Why Age-specific playful learning is important

1. Birth to 6 months old:

• Playful learning can start with a baby's first smile. Responding with a smile of your own is a form of play that also teaches a baby a critical social-emotion skill: "You can get my attention and a smile from me anytime you want―just by smiling yourself."

• Imitate your baby's coos and babbles and have back-and-forth "conversation" using your baby's sounds as a prompt. This sort of vocal turn-taking forms the basis of social language skills.

• Show your baby interesting objects such as a brightly colored toy. Let them bring safe objects to their mouth to explore and experience new textures.

• Place your baby in different positions so they can see the world from different angles. Supervised tummy time play is great for this.

2. 7 to 12 months old :

• Make sure your baby has a safe environment to crawl and explore.

• Give your baby opportunities to learn that their actions have effects—for example, when they drop a toy and it falls to the ground. Put a few toys within reach of your baby so they can take toys out and play with them.

• Use a mirror to show your baby their different facial expressions.

• Play peek-a-boo. This reinforces object permanence, the idea that something still exists even if you can see it. You'll know your baby gets the idea if you hide a toy under a blanket and they go looking for it.

• Expose your baby to a variety of sensory experiences. Taking them outside to play on the grass or catch bubbles, for example, is a great way to do this.

 3. 1 to 4 years old :

• When choosing child care and preschools, look for those that include unstructured playtime. Playful learning, where children take the lead and follow their own curiosity, should be the main focus of high-quality early childhood education.

• Let your child play with blocks, empty containers, wooden spoons, shape sorters and puzzles. Simple and inexpensive objects are some of the best ways to support a child's creativity and grasp of how the world works. Remember, it is parents and caregivers' presence and attention that enriches children―not fancy electronic gadgets.

• Give your child opportunities to play with peers. This is a good age to try a parent-supervised playdate.

• Help your child explore her body through different movements—for example, walking, jumping and standing on one leg.

• Provide opportunities for make-believe play—for example, pretending to drink out of an empty cup or offering toys that enable pretend play.

• Read regularly to and with your child. Encourage pretend play based on these stories. Ask your child to tell you what else might happen in the story.

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