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When you become a parent, you don’t just assume the role of a caregiver. You also become your little one’s first companion and teacher. This is why playing and interacting with your baby is so crucial. It is in these moments that they develop skills and reach important milestones like learning to talk, understanding words, and learning to socialize. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to keep the infant entertained and engaged every moment of the day. But you need to account for the fact that babies need time to themselves as well. This is the only way that they will gradually start to understand that they are independent of you and are capable of doing things by themselves. So, if you’re wondering just how much you need to play and interact with your little one, we’ve got you covered. Read on to know more!
How Much Playtime Does A Baby Need?
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There are many proven benefits of play for both babies and kids. In fact, play is the most underrated teaching mechanism we know. It encourages your child’s ability to plan and execute a strategy, teaches them how to organize, how to make friends and negotiate with peers and regulate their emotions when they don’t get their way. Playing can also help them develop language, math and social skills. Not to mention that physical activities keep them fit and healthy. Your baby, although curious about the world, still needs to rest often as they have a low reserve of energy. However, as they grow, you will start to read their cues and gauge when they want to interact and play and when they’d rather rest.
Reading and responding to your baby’s signals will help the two of you form a strong connection and teach you how to communicate with the little one. But this doesn’t mean that you need to keep your little one entertained every second of the day. In fact, it’s important to find moments where you observe them interacting with the environment without interfering unless they are in danger. Allow them to explore and move their tiny body. You can place your infant on a play mat or a blanket in a safe open space with some alluring toys within easy reach. Then you can do a task nearby while still keeping an eye on your excited baby. Teach them how to be alone for a few moments. Once they get accustomed to this routine, you can slowly start to extend the ‘me’ time your baby gets. Just be observant and pick them up if they start to fuss or cry. Your baby needs a good balance between these moments along and playtime with you to develop well.
How Much Interaction Does A Baby Need?
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Every baby is different, so it really depends on them. Some babies are content to simply lie back and stare at the ceiling or their toes for a long while, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Whereas, others may want to spend more time talking to you or grabbing at every new thing they see, and that’s normal too!
Keep in mind that babies communicate their needs through sounds, facial expressions and their body movement. So, they will let you know that they need you by cooing or crying, smiling or frowning, and by waving their arms and legs around. You don’t necessarily need to set aside special time to interact with your baby. Every minute is a chance to interact with them. Talk to them when you change their diapers or during mealtime. Go for a walk in the park and give them the word to every object they point at. But remember that babies can get overstimulated quite quickly so try to keep the adventures short and sweet.
Easy Ways To Play With Your Baby
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- You can try imitating their coos and babbles to have a conversation with them.
- Narrate what you are doing to your baby throughout the day. Describe why you are doing what you are doing and what you are seeing. They may not understand you but they are listening to you.
- Encourage your little one to do tummy time. You can make this more fun for them by getting on the floor with them.
- Sing songs, play music and read to your baby in order to engage them.
- Put your baby down in a different spot of the house so that they can see their surroundings from a different perspective.
- Spend time by the windowsill pointing at all the things you see.
Playing and interacting with your baby doesn’t have to be draining. Your little one does not need you with them every second of the day. Allow them to naturally cultivate an interest in their environment and let them show you how much time they need to spend with you.
Sources
- Healthy play, better coping: The importance of play for the development of children in health and disease, NCBI
- The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children, NCBI
