Today Tile Triggered Content

Since birth, your baby has been absorbing language and information; their active, inquisitive mind has created millions of connections between words and their environment.^[1] You’ve played a pivotal role in your baby’s ability to understand words, and now they are starting to follow simple instructions. Read on to see how you have helped them so far and what you can continue to do. 

Relationships and understanding 

Gestures are often used alongside words when we talk to other people. Sometimes a facial expression says it all, totally replacing the need for words. Gestures embed meaning and are easier for your baby to use. When you listen to their words, look at their facial and body cues... they are trying to reinforce their meaning. 

Gestures are a non-verbal form of communication and can be made using individual body parts, multiple body parts or with the face.  

Your baby's independence is growing, and they are keen to get jobs done all by themselves. This can be a joyous time for you to step back and see how they engage with the world around them. Read how you can support them during this exciting stage... 

Plan for allowing more time 

Many children love water play because it stimulates their senses – especially touch, sight and sound –and it's a brilliant way to experience how their actions change outcomes (cause and effect); all in all, safe water exploration is a fantastic plaything! 

Some people believe that a baby and toddler who listens to classical music will become more intelligent. However, this has been found to be FALSE.  

Moving your baby into a different room can be exhilarating on the one hand and terrifying on the other. Every family is different and if you are happy with your baby sleeping in your room, you don't need to move them. But, if you're ready to make the move, here are a few things to think about ahead of the transition. 

When should you move your baby? 

Dear Zoo is a story about a child who writes to the zoo asking for a pet. The zoo listens to the child and sends them an animal, but is it a pet? Not really, the child sends it back and the zoo sends a new animal, but can you guess what happens? It isn’t really a pet again. Young children will love lifting the flaps to discover the animals the zoo has sent. 

This classic book has been enjoyed for decades by babies, school age children and everybody in between. It's great for little hands to explore through the flaps that lift to reveal the different animals in the story. We love that the animals sent by the zoo can create lots of chat about the difference between wild animals and pets. 

Let's face it, they'll always be your baby – even when they tower over you and have a mortgage! But around this time, your baby will increasingly be referred to as a toddler. We thought we'd look at what makes a toddler a 'toddler'. 

Definitions vary, but typically a toddler is a young child who is learning to walk. We quite like this definition taken from the Online Etymology Dictionary:^[1]  

There are tons of wonderful firsts in your baby's life: their first kick, smile, solid meal encounter – so many joyous achievements. These special moments will be treasured and shared with the people you care about for the rest of your life. 

For many, the months seem to fly by and, as parents, we often wish we could slow time down. Every day, you witness your baby flourish and grow up right before your eyes and you may wonder where the time has gone, and whether they are turning that corner from being a baby to becoming a toddler...

We’re big fans of enjoying the great outdoors – whatever the weather! There are many benefits to playing outside for young children; here are some of our favourites .  

Building balance, strength and control