Why play matters
Play is central to your child's learning and development. When your child plays, it gives them many different ways and times to learn.
Play also helps your child:
- build confidence
- feel loved, happy and safe
- understand more about how the world works
- develop social skills, language and communication
- learn about caring for others and the environment
- develop physical skills.
Play ideas to support development:
Baby
Newborns and baby
Looking at your face and hearing your voice is play for your baby, especially if you’re smiling.Music, songs or bells develop hearing and movement. Peekaboo is great for your baby’s social and emotional development. Objects with different textures develop the sense of touch. Objects of different sizes, colours and shapes can encourage your child to reach and grasp. Sturdy furniture, balls, toys or boxes can get your child crawling, standing and walking.
Toddler
Your Content Goes HereToddler
Large and light things like cardboard boxes, buckets or blow-up balls can encourage your child to run, build, push or drag. Chalk, rope, music or containers can encourage jumping, kicking, stomping, stepping and running. Hoops, boxes, large rocks or pillows are good for climbing on, balancing, twisting, swaying or rolling. Dress-up games with scarves and hats are good for imagination and creativity. Hills, tunnels or dens can encourage physical activities like crawling, climbing and exploring.Singing, dancing and clapping will support communication and language development and movement
For more ideas for play activities to support your child's development visit:
