Infant Play
What can I do to help promote play in my infant?
While all children are different and may enjoy different toys and interactions, the following are suggestions for activities and toys for the infant:
Birth to 1 month:
What you can do as a parent:
2 to 3 months:
What you can do as a parent:
4 to 6 months:
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Likes brightly-colored objects
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Likes to hold toys
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Enjoys rattles or bells
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Likes to splash in the bath
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Likes swings and strollers
What you can do as a parent:
6 to 9 months:
What you can do as a parent:
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Call your infant by name
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Speak clearly to your child and encourage different sounds
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Name body parts, foods, and people
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Tell your infant simple commands
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Play pat-a-cake
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Begin saying words that tell what you are doing
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Encourage your infant to crawl by placing toys beyond his or her reach
9 to 12 months:
What you can do as a parent:
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Take your infant to different places and outings
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Play ball with your infant
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Read to your infant
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Tell your infant names of body parts
Toys for infants:
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Birth to 6 months:
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6 to 12 months: