Social games from about 9 months

These games should help baby’s communication and social skills.

• The Drummer

Line up several pots, pans and bowls and show your baby how to hit these with a wooden spoon. Your baby learns that different shapes, sizes and materials make different noises. It will probably take a while until she can bang with both hands but it is good experience in co-ordination. Once this has been mastered you can then have a ‘pan band’ concert to show off this new skill.

• Thank You

Give your baby a toy that she knows and say “Here You Are,” after a short while put your hands out and say “Please can I have it back?” When baby gives the toy back to you, say “Thank you”. From this exercise baby learns to share as well as to say please and thank you.

• Memory

You will need three plastic bowls and a little toy. Put all the bowls upside down and hide the toy under one of them and ask your baby where the toy is. When she is a little older you can hide a different toy under each bowl and ask her to find a specific object. Don’t forget, it is more important to have fun with this game rather than finding the correct object.

12 months

Rolling a Ball

This game helps the concentration. Sit opposite your baby with your legs open. Roll the ball towards baby and encourage her to roll it back. You can gradually expand the distance from each other. Whilst in this position you can try another game: put your feet against your child’s feet and go ‘cycling’