Infant Play
What can I do to help promote play in my infant?
While all children are individuals and may enjoy different toys and interactions, the following are suggestions for activities and toys for the infant:
Birth to 1 month:
Likes to be wrapped and/or held securely
Likes the colors black, white and red
Will be startled and disturbed by loud noises
What you can do as a parent:
- Sing and talk to your infant
- Play music softly
- Rock your infant, take him/her for walks
2 to 3 months:
- Likes bright objects
- Enjoys pictures and mirrors
- Likes rattles
- Enjoys infant swing
- Enjoys car rides
What you can do as a parent:
- Sing and talk to your infant
- Play music softly
- Rock your infant, take him/her for walks
4 to 6 months:
What you can do as a parent:
Sing, talk and read to your infant
Provide tummy time: Encourage your infant to crawl and sit by placing him/her on the floor
6 to 9 months:
What you can do as a parent:
Call your infant by name
Speak clearly to your child and encourage different sounds
Name body parts, foods, and people
Play pat-a-cake
Begin saying words that tell what you are doing
Encourage your infant to crawl by placing toys beyond his/her reach
Continue to cuddle, sing and read
9 to 12 months:
- Enjoys looking at books
- Likes naming animals and identifying animal sounds
- Enjoys large toys that can be pushed and pulled
What you can do as a parent:
- Take your infant to different places and outings
- Play ball with your infant
- Read to your infant
- Tell your infant names of body parts
Toys for Infants
birth to 6 months:
- Mobiles
- Mirrors that will not break
- Music boxes
- Stuffed animals with parts that could not be swallowed
- Swings
Board books
6 to 12 months:
Rev. 7/08
