OUR little ones light up our worlds, but in the hustle and bustle of everyday life it’s easy to wonder what more we could be doing to help them as they grow.
The brilliant news is that just by chatting to them, having fun and getting them to see everyday wonder in what’s going on around them, you’ve got this nailed.
From waking up until bedtime, talking about what you’re doing and what you can both see, and asking them questions (even when all you’ll get back is a gurgle!), can turbo-boost their learning and give them the best start in life.
None of this needs any special skills – and it’s all free!
Little moments together
Rainy day? Pretend the sofa is a ship setting sail for adventures, loaded up with wild animals (well, cuddly toys).
Going to the shops? Spot fun things out of the bus window, make chugging engine noises or call out different colours as you walk around.
Even when you’re just so tired that all you can do is snuggle and sing your favourite Taylor Swift song to them, it all counts.
Simply set aside all outside distractions, tune in to your baby and be yourself!
Brilliantly, there’s a really helpful Start for Life website full of useful inspiration to get you started, but you’ll soon find that making the most of everyday activities comes naturally to you.
Here are just a few examples to show you how easy it is to enjoy little moments together…
Six to twelve months
Long before your baby can speak, they’re soaking up everything around them. In fact, even playing peek-a-boo for a few minutes means a lot.
They’re just like us – they love attention!
Try this: make bath time brilliant
As you’re gently washing your baby, tell them what part of their body you’re washing.
When they’re splashing, say “Splish, splash, splosh” in different, fun voices.
Keep some waterproof toys close by and name the toys as your baby plays with them – “Yellow duck is wet” or “Duck says quack”.
Encourage your baby to play with you by taking turns – splash the water and wait to see if they copy you.
If they don’t, that’s okay — they’re still having fun playing with you and hearing new words!
Find more great baby play tips here
One to two years
As your child starts to toddle, their world gets bigger but they still need you to show them the ropes.
Chatting encourages first words and little sentences, and helps them make friends of their own.
Try this: fun at teatime
Talk about what you’re doing while you’re cooking or eating to introduce new words.
It’s a great way to stay connected even if you need to concentrate on chopping and stirring, and you can get them to use all their senses.
See: “Look, these grapes are green.”
Taste: “This yoghurt is sweet.”
Feel: “This banana is squishy.”
Smell: “Mmm, that curry smells delicious!”
Hear: “Listen to these cornflakes – crunch, crunch, crunch!”
Find more easy everyday activities here
Two to three years
As first words become two or three words strung together, ask your toddler what they’re doing and what they can see, and make time to listen to their replies.
Add counting games and colour words to everyday activities like putting on clothes (“blue trousers”, “two socks”, “one, two, three, four buttons…”) to get that vocabulary really growing.
Try this: “on safari” at the park
Zone in to what your toddler is most interested in or curious about and make that something to talk about.
For example, if they notice a bird and say, “Bird,” you can build on that, saying, “Yes! The little bird is flying” or “The bird is singing”.
This helps them hear new words and learn how they fit together in sentences.
Then you can start to talk about different kinds of birds – how many can they spot?
Find more lovely learning moments here
Three to five years
Even as your child starts to say longer sentences and understands more of the world around them, there are still so many great new skills for them to master and ways to make the most of little moments together.
Try this: make storytime super
Next time you read a story, choose a book they know well and try acting out parts of it together.
For example, if the book talks about a tree, you could both pretend to be a tree, by waving your arms and fingers like branches and leaves in the wind.
Set the scene – make sounds like the wind, or birds in the tree, or rain falling.
You could even choose music you both like that might go with the story.
See if your child can help by filling in parts of the story and telling you what happens next, or ask them to imagine different endings of their own.
Find more great activities for under-fives here
Relax, have fun and rock their world
It’s easy to enjoy little moments together to help your baby learn and grow.
Discover more inspiring ideas and helpful how-to videos at nhs.uk/start-for-life
