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Playing with Your Baby - Birth to Twelve Months

Becoming a new parent is an exciting time! In the first 12 months, you and your baby will learn and grow together. Things may get busy, but remember to take time to enjoy your baby.

Baby on stomach

From birth to 3 months
From 3 to 6 months
From 6 to 9 months
From 9 to 12 months

 

 


From birth to 3 months, there are many things you can do with your baby, such as:
  • Slowly move a toy back and forth.
  • Coo and smile at your baby.
  • Talk and read to your baby.
  • Sing to your baby and play music.
  • Make faces and noises.
Toys for a 0 to 3 month old:
  • Rattles and squeaky toys
  • Mobiles and musical toys
  • Colourful, washable stuffed toys
  • Hand and finger puppets
  • Velcro wrist toys
  • Picture books

This is also a great time to start tummy-time. Wait until your baby’s umbilical cord falls off to start this activity. Tummy-time helps prevent baby from developing a flat head and it also helps with healthy muscle development. In the beginning, your baby may only like this activity for a few minutes at a time.

It’s important to remember to put your baby on his tummy only when he is awake, never when he is asleep. If your baby falls asleep while you’re doing this activity, turn your baby over so he is sleeping on his back, or pick him up and place him in his crib on his back.

Tips for tummy-time include:

  • Place a clean blanket on the floor.
  • Place your baby on top of the blanket on her tummy.
  • Use brightly coloured toys or a childproofed mirror directly in front of her to help hold her attention.
  • Remember, you’re the most interesting object for your baby. Get down on the floor with your face directly in front of her so she can see the most important person in her life. Talk to her, sing to her, and tell her what a great job she is doing with holding her head up.


If your baby is very unhappy being on his tummy, here are a couple of suggestions:

  • Place your baby on your chest when he is awake. This will help him get used to being on his tummy and he will try to pick up his head so he can see your face.
  • You can also give your baby support by putting a rolled up towel or receiving blanket under his chest. Make sure you put his arms in front of the towel. This will help your baby stay on his tummy a little longer.
  • Give him several brief periods on his tummy throughout the day. Start with 2 to 5 minutes and then gradually increase the time, until he can play from 20 to 30 minutes.

 


 From 3 to 6 months, you will notice a big change in your baby. He is starting to laugh and can do more things. During this age, continue with tummy-time.

Other activities you can do with your 3 to 6 month old baby are:
  • Copy your baby’s sounds.
  • Sing and say rhymes.
  • Read to your baby.
  • Use your baby’s name often.
  • Smile and laugh with your baby.
  • Let your baby explore your face with her hands.
  • Play games like “peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake.”
  • Touch your baby’s mouth, nose, and toes while naming the body parts.
Toys for a 3 to 6 month old:
  • Bright, colourful toys
  • Soft, washable toys
  • Play gyms
  • Toy keys
  • Floating bath toys
  • Puppets
  • Musical toys
  • Sturdy books with simple pictures

  


 From 6 to 9 months, your baby is becoming more curious. It’s time to childproof your home. Your baby is starting to do things on his own, and starting to move.

During this time, activities you can do with your baby include:
  • Read, sing, and say rhymes.
  • Help her wave bye-bye, blow kisses, and clap her hands.
  • Name clothing as you dress her.
  • Point to her as you say her name.
  • Point to and name pictures in books.
  • Play games like “peek-a-boo.
  • Try to get her to move towards a favourite toy.
  • Show her how to put toys into containers and take them out.
  • Help her stand by putting her hands on a couch.
Toys for a 6 to 9 month old:
  • Blocks and balls
  • Activity centers and musical toys
  • Dolls and puppets
  • Floating bath toys
  • Sturdy books
  • Pots and pans
  • Toys to put in shoe boxes and margarine containers
  • Squeeze toys

 


 

From 9 to 12 months, your baby is learning a lot of new things. You’re his first teacher and there are a lot of activities you can do with your baby during this time, such as:
  • Get down to his level when you talk or play.
  • Use simple words such as, “big truck.”
  • Copy the sounds he makes.
  • Sing and play music.
  • Say rhymes to teach him his body parts.
  • Read books over and over again.
  • Help your baby learn about his world:
    • Smell the flowers and touch the grass.
    • Look for bugs and listen to the birds.
    • Talk to him about what you’re doing.
    • Look at family pictures and name the people.
Toys for a 9 to 12 month old:
  • Cloth or cardboard books
  • Stacking cups
  • Pots, pans, and wooden spoons
  • Boxes and plastic containers
  • Pop up toys
  • Balls
  • Small family photo albums
  • Scrapbook of animal pictures
  • Dolls and puppets
  • Musical toys
  • Toy telephone

 


There are several agencies in the Windsor and Essex County area that provide programs to help parents learn how to play with their babies. Here are a few suggestions:


For more information call the Intake Nurse:

  • Windsor-Essex County Local calls: 519-258-2146 ext. 1350
  • Long distance calls: 1-800-265-5822 ext. 1350

 


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