes to a space can inspire pretend play. Our video has more tips. Children’s play doesn’t have to cost a lot if you use open-ended objects and simple materials to encourage thinking and imagining. See how in this video. Homemade toys and free activities for children A little imagination can turn ordinary items into homemade toys and free activities for kids. Get ideas for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and school kids. VIDEO: Treasure boxes: play ideas for children Treasure boxes are filled with everyday items and natural materials. Kids love discovering what’s inside! Treasure boxes are good for sparking play ideas. VIDEO: How to make simple puppets with your child Puppet-making can be as easy as drawing a face on your fingertips or putting your hand in a sock, as our video explains. VIDEO: Sound hunt: play ideas for children We’re going on a sound hunt! This video explains that a sound hunt gets children listening for different sounds, like chirps, barks, squeaks and more. VIDEO: Messy play: tips for parents Messy play is fun for kids, but mess can mean stress for you. It’s easier if you use old clothes as smocks and limit materials. Get more tips in our video. How to make sensory bags for babies A sensory bag is full of things that babies can touch, taste and look at. Make your own with a cloth bag and a collection of safe, interesting things. Outdoor play is a big part of growth, development and wellbeing for kids. Outdoor play ideas include tummy time, ball play, nature walks and bike rides. VIDEO: Outdoor play: easy ideas This video has easy ideas for outdoor play. Try physical activities like balancing on walls or creative ones like making craft from natural materials. VIDEO: Why all-weather play is good for children Playing outside in all weather teaches children about how their environment feels and how their body responds. This video explains. VIDEO: Nature walk: play ideas for children Why not head outside for a nature walk? You and your child can collect things like leaves and sticks, then use them for craft, pretend play and more. Tummy time for babies: in pictures This parenting guide in pictures shows why tummy time is important, how to do tummy time with a young baby, and how to make sure baby enjoys tummy time. VIDEO: Playing with balls: ideas for children Balls are good for physical play, but balls can spark imagination too. Your child could even turn ping-pong balls into monster eyes! Get tips in our video. Rough-and-tumble play: a guide Rough play can be fun. It can also help kids develop social and physical skills. Ground rules can stop kids from getting hurt when they’re play fighting. Rough-and-tumble play: activities for children Rough-and-tumble play is climbing, wrestling, rolling around and play fighting. It’s fun and good exercise. Get ideas for rough-and-tumble play activities. Physical activity at 0-5 years: what, how much and why Daily physical activity is good for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. When you make physical activity fun and part of family life, it’s easy to get moving. Playgroups: what they are and why they’re good Playgroups are great for your child’s learning and development, and they can be good for you too. Here’s how to find a local playgroup that suits your needs. VIDEO: Playgroups: why they’re good Playgroups are great opportunities for children to play and learn together. They also give you the chance to meet new people, as this video explains. Learning for babies and young children Right from birth, children learn by playing and exploring. They learn best by actively engaging with their environments and trying many different activities. Early numeracy skills: how to develop them Children develop maths and numeracy skills from birth. Build early numeracy skills by counting, sorting, looking at shapes, singing number songs and more. Literacy development is learning about sounds, words and language. Everyday activities like singing, talking, reading and play help children develop literacy. Literacy activities for children Want fun literacy activities for your child? Sing nursery rhymes, play ‘I spy’, scribble, draw and write together – and read, read, read! Get more tips. Reading and storytelling with babies and children Reading and storytelling with babies and children promotes brain development, teaches children about language and emotions, and strengthens relationships. Reading with babies from birth Start reading to babies early – the earlier the better. Read slowly. Point out words and pictures. Babies like books and stories with good rhyme and rhythm. VIDEO: Telling stories with children In this video hear a storyteller’s tips for making a fun story anytime, anywhere. Telling stories with children promotes literacy, language and reading. VIDEO: Telling stories with children: Mook Mook the owl Watch and listen as Anne E. Stewart tells the story of Mook Mook the owl. See how telling stories with actions can help your child develop language. VIDEO: Telling stories with children: The crocodile Watch and listen as Anne E. Stewart tells a story about a crocodile. See how telling fun stories with actions can help your child develop language. VIDEO: Telling stories with children: The old lady and the mosquito Watch and listen as Anne E. Stewart tells the story of ‘The old lady and the mosquito’. See how telling stories can help your child develop language. The Let’s Read literacy program supports you to get reading with your children. Check out Let’s Read for tips on building children’s literacy skills. Healthy screen time and digital technology use: checklist Screen time can be part of a healthy lifestyle for your children. Just balance screen time with other activities and encourage kids to use quality content. Screen time and digital technology use: babies and toddlers For children aged 0-2 years, most types of screen time are best saved until they’re older. Connecting with family and friends using video chat can be fun. How children see TV, online videos, games and movies When kids watch TV, YouTube, TikTok, games and movies, they’re affected by violence, sex and scary images. The effects vary according to children’s ages.