Playtime for both you and your infant can be loads of fun. It is also a great time for learning, as studies have shown that babies learn through play. And, as a bonus, your baby will likely be quite exhausted and sleep very well afterwards.
While playtime can bring joy and learning for you both, there are certain things to think about to help make it a positive experience.
With Playtime, Timing is Everything
By the time infants are four months to eight months old, they have a fairly well-established schedule for napping, eating, and playing. Your goal now is to use that schedule as a base to build on as you create the perfect playtime plan.
Before any infant playtime begins, ask yourself two questions:
- Has my baby gotten enough rest?
- Has my baby had enough to eat?
Nobody, especially a baby, is at their best when they haven't had enough to eat or enough sleep. You can have the best baby toys in the world, but it won't matter if your little one is too tired or too hungry to pay attention and have fun.
Playtime Safety for Infants
Even the most coordinated and stable babies are prone to toppling over every now and again. And when they start to roll over or crawl, the ability to get into trouble will increase.
So before playtime begins, make the play area safe. A safe environment will also help with your peace of mind.
(Click Playtime Safety to learn specific ideas on making the play area safer.)
