Importance Of Play In Baby’s Development

Types of Plays for the Baby

Playing with the baby is more than to simply keeping them from crying. It has plenty of benefits which include bonding with them, learning what they like and what they don’t, and it helps parents understand their personality better, too.

However, playtime serves a bigger purpose in helping with the children’s development. Through simple activities like watching other people do tasks, or little friends play, the children learn how to interact with the world around them.

There are different types of plays to help them during their learning process. More often than not, they practice these types of games without even noticing. But, as parents, we know better, and we should always be ready to provide what they need.

The following are the most common types of play babies enjoy early on in their life.

1. Unoccupied Play

Undoubtedly, it is the most basic form of play for children at a very early stage of their life.

For this play, the babies move their bodies around as freely as they can. It is not a formal play as we know it, but they do it because they enjoy moving their body parts.

Keep in mind that the children are at a very young age when they start performing this play. There’s little to nothing we can do but to keep them safe, so make sure they are under a controlled environment while having their fun.

You also could add super baby-friendly toys.

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2. Solitary Play

One of the things parents often look forward to is seeing their children make little friends and play together. However, we should not push them.

In certain phases, the children will often want to play alone.

The intensity of solitary play depends on your children’s personality entirely. It can be very active, but also quiet. As you can see, they have plenty of fun during this play, while shedding some light on their personalities.

During this stage, the children get to know themselves, too. Once they figure who they are, and what they like, bonding with other children becomes easier.

For this play, you can provide books, train sets, cardboard boxes, etc.

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3. Onlooker Play

This play has the children observe other’s play, instead of them taking an active role in it.

While it is a rather inactive type of play, there are plenty of benefits that can improve your baby’s development. Watching other people play helps the children understand better how to bond with others, which will become essential during their early education process.

Nonetheless, it is not all about watching other kids play. As a parent, you can help them too. Allow them to watch your daily activities like house activities, as long as they are safe to have the children nearby.

If you have an older child, big brothers or sisters could take part in it, too.

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4. Parallel Play

A couple of months ago, my brother had his child over in our house. At first, he didn’t get along with my child, much to mine and my brother’s dismay.

One of those days I happily came across him and my boy playing next to each other. Surprised, I asked him what were they playing, and his response was that they weren’t playing. It was just him.

It turns out the children weren’t playing with each other. Instead, they just happened to be nearby when they were playing. On that day, we learned what parallel playing is.

Still, it was effective for them to start knowing and liking each other.

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5. Cooperative Play

It is a primal instinct to form bonds with other people, and that begins right during the infancy phase. Growing up, the children start noticing and are curious about other children, and that’s when cooperative play comes into work.

During this play, the child works together with other children to accomplish a common goal. Although it might seem very simple, your child will be learning the very basic knowledge of how society works.

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Final Words

After learning about the types of play and their importance in the baby’s development, you now have even more reasons to take time off the day to spend it with your little one.