Babies benefit from play time

The next time you find yourself playing peekaboo with your baby, know that you’re also boosting their healthy development.

Babies learn and make sense of the world around them through play. Research has shown that play impacts everything from physical abilities and vocabulary to problem solving, creativity and empathy.

In addition to peekaboo, babies benefit from such simple acts as clapping, cooing, talking in exaggerated voices, and your silly faces that make them laugh. In fact, a recent study found that babies learn better when they are laughing.

Of course, young children of all ages benefit from play, especially from time spent interacting with their parents and other caring adults. Your attention and responsiveness supports their healthy brain development, so encourage all types of play and join in the fun. You’re expanding your child’s learning.

About First Things First

Arizonans created First Things First to support the health, development and early education of our state’s youngest children. First Things First partners with Arizona families and communities to help kids have the positive experiences they need to arrive at school ready to succeed. We do this through quality early care and education programs, preventive health efforts, and supporting parents in their role as their child’s first teachers.

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