0- 3 Months
Gentle Massage: Gently rub your baby's arms, legs, and back in circles. Awakens your baby’s sense of touch. This helps them relax and feel close to you. Play soft music or sing a lullaby while you massage. Awaken baby’s sense of sound. This can create a calming environment and help establish a bedtime routine. Keep lights low. Give your baby the gift of relaxation and bonding. Baby lullabies
Responsive Parenting: Pay attention to your baby's sounds and actions. Respond to their need, keep a journal of your baby's different sounds and how you respond. This can help you recognise patterns and better understand your baby's needs.
4 - 6 Months
Encouraging Movement: Place toys just out of reach to make your baby roll over or crawl. Create a safe space and play area with soft mats and colourful toys. This encourages your baby to explore and develop their motor skills. Your baby may like to hold and inspect objects. Mouth, shake and bang objects. Give your baby the opportunity to move and grow. Gross motor skills (babies and toddlers) - Children’s Integrated Therapies
Sharing Smiles: Smile and make eye contact often with your baby to build a strong bond. Use a mirror to play games where you and your baby can see each other and smile. This can help your baby recognise their own reflection and develop social skills. Give your baby the joy of shared smiles and connection. How to bond with your baby | NSPCC
7 - 9 Months
Supportive Play: Help your baby sit up, crawl, or stand by giving them support. Use pillows or a playpen to create a safe space for practice. This allows your baby to try new movements with confidence and safety. Give your baby the support they need to explore new movements. Baby and toddler play ideas - NHS
Sharing Toys: Play with toys together and take turns to teach sharing. Use simple phrases like "my turn" and "your turn" to help your baby understand sharing. This can lay the foundation for cooperative play as they grow older. Give your baby the skills to share and play cooperatively. Tiny Happy People - Activities for 6-9 month olds
10 - 12 Months
Praise and Encouragement: Cheer your baby on when they try to stand or walk. Create a small obstacle course with cushions and toys to encourage movement. This can make learning to walk fun and exciting for your baby. Give your baby the encouragement they need to take their first steps. Activities to support your baby's movement
Interactive Play: Play games that involve sharing and taking turns, like stacking blocks. Use toys that make sounds or light up to keep your baby interested. This can help to develop their cognitive and social skills. Give your baby the chance to learn through interactive play. Baby and toddler play ideas - NHS