In partnership with Official Play Partner

Play is how babies learn about themselves and the world around them. ?It provides them with an opportunity to grow and develop by practising and mastering new skills. It is also a special way for parents and their baby to bond and spend time together,? says Caron Irwin, child life specialist, founder of Roo Family and child life specialist at Mastermind Toys. Toys, books and games that foster key developmental skills are an essential part of a baby and toddler?s world. Look for opportunities to enhance wonder, exploration, movement, language and all the other incredible skills that growing babies need to thrive. Here?s what you need to keep in mind when you?re picking out just the right items for your favourite little person. Promote speech and language
When you talk to your baby, you are creating building blocks for language. It?s simple: read books, count things, point out colours, repeat sounds back to them when they say them, use gestures along with words, narrate what you?re doing (?and now we?re walking over to get your red shirt.?) Play simple games like peek-a-boo and patty-cake. For toddlers, ask lots of questions, listen to what they?re trying to say and say it back to them, describe what they?re doing (?you found the lion stuffy!?) and choose books that feature repetition. Great toys that encourage communication and interaction include nesting cups, blocks, vehicles, play food and bubble solution.
Foster social and e...