Give your child daily opportunities to learn through play

• Children learn by playing, observing, copying, and trying new things starting from the moment they are born. Your child enjoys and learns through playing with you! All your child needs is you.
• Give your child opportunities to explore the world around him through play. He will enjoy playing with his fingers and toes, your face, and household objects. Follow his lead, encouraging play with safe objects that interest him. Observe his body language and sounds, and do not force him to play with something when he is not interested.
  • Give your child challenging but achievable tasks. Guide her actions and build on what she can do to make the task slightly more difficult.

Birth up to 6 months:

• Slowly move colorful objects for your baby to see and reach for. Watch his eyes move side to side as he follows the object.
• Place your baby on her tummy with a colorful object out in front of her. Watch her reach for it and praise her when she picks it up! She learns by putting objects in her mouth so make sure the object is clean, not sharp, and not too small that she could swallow it.

6 up to 9 months:

• As you introduce new foods for your baby, he is learning new textures and tastes. Encourage him when he tries new foods! Having diverse and colorful foods is important.
• Give your baby clean, safe household objects to pick up, touch, feel, bang, and explore. Examples of simple toys to play with include small containers or a pot with a spoon.
• Draw or make simple picture books to develop your baby’s curiosity and help her learn new things.

9 up to 12 months:

• During mealtimes, give your baby small finger foods and encourage him to try new, healthy foods. He is starting to learn how to pick up things with his fingers and chew. He will often make a mess and that is okay! He is learning to feed himself and exploring different types of foods!
• Play games like “peekaboo” with your baby. While she is looking at you, cover your face with hands or fabric. Say, “Where is Mommy?” Open hands and say, “Boo! Here I am!” Laugh with her as she sees you! She is starting to learn that you do not disappear when she does not see you.

12 up to 24 months:

• Play with your child and encourage him to try harder tasks. Encourage him to stack objects, knock them over, and start again. Give him more objects to stack. Help him if he gets stuck!
• Encourage your child’s imagination using sock puppets. Make up a story using the puppets.

• Summarize the session by asking the caregiver(s) to demonstrate or explain what they will go home and do with their child. Ask if the caregiver(s) see any barriers and problem-solve together how to overcome those barriers.
• If appropriate, agree on the next meeting date.