Babies Can Play Too!

When we think of play in the early years, preschoolers and kindergarteners usually come to mind first. But play begins at 0 months old. Infants are already building the foundations of learning long before they can say the word "play." It just looks different for them.

So what does play look like for a baby? Not flashcards or structured activities. It's your baby mouthing a wooden ring for the tenth time, dropping their spoon off the high chair again and again, or staring intently at shadows on the wall. To us, it looks random. To them, it's serious work.

I'll also cover common play schemas — repetitive patterns that reveal what your baby is currently obsessed with learning. Think dropping (trajectory), covering and uncovering (enclosure), or moving things from place to place (transporting). Once you understand schemas, "mischief" becomes a little scientist testing hypotheses about how the world works.

I'll share practical, budget-friendly materials safe for baby-led play — silicone whisks, wooden spoons, fabric scraps, safe mirrors. No expensive toys needed. Most importantly, we'll talk about trusting your baby as the driver of their own learning, and stepping back to observe rather than direct.