SKIP Whanganui: Playing - your baby's main 'job'

SUMMER is here and the days are longer and suddenly warm it seems. Having fun with your babies and children, playing outside and doing things together, is important for their brain development and also for building those wonderful connections together as a whanau.

Babies and children love to play because it's fun and they enjoy it. But they also need to play because it is through playing that they learn about themselves and their world. Play is their main "job" at this time. Games help your young child to learn and they will enjoy the fun of playing. Play is very important for your child because that is how they learn.

Play helps to develop your baby's brain. When your young child is playing, they are using all their senses to experience the world. Their brain is developing because brain cells connect up as a result of new and repeated experiences.

When you are playing games that repeat themselves, like "this little piggy", "incy wincy spider" or "peek-a-boo", your baby is learning about being a partner in a game. They are learning social skills too - how to take turns, join in and imitate what you do. They are also developing skills in moving their whole body in response to the game. All of the games you play with your young child will help them to learn.

You are your baby's first and most important playmate. Think of a simple game like "kea hea koe/peek-a-boo". You can play this game with your baby from when they are about four months old. In this game, babies are using their eyes and their ears. They watch you cover your face and then uncover it. And they listen to the special tone in your voice when you say "peek-a-boo". As you keep repeating the game, your baby shows that they understand it. Babies learn quickly what will happen next. Soon your baby will start to laugh when the game starts or will be excited - anticipating that you will "hide" behind your hands and then come back.

You could hide a toy somewhere in an easy-to-find place and get your child to find it. They really love it when you build tall towers of blocks together and allow them to knock them over. These kinds of games are great examples of playing to learn. They help your young child to explore, interact with you and even start to learn about the process of scientific inquiry - looking at and understanding the results of their actions. In their play, your child will test out all sorts of actions and experiences. They may even start telling you what to do and directing the game. That's good and shows that all of the playing you have done is helping them to learn and gain the self-confidence needed to play with others. The most important tools you need for a rich play environment are time, attention and patience, and a sense of fun.

-To find out more about SKIP or to get a copy of the free SKIP parenting resources, contact Lynette or Liza at SKIP Whanganui on 027 626 1404 or email skipwanganui@xtra.co.nz.

Check out the SKIP Tips app, available free from the App Store and Google Play Store, or check out the parenting tips on the SKIP website: www.skip.org.nz.