Babies and toddlers love to play with their parents and other care givers, brothers, sisters and grandparents and even the maid.

Young babies show their eagerness to play through vigorous kicking, cooing, wide eyes, and big smiles. Toddlers may tug at your clothes or the neck chain to seek your attention By around two years they may bring a picture book to see with you or a pull along toy and would love you run with them

The best ways to play with an infant or toddler is to get down on the floor and play together in ways that are appropriate and fun. Child development experts call this “floor time.” Floor time is time you spend indoors on the floor or on the ground giving your baby or toddler your full attention.,

Sing a song and have your child to clap to it or sway to it. You will see that soon the child will start to rock as she hears you hum the familiar song. She may give a wide smile and show exciting movement to express joy.

Follow her lead on what you think she wants to do. Offer her interesting items and watch how she reacts. In following her lead, you will bring more joy in your child’s life as it the way she has chosen to play. It also gives the child confidence and the joy of communication.

Toddlers enjoy playing by imitating other children and adults. For example, they may like to sweep the house like the maid, pretend to cook with few vessels on the floor.

The more experience they have with other toddlers, older children, and adults, the better they learn to take turns and share. You could involve them, to do small chores. Ask them to to get you a glass of water, or give these keys to your dad. Simple task like these gives them immense pleasure and makes them feel very important.

You need very, inexpensive toys or even junk to play with them, for example; a big cardboard box which could be in the house they will hide in. You might play matching games with household items you have gathered which you use for teaching differences in shapes, lengths, sounds, and colors. With young children use items big enough so that they cannot put it in the mouth or hurt themselves with it. One thing young children love at this age like is blowing bubbles.

Older kids especially boys love a little bit of rough play, in sand, water and other physical activities. Just supervise this so that they don’t get hurt.

With your playful attention, even if for only a short time each day, your child makes enormous strides. Through play she is creating a foundation of self-confidence, communication and l earning and social skills that will ensure her success in school and throughout life. Your time and love make all the difference in the world.