A baby’s experience of the world comes from play — from the muscles she develops when you bounce her on your knee to the laws of science she glimpses when she dumps out the laundry. And play in these early years can’t happen without you.

In the beginning, you’re really all your baby needs. You’re his favorite play object — your hair is fascinating to touch and your big arms can hold him, swing him up high. A bit later, you’re his play partner as you help him with blocks or bells. Soon you’ll become the narrator of the stories he creates and acts out. No matter how many toys inhabit your child’s life, you remain an important part of his play.

Birth to 9 months: Settling in, starting out

What’s your baby up to? It may seem like not much, at first. Most of her time is spent sleeping or eating. But your presence calms her — the two of you are already communicating. Gradually she’ll focus more clearly and look around. The world is a pretty interesting place and she’s beginning to explore it, first with her eyes and by kicking with her feet, and later by reaching out and putting everything in her mouth. Once she’s able to sit, she loves to watch her fascinating big brother build with blocks or zoom around the room. Soon she will be mobile — she can roll from side to side and is starting to crawl. By nine months, she recognizes her name and chatters to herself in her own baby language. Perhaps she’s pulling herself up to stand. She loves to share a giggle with you. In her small way, she’s learning a lot — about herself and how her body works, about her family and her world.

Peekaboo! Sure, it’s silly fun. But to a baby, it’s magic. And it has a cognitive plus. For a young infant, when something disappears, it’s gone forever. Babies have to learn that objects (and people) have permanence and will come back.

Read to your baby. Even your really young baby loves to hear the sound of your voice. You may want to make a personalized book when he’s a bit older; fill a little album with photos of him and the people who love him.

Put on a show. In the early days, your baby’s more of a watcher than a player. When she’s happy, rested and fed, she’ll find you interesting as you chop veggies or wipe windows, blow bubbles, flick on a light switch, whistle, shake a container of rice — these are little miracles to a baby. Tell your baby what you’re doing and say her name often.

Water is a wonderful material to explore. You may want to get into a warm, shallow tub with your baby while she splashes and plays. A little puddle on her high-chair tray is fun to splash in too!

Safe chewable toys are interesting as your baby learns how to reach for and hold onto objects.

Soon your baby will be able to entertain himself (just a bit). When he shakes a rattle (at first it’s just the reflex of his hand moving), it makes a noise and he learns he can make something happen — that’s cause and effect. Your child is figuring out (in a small way) that he can have an impact on the world.

Set up an unbreakable mirror so your baby can see the constantly changing picture there. When he moves his hand, that other baby does too. Don’t forget to talk about the lovely face in the mirror.

Tickle poems like This Little Piggy and Round and Round the Garden help your baby learn about her body and how it works (that spot under her chin is very tickly!).

Your baby learns through all her senses, including touch, so let her experience novel textures like bumpy cardboard, silky fabric, soft plush, crackly paper, cool metal.

Lie your baby tummy down on a big exercise ball and rock her very gently — she’ll love the soothing supportive motion.

Babies love to hear music and they learn how their little bodies work when they bounce and move to the beat.

Provide your baby with a little inspiration to move forward. As he begins to crawl, put a favourite toy a foot or two away.

Your baby has places to go and things to see! First, though, he’s going to walk, and that takes energy and determination. He can probably pull himself up and hold onto the furniture, or he may be walking with help from you (or will be soon). He may even want to tackle the stairs! He’s stronger, more coordinated and can study a toy — and then throw it. He’s trying out sounds and perhaps he can say “bye-bye” or “mama.” By 18 months, he’ll be a good walker with more words. It all means wonderful new play opportunities.