Play & Learn

After introducing developmental play to our children in the initial stages after their birth, their playtime allowed for wriggling, twisting and stretching for them to strengthen their bodies.

Playing and learning is extremely healthy for children’s growth. They play and learn to solve problems and develop fine and gross motor skills. Eye-hand coordination with finger movement plus running, dancing, jumping, and climbing are ideal ways for full body development. It is very important to have interesting toys for children to play with to encourage learning. Remember never to rush learning as each child learns at their own pace. Stage two of child development is where your baby starts to play and learn.

Stage Two

4 Months

Ø By month four our babies began exploring their senses and motor skills.

Ø They were feeling and grasping play toys like plastic rings, blocks, rattles and stackers learning about their different senses and having fun.

Ø Our babies were also rolling around and this action prepared them for sitting up and for crawling later on.

Ø With our babies’ eyesight strengthening they started tracking lots of patterns and designs including the faces around the house.

Ø Teething toys were a good start for the early gum pain.

5 – 8 Months

Ø From month 5 upwards our babies practised to sit a lot and we put toys around them for playing and to also stop them from falling on their sides.

Ø At the same time, they strengthened their spine.

Ø As soon our babies were learning to sit and balance for a little longer, play toys like stackable rings and blocks that were used for grasping also helped with hand-eye coordination.

9 Months

Ø By month 9 our babies enjoyed crawling, almost everywhere.

Ø We could not let them out of our sites as they did not like to be in one place.

Ø Be careful of them stopping and picking up every little thing on their path.

Ø As they got stronger, they started holding onto things, picking themselves up and moving in a slide-walk manner.

Ø We realised at this time that our babies needed a lot of guidance and control and by using words like ‘yes’, ‘no’, ‘sit’ and ‘stop’ sparked their attention and they began to follow these simple instructions which became a game.

Ø Activity tables with colourful buttons helped our babies to strengthen their legs and keep them entertained for much longer.

Ø These activity tables are detachable for using on the play mats.

Ø You can also use household items for the play mat, like plastic boxes with lids, bowls and cups.

Ø We also introduced lots of picture books and wooden peg puzzles to our babies, but make sure they are indestructible learning material.

12 Months

Ø As our babies grew stronger and stronger practising to balance their legs and hold on and walk.

Ø After 1 year they started practising to walk on their own until they became robust.

Ø Our babies enjoyed pretend play, including copying some of our habits, like talking on a toy telephone, playing on a toy piano and drinking from a toy cup.

Ø The push cars and prams came into play soon after that as it helped our babies become very swift.

Ø The large blocks continued to keep our babies busy, stacking them and knocking them down.

18 Months

Ø By 18 months our babies were walking freely and confidently.

Ø Their need to explore independently was visible, kicking a ball, chasing after it and playing in the garden.

Ø Play dough with a rolling pin excited our children together with finger painting.

Ø A bucket and spade came in handy with water and sand play.

19 – 24 Months

Ø At age 2 our babies were ready to try everything new.

Ø They loved playing with musical instruments and making loud noises.

Ø Puzzles, puzzles, puzzles became the highlight of daily play, moving away from wooden board puzzles to the pieces.

Ø Puzzles encouraged problem solving, fine motor enhancement, and cognitive skills.

Ø Legos, matching colour blocks and snap beads became interesting and intriguing educational toys that kept our children busy.   

Ø I call it, “Playing House”, taking care of a doll with a doll house and accessories is a good way to enjoy the day.

This is the stage when your child will love to play alone. They are not interested in playing with others quite yet.