Can Babies Learn From Listening to Stories Before They Understand the Words? Imagine reading a story to your six-month-old. You’ve barely reached the second page when they’re staring at the ceiling, grabbing your sleeve or attempting to launch themselves backwards off your lap. You’re doing your best character voices, but your audience appears more interested […]
Sensory Play at Home Without Turning the House Upside Down Rain on the windows. Another load of washing. A baby who has examined every toy in the basket and now wants your full attention. You search for a quick activity. Five minutes later, someone on the internet suggests dyeing spaghetti in six different colours. Perhaps […]
Do They Know You Mean Them? When Babies Respond to Their Name You spent months choosing it. You checked the initials, said it alongside your surname and perhaps negotiated with someone who had very different ideas. Now you say your baby’s lovely, carefully chosen name… and they carry on staring at a curtain. Then, one […]
Why Everything Goes Straight Into Your Baby’s Mouth You offer your baby a carefully chosen toy. They look at it, grab it and immediately try to eat it. Next comes their fist. Then your sleeve. Given half a chance, your phone would join the tasting menu too. If you’ve wondered, “Why does my baby put […]
What Should You Read to a Newborn Who Cannot Follow the Story Yet? You settle down with your newborn and open a lovely book. Halfway through the first page, they stare past your shoulder, hiccup and close their eyes. Excellent. A demanding audience. It’s natural to wonder whether reading makes any difference when your baby […]
Rain Again? Indoor Baby Play That Actually Supports Development You’ve checked the forecast, looked out of the window and checked the forecast again, in case it has reconsidered. Still raining. With half-term nearly upon us, a few indoor play ideas feel particularly useful. Autumn brings those afternoons when the rain settles in and bedtime seems […]
The Wobble Before Sitting: How to Support Your Baby Without Rushing For three glorious seconds, your baby sits upright. You hover nearby, barely breathing. Their face suggests they’ve mastered the whole thing. Then they spot something interesting, turn their head and begin a slow sideways descent into your waiting hands. Welcome to the wobble before […]
Why Does My Baby Copy My Face? The Beginnings of Social Learning You open your mouth wide. Your baby watches carefully, then opens theirs. Naturally, you do it again. Within minutes, you’re pulling increasingly ridiculous faces while someone who can’t yet sit up studies you with the seriousness of a job interview. These small exchanges […]
Your Baby’s First Halloween: Playful, Gentle and Not Too Spooky Somewhere between choosing a tiny pumpkin outfit and wondering whether you can leave the house before the next nap, your baby’s first Halloween arrives. Suddenly, everyone seems to have a themed photoshoot planned. Meanwhile, you’re hoping the costume survives one nappy change. Here’s the reassuring […]
From Squeals to Syllables: Helping Your Baby Discover Babbling Your baby has discovered a new sound. Unfortunately, it sounds like a tiny pterodactyl, and they would like to demonstrate it in the supermarket. Meanwhile, you’re listening for a “ba”, a “ma” or anything that sounds vaguely like a word. If you’re wondering how to encourage […]
