Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Infant Play: Overview
Children need few toys during babyhood. Parents' ample love
and attention is far more critical for infants' healthy
development and well-being. In fact, newborns are more
captivated by human faces than by inanimate playthings, and
infants continue to prefer people over toys. Being gently
and playfully cuddled, touched, and talked to contribute to
children's earliest impressions that the world is wonderful
and safe and can be explored without fear.
Infants need extremely close, almost constant, supervision.
They are engaged in the vigorous process of self-discovery,
and are becoming acquainted with their new world by looking,
listening, chewing, smelling, and grasping. Most of their
learning comes through play. Thus, they require safe toys
that appeal to all of their senses and stimulate their
interest and curiosity.
Babies have extremely short attention spans, so simple,
repetitive play and sensitive, appropriate responses from you
are best. Play only while your infant seems to enjoy it.
Look to your baby for clues for changing a game. For
example, if your baby begins to look bored after mastering a
game of batting at a dangling toy, vary the play by moving
the toy farther away or off to one side.
Your infant needs to feel some control over the new
environment. Play experiences that encourage your child to
make things happen lead to a solid base of confidence and
trust. Your baby learns what to expect when he or she drops
a ball or squeezes a squeak toy. Your little one also
delights in causing you to do something over and over like
picking up a toy that has been dropped again--and again.
By the end of your child's first birthday, a strong
preference will probably develop for some toys over others.
For further information, see:
Teaching Independent Play Skills: Infant
Play Materials for Infants
Toys for Infants
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