0-3 Months
- Massage: Gentle massage promotes relaxation, bonding, and circulation.
- Tummy Time: Place baby on their tummy for short periods to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.
- Sing-Along: Sing simple songs and nursery rhymes to engage baby's hearing and language skills.
- Read Aloud: Read short stories or poems to expose baby to language and build vocabulary.
3-6 Months
- Peek-a-Boo and Hide and Seek: These games encourage social interaction and develop object permanence.
- Sensory Bins: Fill a bin with safe objects like toys, beans, or rice for exploration and tactile development.
- Motor Skills Play: Provide toys and activities that encourage crawling, rolling, and reaching.
- Water Play: Bath time or splashing in a shallow pool can provide sensory stimulation and motor development.
6-9 Months
- Object Exploration: Offer various toys and objects for grasping, shaking, and manipulating.
- Shape Sorters and Stacking Toys: These activities develop problem-solving skills and coordination.
- Musical Instruments: Introduce musical instruments like shakers, drums, and bells to encourage creativity and auditory development.
- Ball Games: Roll a ball back and forth to encourage crawling and gross motor skills.
9-12 Months
- Hide-and-Seek: Hide objects or toys and encourage toddlers to find them.
- Puppet Shows: Use puppets to tell stories, engage imagination, and develop language skills.
- Block Play: Provide building blocks for construction and problem-solving.
- Scribbling and Drawing: Offer crayons or markers and encourage toddlers to draw on paper or walls.
12-18 Months
- Pretend Play: Provide toys and props (e.g., dolls, kitchen sets) for imaginative play.
- Storytelling: Tell short, engaging stories and ask toddlers questions.
- Singing and Dancing: Encourage singing, dancing, and movement activities.
- Cognitive Games: Play simple matching or sorting games to develop cognitive skills.
18-24 Months
- Dramatic Play: Create a play area with costumes, props, and a stage for role-playing.
- Painting and Coloring: Provide paint, brushes, and paper for creative expression.
- Gross Motor Activities: Encourage running, jumping, climbing, and outdoor play.
- Language Games: Play charades, animal noises, or other language-building games.