Your baby's first year

A guide to play and development

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Babies don't need much

The most important thing you can give your baby is your time and attention. Provide a safe and interesting environment to explore, sing songs and play peekaboo. Toys should be simple, if you offer them at all: balls, bowls, boxes. This is a time for discovery.

You are your child's first teacher

All your baby really needs in the first few months of their life is you.

1

You

Your child's first teacher
The first year

Babies don't need toys. An engaged adult (you!), the chance to move and some interesting materials to explore. That's it.
Read our manifesto.
Learning to see

Newborns have very limited vision. The world is blurry and monochrome. Offer high-contrast, black-and-white objects to help sight develop.

2

Perception

Help your baby notice the world around her
Investigate materials

Reach, grasp, shake, mouth, cast aside. A six-month-old needs no toys. Fill a 'treasure basket' with everyday objects, sit back, relax and enjoy a nice cup of tea.

3

A treasure basket

Awaken the senses
Peekaboo!

Memory takes time to develop, but you'll have lots of fun along the way.

4

Object permanence

To learn babies must remember
Get ready to walk

Combine a year's worth of strength training and co-ordination to take those first steps.

5

Gross motor skills

Co-ordinate limbs and learn to sit, stand and crawl

Get the age guide for babies

The 100 Toys Method

1

Simplify

Our introductory guide will help you declutter and get back to basics.
Get the free guide
2

Learn

Understand how children learn and the key changes they go through.
The Age Guide
3

Play

Introduce open-ended activities that encourage independent play.
Independent Play