Getting to know and playing with your baby

Babies, toddlers and children learn through play, and your playful interactions with your new baby have a big part in this!

At first, it might feel like you're in a cycle of eat, sleep, cry, repeat as you and your baby get to know each other, your baby adjusts to life in the outside world, and you adapt to being a parent.

But, if you have time to pause for a moment, you'll begin to notice your baby responding to your touch, voice and gaze. This is the starting point for your baby’s early play as they respond to you and notice and enjoy your reactions to them.

Much of your baby’s early play will be linked to building relationships, as well as developing their physical skills. So, rest assured that your playful interactions with them while feeding, changing and comforting are all helping to build your baby's busy brain!

Find out more:

National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2004). Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships: Working Paper No. 1. Retrieved from www.devhcdc.wpengine.com