Walking is great for you – and your child
You have probably heard the praises of walking being sung many times over the years now. It’s wonderful for physical health and is good for breaking up a long day.
Taking care of you, too. Reach out for support at stressful times
Now your baby is getting older, your experience of being a parent is changing. Not only are you getting to see all the incredible new skills your baby masters, but you’re also having to adjust your routine, expectations and even your home to accommodate them.
Your baby can already tell different languages apart!
The way our voices rise and fall when speaking, known as intonation, and varying the volume we use when we talk are both important parts of communication. We share information not only through the words we say but also how we say them. When it comes to speaking in different languages, your baby can recognise ones they are familiar with.
Say what you see: using talk to capture your baby’s attention
When you think about the skills your baby needs to develop an understanding of language, sight is often overlooked. Your baby’s eyesight is developing as they grow, and now you might start to notice that they are looking at objects that interest them, as well as looking at you. Being able to see, and so be interested in, new things means your baby will be hearing and processing language associated with what they spot.
By talking about what they see, you'll help your baby make connections about the world
You can encourage this interest by looking at an object, held close to your baby, when you play together. Turn your head towards the object and look closely at it, talking about what you see. Your baby might be interested to find out more and follow your gaze to look at the object too.
Eye contact says so much to (and from) your baby
Eye contact is an important part of communication, and although your baby is still developing their eyesight, they will be able to make eye contact with the people around them. We use eye contact as part of understanding what others are trying to tell us – sometimes there are no words needed.
Play 'serve and return' with your baby (and we're not talking tennis!)
Do you enjoy a chat with your baby? They might be starting to respond with a smile, sound, or wriggle, and often that's enough encouragement for us to keep going. But, as well as being lots of fun and giving us some really cute videos to save and share with friends and family, these chats are amazing for your baby's development. Scientists at Harvard University call these chats, 'serve and return' interactions – read on to find out more.
The term ‘serve and return’ is used to describe the reciprocal interactions that adults have with babies and children.
Viva la vestibular! Engaging your active toddler's sense of balance
Our vestibular sense is related to balance and posture. Developing this sense, which has receptors in our inner ear, helps us to maintain balance while doing everyday tasks like walking, bending and sitting without having to concentrate on it. This frees us up to concentrate on other tasks while we move around.
Your toddler needs time and lots of active movement to develop their vestibular sense.
Three fun mirror play ideas
Mirror play is great for babies and promotes a number of early developmental processes. You might notice your baby studying their own image in the mirror as well as observing and responding to their own movements.
Tired, busy, stressed? This isn't how parenting has to be
Have you lost the time to do things you enjoy? Do you feel guilty for wanting this time? Remembering who you are aside from being a parent is vital for your wellbeing and for your baby, and we have some ideas for how you can do it.
Our parent writer Helen shares her (mixed) experiences of baby classes
These stories have been written by the same me.
The same me with different children.
The same me on different days.
The same me at different times of the day.
The same me with different baby classes.
The same me with different Mums in the same baby classes.
The same me with different leaders of the same baby classes.
You see, I have loved and hated baby classes. And my babies have loved and hated baby classes. And this hasn’t made me a better or a worse mother. Just as it hasn’t made them good or bad babies.
