The Role of Play for Newborn Child Development: Playing at 0-6 Months

by Dr. Amanda Gummer View Bio

Dr. Amanda Gummer

Amanda has over 20 years experience working with children and families. Widely considered as THE go to expert on play, toys and child development, Amanda combines her theoretical knowledge with a refreshingly pragmatic approach to family life, that resonates both with parents and professionals.

Her book ‘Play’ was published in May 2105 and has already been translated into two different languages.

Amanda is regularly in the media, and continues to take an active role in research. She is often involved in government policy around children’s issues, rand is a member of two All Party Parliamentary Groups.

Amanda ran the research consultancy FUNdamentals for 10 years before combining that with the Good Toy Guide, and the Good App Guide to create Fundamentally Children, the UK’s leading source of expert, independent advice on child development and play, supporting children’s industries with research, insight and endorsement.

Adjusting to a new addition in the family can make it a challenge for the overwhelmed parents to notice some of the more subtle signs of development associated with the first few months of life. The most noticeable development newborns have throughout the first six months is physical, which can be shown through regaining birth weight and strengthening muscles. However, cognitive, emotional and social skills are also being developed at this time. Instead of missing these precious milestones, help encourage them through the power of play!

“The most noticeable development during the first 6 months is physical, but cognitive, emotional and social skills are also introduced at this time.”

Incorporate some playful activities into your day to stimulate social skills such as eye contact and attachment. Keep the activities to a maximum of five minutes at a time to avoid over stimulating your baby. Try out some of these quick and easy play ideas below to get started!

1. Simple activities like peek-a-boo, letting your baby see their reflection in the mirror or even just being a chatter box and talking out loud helps to strengthen emotional attachment as well as voice recognition.


2. Encourage early smiles on your baby’s face by making funny faces while maintaining eye contact. Smiling back at your child when they flash that grin offers positive feedback to the reaction and will promote more of that behavior.


3. Use music to help calm an overexcited or fractious baby. The swinging and swaying movements of dancing will help promote balance and coordination, while singing will introduce your child to their first stages of communication and language.


4. During the first few weeks of life, the baby’s vision is still developing so try and pick out color contrasting toys to create a stimulating environment.


5. Allow your baby to develop the ability to track movement while also awakening their sensations by blowing bubbles and having them pop on their tummies, or letting them feel different types of fabrics.


6. Help your baby learn to associate sounds with the look of an object by filling empty bottles with different household items such as marbles or sunflower seeds. Shaking all your homemade rattles will awaken your baby’s sensory skills.

The first few months of a baby’s life is an adjustment for both parents and babies, and are rarely without challenges. It is important for your baby that you are able to look after yourself while maintaining a positive playful environment. As long as you are feeling healthy and calm, you will be able to provide a healthy role model for your baby to copy and learn from.

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