Activities that allow your baby to practice gross motor skills such as crawling, climbing and walking will be particularly appealing to your baby as he approach his first birthday. Even if your baby isn’t walking at this stage, you may find that you still have to work hard to keep up. As babies become increasingly mobile, they want to engage in play that allows them to use these skills. They will often begin to try to do simple activities independently.
Music from the kitchen
Make fun instruments from upturned pots and pans with wooden spoons. Use your homemade instruments to explore different concepts, such as loud and soft, fast and slow.
Outside fun
Take your baby into the backyard or go to the park. Let your baby feel different surfaces, let him sit and crawl on the grass or sand, feel stones and leaves with constant supervision as some objects can look like a tasty treat! Talk about and name objects as you explore together, helping her develop her language skills.
Water fun
Fill a low, wide container with some water and place it on the ground. Float small objects, such as flowers or corks in the water, and let your baby reach and splash. This is a great summer activity!
Safety note: Never leave your baby unattended when playing with or near water of any depth.
Playgroup NSW has a number of playgroups specifically for families with babies up to 12 months old and babies are also welcome at our hundreds of general community playgroups throughout NSW. Find a playgroup now.